Community Connect Crafter’s Program
Johns Hopkins crafter’s license program, known as Community Connect, provides crafters with an opportunity to use their creativity without infringing the university’s trademarks, while still allowing the university to maintain the integrity of its brand. Local entrepreneurs may also use Community Connect to test the market before entering into a broader retail license with the university through its licensing agent, CLC. This license is ideal for fans and alumni who are interested in producing small quantities of merchandise.
Benefits
Officially Licensed Certificate: Crafters, once approved, will be provided with an “Officially Licensed” certificate to use at craft fairs, on webpages, etc. when selling products, letting customers know you’re selling officially licensed products.
Additional benefits of joining Community Connect are:
- You’ll be legally permitted to produce and sell handmade products using the university brand.
- You’ll have access to our official logo files.
- You’ll have access to our licensing portal where you’ll find all artwork, guidelines, resources, and updates from staff at CLC and the university’s licensing department.
- You’ll get hands-on help with adhering to the university’s branding guidelines. Your artwork and project will be reviewed and approved by the university. If changes are needed to meet the university’s brand guidelines, we’ll walk you through it step-by-step!
- You will not be charged crafters a royalty fee (based on sales), but a flat service fee of $150 annually.
Products
Items that are unique, handmade, and of an underrepresented category are encouraged. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The university reserves the right to reject an application for crafters requesting rights to produce goods outside of the spirit of the crafter’s program, or for any other reason. All products produced under the university’s Community Connect program must meet the university’s brand guidelines.
This license allows for sales to individual consumers only, and does not allow for wholesale or third-party vendor/distributor sales. All items must be approved by the university’s licensing department prior to listing or displaying for sale. Items and artwork should be submitted through the Community Connect portal. Samples may be required for some items. Craftspeople can sell products at the following locations, so long as crafter contact information is provided and the license certificate is displayed:
- Craft shows
- Farmers markets
- Festivals
- Flea markets
- Fairs
- Limited online sites (personal website or crafter-hosted websites, i.e. Etsy)
- Artisan/co-op shops
- Distribution via events such as events organized by church, school, county, or state
Please note that, in accordance with university policy, no solicitation of sales may be made on campus at tailgate events.
The university may, at its discretion, promote participants in the Community Connect program, with mutual agreement in advance.
Artwork Approval
All crafters will need to submit proposed artwork for all products for approval prior to production and sale of the item. Artwork will be submitted through the crafter’s portal, where the university’s licensing office will review the submissions and provide approval or edit requests. Licensees will be given instructions for this process upon approval of their application.
Application FAQ’s
Who is eligible?
Participants in the university’s Community Connect crafter’s program are artisans, craftspeople, and creatives who make items without mass-manufacturing processes. They may be small businesses, or they may be individuals. Many types of crafters are welcome in the Community Connect program. Crafters applying to Community Connect are encouraged to contribute goods to the university’s community market that are not otherwise available through our traditional standard retail partners (e.g. T-shirts, etc.).
How can I apply?
To apply, go to Direct Licensing Hub: login.directlicensinghub.com/
Click “Apply for license.”
The university’s licensing office and CLC will review the application and products for approval. If approved, the crafter will be notified by CLC.
There is a $150 annual licensing fee. The Community Connect license is good for one calendar year (Jan-Dec). No mail applications will be reviewed.
What are the fees?
The university’s Community Connect crafters license has a $150 up-front annual fee for participation. Crafters are allowed to sell up to 500 units or $2,500 in sales revenue annually. No other fees will be charged to Community Connect participants. If a crafter in the Community Connect program exceeds 500 units or $2,500 in sales in the term of their license, CLC will help the crafter convert to a standard level license through the University’s retail license program.
Contact
Please email [email protected] for additional information and questions regarding the portal or application process.