DWB was founded in Kampala, Uganda in 2001 in response to the need for assistance at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts. Incorporated in 2002 as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt non-profit in the State of Oregon, DWB continues to deliver technology, instruction, and design consulting to schools and select non-profits.

Designers Without Borders has a number of partners in Africa. They assist them with donations of equipment, books, and software. They also offer instruction and curriculum development. Sometimes they help with building. Other times they just serve lunch. Whatever the need, they believe in providing access to communication.

DWB also does design consulting for a variety of at-need organizations. Whether print or web, logo or brand development, communal or institutional, they provide quality solutions for community-based organizations' communication needs.