Rustandy Center

Which student-led social impact ventures will win over $400,000 in startup capital? Join us in person or online tomorrow, May 27, for the 16th annual John Edwardson '72, Social New Venture Challenge Finals. Register today >> ms.spr.ly/6016vVT1q

11 student-led ventures are competing for the 16th annual John Edwardson, ’72, Social New Venture Challenge Audience Choice Award. Who will you vote for? 🚀 Watch the startup pitches and cast your vote. Voting closes on May 27, 1 p.m. CT. >> ms.spr.ly/6011vnJ1T

We are excited to announce the finalists of the 2026 John Edwardson, ’72 Social New Venture Challenge. The seven teams will pitch their social ventures to a panel of distinguished judges and compete for $400,000 in prize money on Wednesday, May 27. Read: ms.spr.ly/6017vpsPz

Help us get to #SOCAP26! Please vote for our session proposal featuring the Impact-First Investing Tool, developed by the Rustandy Center at @ChicagoBooth and the Social Finance Institute. Vote by April 26: ms.spr.ly/6014vB72g

#UChicagoGivingDay is here! Right now, you can help us unlock more than $100,000 in challenge funds before noon CT on April 1. Will you consider supporting #socialimpact at the Rustandy Center to unlock funding for research and programs? Give today: ms.spr.ly/6015QtHEc.

On March 31, you’re invited to participate in #UChicagoGivingDay, a 24-hour generosity initiative encouraging our community to give back. Will you support #socialimpact at the Rustandy Center to unlock funding for research and programs? Give today >> ms.spr.ly/6018QWA66

We are thrilled to announce that 20 mission-driven University of Chicago teams have advanced to Phase II of the 2026 John Edwardson, ’72, Social New Venture Challenge (Edwardson SNVC). Learn more about the student-led social ventures >> ms.spr.ly/6014QRpkG

The 2024-25 academic year was another year of success, growth, connection, and impact. Here are some of our favorite moments from our Year in Review. We are excited to share the highlights of another impactful year at the Rustandy Center. Thank you for your continued support!

As part of the Rustandy Center’s Civic Chicago program, Booth students spent the afternoon touring the Green Era Campus, a nine-acre former brownfield that was transformed into an organic waste facility that processes 55 million tons annually into compost and natural gas.

Community, connection, and donuts were the themes of the night for a group of Rustandy Center Golub Capital Board Fellows who attended a performance of Superior Donuts, put on by Golub Capital Board Fellows nonprofit partner the Artistic Home.

The Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation presented the Best Social Impact Product award and $1k to Tanda—a fintech product that brings older generations into the digital age—at BoothHacks, Booth’s first-ever hackathon. Thank you to everyone who supported the event.

Kwema is addressing workplace violence against frontline workers in healthcare. The safety technology company is the fifth company in the student-managed Steven Tarrson Impact Investment Fund’s portfolio. ms.spr.ly/6011tTTkH

Moxi is a tech-enabled platform that offers membership-based childcare centers and blends high-quality care with coworking and wellness amenities, and is the fourth company in the student-managed Steven Tarrson Impact Investment Fund’s portfolio. ms.spr.ly/6014triUE

Eric Weinheimer, MBA ’94, senior vice president and philanthropic strategist at Bank of America Private Bank, shared insights from the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy and strategies nonprofits can employ to more effectively reach affluent donors.

At the Rustandy Center’s Perspectives on Sustainability event, Gabriel Presler, MBA/MPP ’05, global head of enterprise sustainability for Morningstar, discussed the strategy behind Morningstar’s Corporate Sustainability Report, how Booth students can drive real impact, and more.

The Rustandy Center kicked off our 2025-26 Golub Capital Board Fellows Program with an introductory breakfast, welcoming students, board directors, and nonprofit leaders to connect, share ideas, and set goals for the exciting six months ahead.

Prateek Raj broke down his five rules from his new book Atypical: Five Strategy Rules for a New World. He highlights empathy, relationship building, innovation, and the exploration of atypical sources as the keys to successful leadership in an evolving world.

Co-hosted with @RustandyCenter, this conference convenes researchers across economics, sociology, law, behavioral science, healthcare, and AI to advance dialogue on discrimination. Organizers: Marianne Bertrand, Alex Imas, Conrad Miller & Pietro Veronesi.

Service has been a theme in the career of Ben Backsmeier, MBA ’24—first as an active-duty officer in the Army, and now as chairman of Orion Military Scholars, a nonprofit that supports military families. Read more about his passion for helping others. ms.spr.ly/6011tMBeX

Thank you to everyone who attended The Rustandy Center’s Civic Chicago South Side bike tour. Students had the opportunity to bike around and explore Chicago's historic South Side and learn about the economic and social history of the neighborhood.