5 creative teams + 5 worthy nonprofits = 24-hours of making a difference.
During a 24-hour creative marathon, professional designers, illustrators, and writers volunteer their skills to guide, advise, and revamp 5 local nonprofits through pro bono projects. Check out a recap of last year’s CreateAthon.
Local Nonprofits
Selected nonprofits receive pro bono professional design and marketing work to expand their reach. Joining this year’s CreateAthon will help organizations:
Expand their donors
Engage their community
Hone their message
Highlight their cause
Participating Nonprofits this year include:
Archaeology in the Community Committed to promoting the study and public understanding of archaeology. Archaeology in the Community offers educational programs and hands-on learning to engage young people and make the field of archaeology accessible to everyone.
Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center works to build community and cultural enrichment by serving as a neighborhood hub. They provide arts-related opportunities for residents, celebrating and amplifying local talent, especially in Wards 7 and 8.
Critical Exposure Dedicated to youth empowerment and social justice through photography. Critical Exposure train marginalized young people to use their art and storytelling to advocate for change in their schools and communities and shift power dynamics.
The Heart Leaf Center The Heart Leaf Center provides essential mental and behavioral health services, specializing in high-quality play therapy for children and families. Their mission is to offer a safe, therapeutic, and clinically sound environment to help children process trauma and anxiety.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company focuses on performance art and theater, producing new, audacious plays that challenge audiences. They champion radical inclusion and artistic bravery, aiming to be a catalyst for urgent social conversations in the D.C. arts community.
Nonprofit applications close on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.
Professional Volunteers
Volunteer creatives and strategists will work with like-minded professionals to brainstorm, create, and serve our local community. CreateAthon provides volunteers with networking opportunities, a sense of purpose, and an impressive portfolio piece.
Thank you for your overwhelming interest in volunteering for AIGA DC’s CreateAthon 2025!
Due to the extraordinary number of talented applicants this year, we have reached our maximum capacity for volunteer teams. The application period is now officially closed.
We are truly grateful for the enthusiasm and willingness of the DC creative community to donate their time and skills. If you were not selected for a team this year, we encourage you to stay involved with AIGA DC and look for future volunteer opportunities, including CreateAthon 2026!
If you have additional questions, please contact Aprile Smith at asmith@dc.aiga.org.
Volunteer applications close Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
Sponsorship
Join us in supporting our community! AIGA DC’s annual CreateAthon is a 24-hour design marathon where creative professionals volunteer their skills to help local nonprofits with essential marketing and branding projects.
By becoming a sponsor, you can help us power this incredible event and get your brand in front of a dedicated audience of designers and creative leaders. We are currently seeking sponsors to provide refreshments to fuel our teams and swag to thank our amazing volunteers.
