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15 years of Watson Creative

15 years in. Giving creative work forward.

In 2027, Watson Creative is committing up to $50,000 in studio professional services to nonprofit projects that help communities thrive. We’re grateful to the people and organizations who have helped shape our first 15 years, and we want to put some of what we’ve learned to work alongside nonprofits doing meaningful work in their communities.

Nonprofits are part of our story.

A meaningful part of Watson Creative’s work has been with nonprofit organizations and causes. We understand the care and commitment this work takes, and we’re glad to keep contributing where we can.

Explore our work with causes and nonprofits
Empty lawn chair facing the Three Sisters mountains from a pine forest in Central Oregon

A milestone is a good time to give something back.

2027 marks 15 years of Watson Creative. We’ve reached this milestone because clients, collaborators, teammates, and communities have trusted us with work that matters. We’re grateful for that trust, and we want to mark the year by sharing some of what we’ve learned.

Across the country, nonprofits bring people together, help communities learn and thrive, protect places people care about, and create access to arts, the outdoors, and opportunity. They often know what needs to change and who it affects. Creative strategy, design, storytelling, and digital support can help turn that knowledge into a clear next step.

Watson Gives, ’27 will put our time and experience toward one or more focused nonprofit projects. We’ll listen, understand the challenge, and shape a practical scope with each selected organization. We hope the work helps move an important priority forward and leaves the organization with useful tools, ideas, or creative work to carry forward.

Apply now

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The offer at a glance

Up to $50,000 in service value

One or more organizations may be selected. Donated hours are tracked at Watson Creative’s normal role-specific rates against one shared program cap.

Studio professional services

This is not a cash grant. Printing, paid media, travel, software, hosting, and other outside costs are not included.

Nationwide eligibility

501(c)(3) public charities and charitable projects applying through a formal 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor may apply.

Special consideration

Arts and outdoor organizations will receive special consideration. Proposals from other community-serving nonprofits are welcome, too.

Applications close January 31, 2027

Finalists will be interviewed in late February and March. Selections will be announced in March, with scoping and work expected to begin at the start of Q2.

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Proposal categories

We welcome proposals from eligible nonprofits in any community-serving field. These are the areas we especially hope to hear from.

Priority areas

A young performer at a piano, a stage dancer mid-leap and a child with paint-covered hands

Arts, culture, and creative expression

Performing and visual arts, arts education, cultural organizations, community creativity, and work that makes participation in the arts more accessible.

A snowboarder hiking at dusk, a child holding a pink balloon in the woods and a volunteer carrying a bag of collected trash

Outdoors, conservation, and outdoor access

Outdoor recreation, conservation and stewardship, nature education, trail or public-land access, and work that helps more people experience and care for the outdoors.

Other welcome areas

Youth, education, and pathways

Programs that help young people learn, build confidence, access opportunity, or move toward education and work.

Health and community well-being

Public health, behavioral health, belonging, family support, and services that improve daily life.

Community connection and essential services

Neighborhood-serving organizations, food access, workforce development, housing stability, civic participation, and culturally specific community support.

Apply now

Why we’re doing this

As we mark 15 years, we want to put some of what we’ve learned to work for nonprofits doing meaningful work in their communities. The right strategy and creative support can help an organization explain its work, connect with people, and move an important priority forward. We’ll focus on projects we can serve well and scope work that is useful and achievable within 2027.

Two elephants face to face with their trunks touching

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What kinds of projects may fit

A focused project. A creative partnership.

The program can support a defined project that draws on Watson Creative’s capabilities. We’ll shape a practical scope with each selected organization.

Hands sketching design concepts

  • Research and strategy

    Primary qualitative or quantitative research, such as interviews and surveys; audience and stakeholder insight; positioning; messaging; strategic planning; and communications roadmaps.

  • Brand and design

    Brand strategy, identity development or refinement, visual systems, guidelines, templates, and campaign design.

  • Digital experience

    Website design and development, content structure, user experience, portals, online forms, CRM configuration, and donation-platform configuration.

  • Integrated campaigns and storytelling

    Campaign strategy, channel planning, narrative development, creative assets, awareness and participation campaigns, and fundraising strategy and campaign development.

  • Studio production

    Photography, video, motion design, animation, short-form edits, and social media assets, when they fit the project and scope.

Projects should have a clear need and an identifiable outcome. Ongoing monthly support and outside costs are not part of the offer.

Apply now

How we’ll choose

  • Community benefit

    Who will benefit, and what change could the work support?

  • A clear need

    Why does the project matter now?

  • Readiness

    Can the organization make decisions and give timely feedback?

  • Fit

    Can Watson Creative’s capabilities address the need well?

  • Feasibility

    Photography, video, motion design, animation, short-form edits, and social media assets, when they fit the project and scope.

  • Priority areas

    Arts and outdoor proposals receive special consideration.

Apply now

The decision belongs to Watson Creative’s team

Team members will review and vote on selections. Matt Watson, the company’s owner, will not vote, lobby for or against an applicant, or steer the conversation. This helps ensure that personal relationships do not carry extra weight and that every eligible proposal receives fair consideration on its merits.

Watson Creative Team

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Selection timeline

Here’s how the year will unfold

  1. Now through
    January 31, 2027

    Applications are open nationwide.

  2. Early February
    2027

    Watson Creative shares an updated MSA tailored to this nonprofit professional-services engagement.

  3. February
    2027

    The team reviews applications and identifies finalists for interviews.

  4. Late February
    through March

    We meet with finalists to understand their projects and fit, then vote on the final selections.

  5. March
    2027

    We announce the selected organization or organizations.

  6. Beginning of
    Q2 2027

    We expect project scoping and work to begin.

Have a project in mind?

Applications close January 31, 2027.

Apply to Watson Gives, ’27

We’re designers, writers, developers, marketers, filmmakers, strategists and musicians. We’re parents, mentors, volunteers, MBAs, and unapologetic dreamers anchored on the West Coast, united by a passion for design that’s as thrilling as the landscapes we inhabit.

PORTLAND

1001 SE Water Ave.
Portland, OR 97214

SAUSALITO

480 Gate 5 Rd.
Sausalito, CA 94965

BEND

2900 NW Clearwater Dr.
Bend, OR 97703

SEATTLE

408 North 35th St.
Seattle, WA 98103

Core Values

Integrity first.
Anticipate the need.
Every voice counts.
Innovate over invent.

Contact

[email protected]

(800) 280–3057