SCAD SERVE empowers SCAD students, faculty, and staff to make meaningful contributions through initiatives that improve the quality of life for communities in Atlanta and Savannah, SCAD’s hometowns. The initiative was pioneered by SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace as part of the university’s long legacy of giving and focuses on food, housing, clothing, education, safety, and sustainability.

During the most recent academic year, SCAD students have created design strategies and solutions through SCAD SERVE Design for Good courses for non-profits including American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House, Butler Street Community Development Corp, Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta, Nicholas House Atlanta and many others.

"For the 2024–25 academic year, our Design for Good courses supported projects with an estimated combined value exceeding $2 million,”said VP for SCAD SERVE Scott Linzey. “This milestone reflects the university’s deep commitment to applying student creativity to real-world challenges, delivering tangible benefits to communities and nonprofit partners across the country.” 

Interior Design, Design for Sustainability, and Architecture students designed buildings and spaces; Service Design, User Experience Research, and User Experience Design students produced strategies; Industrial design students developed innovative product prototypes. Other projects centered around storytelling, where students majoring in Immersive Reality, Film and Television, Illustration, Social Strategy and Management, Graphic Design, and Advertising and Branding helped nonprofits enhance their visibility and credibility within the community.

Jannan Thomas, executive director of Nicholas House Atlanta said, “We are incredibly grateful to the talented SCAD Serve students who brought creativity, compassion, and innovation to the interior design of our shelter renovation and rebuild. Their vision for a warm, welcoming, and functional environment that truly feels like home for the families we serve really captured the mission of our organization. Their dedication and artistry have made a lasting impact, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results!" 

In February 2025, the SCAD SERVE Community Fund awarded nearly $2 million in grants to nonprofits in Savannah and Atlanta. These grants, ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, support initiatives in food, shelter, safety, and education.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said, “This investment underscores the power of strong, mutually beneficial partnerships between our city and institutions like SCAD, whose dedication to innovation and public service continues to make Savannah a better place for all. Together, we are building a safer, more connected, and more resilient community for all.”

SCAD SERVE Buzz Bus gifted hundreds of boxes full of art supplies to dozens of Atlanta and Savannah area schools. Staff and student volunteers worked directly with art educators to identify a wish list of creative supplies and artistic tools that would benefit the students - everything from paints and pencils to canvas and clay.  They spent time in the art classes - crocheting, painting, and sketching with the young artists.

Even on the last day of class, SCAD students were focused on giving. SCAD SERVE set up donation sites outside the residence hall to collect items students no longer needed. Small appliances, rugs, furniture, dishes, and clothing went directly to the Goodwill of Southeast Georgia. Donations from 3,400 students totaled more than 50,000 pounds, more than double that was collected last year.

Said Parker Kitchens, Manager of Donation Acquisition and Community Impact for Goodwill Southeast Georgia, “The amount of Mission Impact we will be able to support in our community from this event alone is amazing. The goods donated and resold from these 3,000+ donors allows us to provide single mothers with childcare support, provide transportation, fund GED programs, and provide job training.”

In addition, more than 3,000 pounds of non-perishable food was donated to the Salvation Army.