named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
#WhyBeOriginal Campaign
Public awareness initiative highlighting the cultural and economic value of original design and the harms of knockoffs
Be Original Americas Student Fellowship
Educational initiative supporting emerging design talent through funding and mentorship, supported by corporate partners' sales contributions
How to Spot a Knockoff Guide
Educational resource teaching consumers how to identify authentic designer furniture and avoid counterfeit products
Next Generation of Originality Award
Recognition program honoring emerging designers who demonstrate commitment to authentic, original design
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Design and Architecture Education Support 2 activities
- Funding student fellowships and educational initiatives through product salesFunds the Be Original Americas Student Fellowship and other educational programs through a portion of sales from specific products, including the Panthella Portable Lamp, SKY water bottle, and Obscura Collection.
- Supporting emerging design talent through a student fellowship programOperates the Be Original Americas Student Design Fellowship to support and develop emerging talent in the design field.
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 1 activity
- Conducting educational initiatives on authentic designOffers continuing education units (CEU) courses accredited by AIA and IDCEC, events, and programming to educate architects, interior designers, manufacturers, and consumers about the value of original design.
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Professional Job Board & Career Placement Services 1 activity
- Operating a job board for the authentic design sectorMaintains a job board to connect member companies in the authentic design industry with job seekers, supporting employment and workforce development in the sector.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Organizing events and programs for community engagementHosts annual meetings, co-hosts design events such as WantedDesign Academy 04, and organizes panel discussions at industry events like ICFF to engage the design community and share professional insights.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Advocating for the seizure of counterfeit goods at U.S. bordersCollaborates with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to intercept counterfeit goods, supporting the seizure of 38 shipments, 17,835 pieces of replica furniture, and $30.3 million worth of counterfeit goods in 2019, protecting an estimated 8,000 American jobs.
- Developing coordinated infrastructure for Scandinavian design distributionBuilds and operates a multi-brand, integrated commercial and operational platform in the United States to distribute Scandinavian design across North America, including shared infrastructure and reliable supply chains for long-term brand endurance.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$166K
Contributions & grants$166K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$185K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead100%
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$83K
Cash$83K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$83K
Liquid reserves5.4 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -17.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 10
- AMY AUSCHERMAN — DIRECTOR
- CASEY BAXTER — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS PAULSEN — DIRECTOR
- JOHN CHRISTAKOS — DIRECTOR
- KENNETH BAKER — DIRECTOR
- KIM LAND — DIRECTOR
- ODILE HAINAUT — DIRECTOR
- PAOLO ILLUECA — DIRECTOR
- RICHARDO NABHOLZ — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT SARGENT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- AIA Government — Approved provider of continuing education units (CEUs) for architects.
- AIA Network — Offers CEU-accredited courses recognized by AIA
- Be Original Americas Network — Member organization advocating for authentic design within its sector.
- Be Original Americas Network — Recognized as a recipient of the Next Generation of Originality Award and part of a community of design studios.
- BluDot Partner — Admired brand with potential for future collaboration, cited as an inspirational member of the Be Original Americas community.
- DANSK Government — Reference to Erik Rosendahl's leadership experience at DANSK as formative to the operational philosophy of Be Original Americas.
- DWR Partner — Admired brand with potential for future collaboration, cited as an inspirational member of the Be Original Americas community.
- FLOS Partner — Admired brand with potential for future collaboration, cited as an inspirational member of the Be Original Americas community.
- Georg Jensen Partner — Donates a portion of sales of the SKY water bottle to support the Be Original Americas Student Design Fellowship in 2022.
- Heartwork Partner — Collaborated on a feature about made-in-the-USA design and craftsmanship.
- IDCEC Government — Approved provider of continuing education units (CEUs) for interior designers.
- IDCEC Network — Offers CEU-accredited courses recognized by IDCEC
- Landscape Forms Partner — Collaborated on content emphasizing authenticity in design.
- Lissoni NY Partner — Partnered on a feature discussing the importance of originality in design.
- Louis Poulsen Partner — Donates a portion of online sales of the Panthella Portable Lamp to support the Be Original Americas Student Fellowship and educational initiatives.
- LouisPoulsen Partner — Admired brand with potential for future collaboration, cited as an inspirational member of the Be Original Americas community.
- MillerKnoll Partner — Admired brand with potential for future collaboration, cited as an inspirational member of the Be Original Americas community.
- Rosendahl Design Group US Partner — Featured in educational content on identifying original designs.
- Skyline Design Partner — Donates a portion of sales from the Obscura Collection to fund the 2022 Be Original Americas Student Fellowship.
- Stellar Works USA Partner — Partner company posting a job opening through Be Original Americas' job board.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Government — Collaborates to stop counterfeit designs from entering the market.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Government — Partnership to intercept counterfeit goods at U.S. borders and protect intellectual property.
- WantedDesign Partner — Co-hosted the WantedDesign Academy 04 event on design archive and brand heritage.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Design as a Driver of Sustainable and Intentional Livingmethodology: sustainable-design-impactBy promoting original, intentional design, the organization advances environmental sustainability and improved quality of life, because durable, thoughtfully crafted products reduce waste and foster emotional engagement with everyday environments, shaping positive daily habits and long-term value.
- Education-Based Advocacy for Authentic Designmethodology: education-based_advocacyBy educating consumers, media, and design professionals about the value of authentic design, the organization produces cultural and industry change that reduces demand for counterfeits and increases investment in originality, because informed stakeholders are more likely to value and protect intellectual property.
- Enforcement Partnership to Protect Original Designmethodology: enforcement-partnershipBy collaborating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the organization prevents counterfeit goods from entering the U.S. market, thereby protecting intellectual property and domestic innovation, because legal and operational enforcement reduces market saturation of knockoffs and strengthens incentives for original creators.