The Kellogg Board Fellows program began in 2003 to train the next generation of civic leaders through academic coursework, board service, and fellowship. The Golub Capital Social Impact Awards recognize Board Fellows for two types of impact: meaningful change for nonprofit partners and powerful lessons for future students.
THE EMPOWER AWARD
The Empower awards recognize two projects each year that have (or will have) made an outstanding impact on the nonprofit partner. Impact, in this context, is broadly defined and can include everything from immediate benefits to long-term strategies.
- Each winning nonprofit partner receives $5,000
- Each winning Fellow receives $5,000 (Note: If the Fellow wishes to donate any portion of their award to the nonprofit partner, arrangements will be made in advance to facilitate the gift.)
- Both winning pairs will be recognized at the Board Fellows year-end celebration
CRITERIA
Empower awards will be judged according to the following criteria:
- Significance of the impact (or potential impact) resulting from the project (50%)
- Nonprofit's commitment to implementing the Fellow's recommendations (30%)
- Strength of relationship between the Fellow and nonprofit staff and Board (20%)
Note: evaluation criteria do NOT include nonprofit partner mission, size, or sophistication; the number of projects undertaken; or the project's duration or timing.
JUDGING
The application process will include two rounds:
- All applications will be screened by a committee of alumni, staff, and faculty reviewers.
- A designated panel of judges will review the finalists' applications and hear presentations to determine the winners. Honorable mentions may be awarded at the judges' discretion.
ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All Board Fellows currently enrolled in SSIM 471_Advanced Board Governance are eligible to apply. The program director will determine the eligibility of Fellows with unique circumstances (e.g., early graduation). Empower award applicants must submit the following:
- completed application form
- final project deliverable
- letter of support from their nonprofit partner.
All application materials will be uploaded to Submittable. Documents must be in PDF format.
TIMELINE
Applications are due by 11:59 pm on March 31st.
Finalists will be announced by email on April 15th.
Finalists will present to the panel of judges the week of April 22nd.
Winners will be announced at the Board Fellows Year-End Celebration on May 8th.
QUESTIONS
Don't hesitate to contact boardfellows@kellogg.northwestern.edu with questions about the application process.
The Kellogg Board Fellows program began in 2003 to train the next generation of civic leaders through academic coursework, board service, and fellowship. The Golub Capital Social Impact Awards recognize Board Fellows for two types of impact: meaningful change for nonprofit partners and powerful lessons for future students.
THE WISDOM AWARD
The Wisdom award celebrates lessons learned during the Fellow's board service. Whether or not a project met its original objectives, the Fellow walks away with a changed perspective on civic leadership, board service, and/or leadership style. This award will go to the Fellow who writes the most compelling case study about their board experience.
To write a compelling case study, first consider what the critical questions or lessons were from your experience. Case studies typically start with a story or description of a moment that sets up those question or lessons. The case is then comprised of sections that describe the context, the organization, and the key challenge. The challenge should include enough information for the students to grapple with the issues and come away with the intended lesson.
The winning Fellow receives up to $1,500 and the opportunity to serve as a guest speaker in the class when their case is taught.
CRITERIA
The Wisdom award will be judged according to the following criteria:
- Potential impact of the case study on future students (75%)
- Professional, clear, and engaging writing (25%)
Note: evaluation criteria do NOT include nonprofit partner mission, size, or sophistication; the number of projects undertaken; or the project's duration or timing.
JUDGING
The application process will include two rounds:
- All applications will be screened by a committee of alumni, staff, and faculty reviewers.
- A designated panel of judges will review the finalists' applications and hear presentations to determine the winners. Honorable mentions may be awarded at the judges' discretion.
ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All Board Fellows currently enrolled in SSIM 471_Advanced Board Governance are eligible to apply. The program director will determine the eligibility of Fellows with unique circumstances (e.g., early graduation).
Wisdom award applicants must submit the following:
- completed application form
- written case study
TIMELINE
Applications are due by 11:59 pm on March 31.
Finalists will be announced by email on April 15th.
Finalists will present to the panel of judges the week of April 22nd.
Winners will be announced at the Board Fellows Year-End Celebration on May 8th.
QUESTIONS?
Don't hesitate to contact boardfellows@kellogg.northwestern.edu with questions about the application process.
Kellogg Social Entrepreneurship Award
Amount: $70,000
# Students Awarded: 1
Application Deadline: April 21, 2024
Interviews: TBD MAY
Description: The Kellogg Social Entrepreneurship Award allows students to use their business knowledge to make a positive social impact. Each year, one Kellogg student is awarded $70,000 to support their work in the development of a social venture post-graduation.
Eligibility:
- Students must be willing to pursue their endeavor full time upon graduation.
- The business entity may take any legal form, but must be independent and still in the startup phase.
- The central mission of the venture must be oriented to have a social impact.
- Students must be completing their MBA degree within the 2024 calendar year.
Kellogg Social Entrepreneurship Awardees are additionally eligible to apply for both Loan Assistance Awards and, if employment status meets the program guidelines, the Collins Loan Assistance Program.
Criteria for Selection:
- Does the venture have a clear path to self-sustainability?
- Will the venture create significant social impact?
- Does the venture address a root cause or deliver enduring benefit?
- Is the approach innovative, unique or a significant improvement to existing approaches?
- Does the leadership have a clear idea & implementation strategy? Can they execute?
- Is there a demonstrated viable scaling plan?
- Has the leader demonstrated commitment to the idea and venture?
- Is the leadership well-positioned for success?
Students planning to work in social impact post-graduation can apply for funding to help pay down a significant portion of their Kellogg student debt over two years. (Includes continuing work on your own social impact venture full-time, OR working for a social impact organization, social enterprise, or nonprofit).
Awards are typically between $20k-$75k.
Applications will be accepted through April 21, 2024. If selected for the second round, interviews will take place in May.
The Social Impact Loan Assistance Awards are separate from the Collins Family Loan Assistance Program (LAP), and from the Kellogg Social Entrepreneurship Award. Students who are eligible can apply for all 3 awards, and each award has a separate application process. Please review the post-graduation awards page on the Social Impact website for more details.