The Design Sprint Challenge
During Spring of 2023, the UGA Social Incubator is hosting a design sprint as part of a grant awarded by the US Department of Health and Human Services. The design sprint will task each participating team to identify an outreach campaign to increase the awareness and claiming of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) among low income to moderate income Clarke County residents. Teams will present this outreach proposal to a team of judges. Ultimately, the winning team’s outreach campaign will be implemented in Athens-Clarke County.
Your Opportunity
Practice (or acquire) design thinking expertise
Gain experiential learning credit for graduation
Make a real difference in the lives of Athens Clarke County residents
Compete to earn some serious $$$
Prizes awarded:
$2,000 for First Place Team
$1,000 for Second Place Team
$500 for Third Place Team
The Design Sprint
In a design sprint, a team designs a novel solution to a meaningful problem. Using design thinking, the team works to develop empathy, define a need, ideate, prototype and test. Ultimately the team communicates the need they discovered and their idea to address it through a compelling story. A sprint is a terrific opportunity to practice your design thinking skills or to learn about the design thinking process.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Challenge
The earned income tax credit is a tax break for low to moderate income families that provides many families a way to reduce their overall tax burden or, in some cases, increase a refund. Yet many low income individuals and families do not take advantage of the EITC. In fact, $5 to $15 million goes unclaimed each year in Athens Clarke County. The Department of Health and Human Services would like to get more of this money into the hands of qualified households so it can have its intended purpose of improving their financial wellness.
Your Task
Assemble a team of 2 to 4 students (or let us know that you would like help finding a team)
Apply to be part of the Sprint
Participate in five 90-minute exercises
Complete your design
Present your design to the judges
Claim your prize (if you win, of course)
Getting Started
Contact us if you have any questions
Register
Attend the Kickoff Meeting on March 14th