making an impact with design

 

WHO WE ARE

Savvy Giving by Design is a non-profit, national network of professional interior designers whose mission is to provide comfort, support, and healing to families with a child facing a medical crisis by transforming the interior spaces of their homes at no cost to them.

 

the impact of a new room

Helping children and their siblings feel at peace during dark times is at the heart of what we do. Each room is designed by a professional interior designer custom to the child’s unique needs to optimize both physical and emotional comfort. Since many children we help have compromised immune systems, are adjusting to new wheelchairs, or have other specialized needs, we focus on design details that are not only beautiful but also work with these needs.

Some of the considerations that go into a child’s new room include the use of both hard and soft surfaces that do not hold allergens, organic fabrics that are easy to clean, and products that are safe for all ages.

San Diego, CA room redesign
Charleston, SC room redesign
Tampa, FL room redesign

our story

Savvy Giving by Design was founded by Susan Wintersteen out of the desire to use her interior design experience to give back to her community.

The moment of inspiration came in 2014 when a local teen, Kasey Harvey, was diagnosed with cancer and was facing a full year of treatment. Eager to help but unsure how, Susan and her team of local contractors offered up their talents to makeover the teen's room at no cost to the family. Witnessing first-hand the relief and joy that this new space brought to Kasey and her family throughout her year-long treatment and recovery, Susan was inspired to keep going and extend her services to more families.

Equipped with a game plan to quickly and efficiently design fun, creative spaces that were also functional for children of all needs, Susan enlisted the help of professional designers in her network to volunteer their time. In 2015, Savvy Giving By Design was granted 501(c)(3) status and has continued to expand, impacting families across the country with new chapters nationwide. In 2019, Make-A-Wish and Savvy Giving by design partnered in San Diego to fulfill room wishes. Later that year, our partnership expanded to include all of our SGBD chapters nationally. We are honored to be the selected design nonprofit for Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic, Savvy Giving by Design added its Pop-Up Designer Program. This endeavor further extends SGBD services by facilitating partnerships between Savvy-trained designers and Make-A-Wish in neighborhoods where we don’t yet have an Affiliate Chapter. And in 2024, we launched two new programs to further deepen our commitment to serving children wherever they are: the Go to Your Room Box and the Design Coalition.

our team

Susan Wintersteen

Founder & President
SAVVY INTERIORS

Reisa Elden

Board Member
VERKADA

Megan Schirmacher

Program Director
SAVVY GIVING BY DESIGN

Alyce Lopez

Board Member
THE TRUE HOUSE

Kayla Kelsey

Treasurer
RESCUE BOOKS

Shannon Appel

Board Member
SAN ELIJO INTERIORS

Katheryne Willcuts

Sectretary

SGBD Web_Meet the Board-13.png

Susan Harvey

Family Liaison
SAVVY GIVING BY DESIGN

 the savvy giving by design process