The 2023-24 academic year was one marked by impact at the #RustandyCenter, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Read the Year in Review to view the accomplishments that many of you were involved in over the past 12 months: ms.spr.ly/6010UKv4Y #UChicago #ChicagoBooth

On March 25, you’re invited to participate in #UChicagoGivingDay, a 24-hour generosity initiative encouraging our community to give back. Will you consider supporting #socialimpact at the Rustandy Center to unlock funding for research and programs? ms.spr.ly/6012qPkQE

#UChicagoGivingDay is here. Right now, you can help us unlock up to $325,000 in challenge funds before noon CT on March 26. Will you consider supporting #socialimpact at the Rustandy Center to unlock funding for research and programs? To give, visit ms.spr.ly/6012qeFo6

Booth received $14 million in gift commitments from The University of Chicago trustee John Edwardson, MBA ’72, and Fran Edwardson for the Civic Scholars Program. The Edwardson Civic Scholars Program supports students committed to impact-driven public or nonprofit careers. ms.spr.ly/6010Sd0ek

Vote for your favorite The University of Chicago social venture startup. 15 teams are competing for the Edwardson 15th SNVC Audience Choice Award. Watch their pitches at bit.ly/SNVC2025ACA and submit your vote here: bit.ly/SNVC2025VOTE. #SNVC #socialentrepreneurs #socialinnovation

See The University of Chicago social entrepreneurs in action. Tune in on 5/28 to the 15th annual John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge hosted by the @rustandycenter and Polsky Center at the University of Chicago. Register: bit.ly/SNVC2025 #ChicagoNVC #SNVC

Chicago Booth is thrilled to announce the latest cohort of Edwardson Civic Scholars. Meet the rising leaders in #socialimpact and learn more about the Edwardson Civic Scholars Program: ms.spr.ly/6013s4Q5v

Thank you to everyone who came together for the Edwardson Civic Scholars Program fall retreat this past weekend! It was an amazing few days of connection, reflection, and continued learning. #ChicagoBooth #EdwardsonCivicScholars #nonprofits

Congratulations to Sudhanshu Kaushik, Lorenza Ramirez, MBA ’25, and Puja Tripuraneni, who were selected for the 2025–26 Obama Foundation Leaders USA program. Read more about the 2025–26 Obama Foundation Leaders cohort: ms.spr.ly/6016sh9o2

The Steven Tarrson Impact Investment Fund is expanding its portfolio with two new investments: Kwema, a safety technology company that protects against workplace violence, & Moxi Childcare, a platform offering membership-based childcare centers. Learn more:ms.spr.ly/6018t6G2A

Congratulations to this year’s winners of the 12th Annual South Side Pitch. We were proud to name ChiBrations as the recipient of this year’s Rustandy Center Social Impact Award. ChiBrations is an app centralizing performing artists around Greater Chicago.

Introducing the 2025 Tarrson Fellows. Get to know the startups that are tackling pressing social or environmental challenges, from empowering women vendors in Kenya to accelerating volunteerism among young professionals. Click the link to learn more: ms.spr.ly/6018tBvu8

Congratulations to biotech startup Exactics—winner of the Rustandy Center’s John Edwardson, ’72, Social New Venture Challenge 2025 for receiving $250K from early-stage investment fund Tulane Ventures. Learn more: ms.spr.ly/6012tJDnw

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.

Co-hosted with Rustandy Center, 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

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.

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.

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.

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.