Design of Annual Fundraising Mailer for NICU-Focused Nonprofit

The Cooper Steinhauser Foundation is seeking a skilled graphic design volunteer to help us create a polished, print-ready annual fundraising mailer.

Our foundation supports NICU families and staff through care packages, direct support, and advocacy—work that is deeply personal to us as parents who experienced the NICU firsthand. We are now at a stage where we are ready to elevate our fundraising efforts through a professionally designed direct mail piece.

This mailer will serve as a key tool in helping us grow donor support and expand our reach to more families in need.

This project is an opportunity to use your design skills to support families during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

The Cooper Steinhauser Foundation was created in honor of our son, Cooper, who spent his life in the NICU. What began as a deeply personal mission has grown into a nonprofit supporting families and healthcare teams across 16 hospitals and the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House.

Through our Cooper Cares program, we provide thoughtfully curated care packages to families at the start of their NICU journey—offering comfort, practical resources, and a reminder that they are not alone.

This mailer will play a critical role in helping us grow that impact.

Each care package costs approximately $100. A well-designed, compelling fundraising piece will directly translate into more families receiving support during an incredibly difficult time. It will also help us expand our Cooper Gives program, which funds meaningful resources for NICU staff and hospitals.

But beyond the numbers, the impact is deeply human.

It’s a parent opening a bag during one of the hardest days of their life and feeling seen.
It’s a nurse having additional resources to better support the families in their care.
It’s a moment of comfort, connection, and compassion when it’s needed most.

As a volunteer, your work will help bring that moment to life for families we may never meet—but who will feel the impact of your contribution in a lasting way.

This is more than a design project—it’s a chance to turn creativity into care.

We are approaching this project with a high level of preparation and clarity to ensure a smooth and rewarding experience for our volunteer partner.

Internally, we have full alignment on the purpose and importance of this mailer as a key step in strengthening our fundraising strategy. Our leadership team is fully bought in, and we are committed to prioritizing this project and implementing the final product immediately upon completion.

We have already completed much of the foundational work, including:

Finalized written content for the fundraising letter
Clear messaging and impact statements
A defined structure and layout inspired by an example mailer we admire
Brand direction, including tone, voice, and visual preferences

All materials will be organized and shared upfront so the designer can focus on what they do best—bringing the piece to life visually.

We are also committed to being highly responsive and collaborative partners. We will:

Provide timely, consolidated feedback
Be available for regular check-ins if helpful
Respect the volunteer’s time and expertise

Once complete, this mailer will be printed and distributed as part of our upcoming fundraising outreach to increase donor engagement and directly support the expansion of our Cooper Cares program.

This is not a “nice to have” project—it is a priority initiative that will be actively used to grow our impact.