February 2025 Newsletter
Summer Impact Internship Funding Application
Each summer, Business+Impact awards competitive grants for summer internships in the nonprofit or public sectors to MBAs and BBAs in the Ross School of Business as well as MPP students in the Ford School of Public Policy.
The application for these monetary awards has a first deadline of Wed, Mar. 12, and a final deadline of Wed, Apr. 16. Award decisions will be based on the level of need (taking into account other funding being received), consideration of the position, the organization’s impact, and the quality of the application.
Nonprofit Board Forum: Diversifying Funding Streams to Build Organizational Resilience
Tues, Mar. 11 @ 5:30-7 pm
Tauber Colloquium, Ross School of Business
The University of Michigan Nonprofit Board Fellowship program invites you to an engaging panel discussion with local nonprofit experts exploring innovative strategies for enhancing financial sustainability in today’s dynamic landscape. Attendees will learn practical approaches to broaden their nonprofit’s financial base, reduce dependency on single revenue streams, and build a more adaptable and robust organization. Dinner provided. Free parking available.
How is ESG Information Used by the Capital Market and Beyond
A Workshop
Wed, March 19 @ 5-6:30pm
Blau Hall, Blau Colloquium
Join Professor Gwen Yu for a workshop on capital markets usage for ESG. This session will explore how sustainability information is utilized by shareholders and other stakeholders. We will discuss demand-side pressures for sustainability and various engagement strategies. Additionally, we’ll examine how shareholders leverage their influence to encourage sustainable practices within companies.
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Impact Studio Prototyping and Partnerships!
The Impact Studio has kicked off 2025 by welcoming three new teams and focusing on an exciting milestone: prototyping! With eleven ventures returning from the previous semester and three new founders entering the mix, energy is running high. The prototyping flurry is in advance of Demo Day, an event on April 4th wherein all of the ventures will showcase their prototypes in the Ross Winter Garden.
University of Michigan Team Wins ESG Dilemma Challenge
The Alliance for Responsible Capitalism hosted its first annual ESG Dilemma Design Challenge, focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding ESG in the banking sector and co-sponsored by Comerica, Business+Impact and the Erb Institute. During the finals on Sat, Feb. 1, after blind judging, Team Capital Gains/Carbon Drains, made up entirely of Erb Institute MBA/MS students, won the competition and the first prize of $10,000.
PODCAST: Sustainability Education in Business
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross’ +Impact Studio interviews Xavier Blot, Professor of Climate Change and Energy Transition at Emlyon Business School. The session explores Professor Blot’s insights from responding to student protests and integrating climate and sustainability education into business schools in Europe.
Ross Events
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| Impact of an MBA on Women of Color Thurs, Feb. 20 @ Noon-1 pm Zoom |
Nominate for Ross DEI Awards Mar. 7 and Mar. 23 Deadlines |
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| Women Who Win Thurs, Mar. 13 @ 4:30-9:30 pm Robertson Auditorium |
Detroit Initiative Conference Save the Date March 14 in Detroit! |
SPOTLIGHT
Brianna Brazell (MBA/MS ’17)
Brianna Brazell (MBA/MS ’17) has parlayed her dual degree into a career in workforce development with a focus on Detroit. While an “Erber,” getting an MBA and MS at U-M, she participated in MBAs Across America, and was selected as the student Commencement Speaker for Ross graduation in 2017. We have been following her career, including positions at the City of Detroit, Mortenson, and Mission Throttle. Currently, Brianna is Senior Director of Strategy & Operations for the Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
Map Your U-M Journey with the Impact Roadmap
The Business+Impact Impact Roadmap (UMImpactRoadmap.com) provides you with a single location for all social impact on the U-M campus. Here you’ll find all of the events, courses, people, and key partners working to use their learning to make a real impact in the world.
At the University:
SEAS
UMICH Zero Waste Challenge
Learn how to reduce waste, support change on campus, and win prizes for taking action! Do your best to avoid trash and recycling for one week and collect any waste you do create to review at the end of the week. Meet others passionate about zero waste and learn how to put your tips into action!
SCHOOL OF INFORMATION
A2 Data Dive
Thurs, Feb. 20 @ 4-8 pm
Virtual
Ann Arbor Data Dive is a student-led initiative at UMSI within the ELO that hosts an annual data hackathon for good. The annual service event brings together students, faculty, and data professionals to help local nonprofit and civic organizations analyze data, solve problems and develop impactful solutions through data. This year’s community partners are Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP) and Youth Solutions.
ERB INSTITUTE
Erb Fellows Program
Apply by
Sun, Feb. 23 @ 11:59 pm
The Erb Undergraduate Fellows program is open to rising juniors, current sophomores, majoring or minoring in either the Ross School of Business or Program in the Environment. If you have questions before applying, contact us.
UM DETROIT CENTER
UMCI Community Engagement Session
Tues, Feb. 25 @ 6-7:30 pm
UM Detroit Center
3663 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
Come join us for the University of Michigan Center for Innovation’s Community Engagement Session to connect, collaborate, and innovate together
UM STUDENT LIFE SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability Leadership Jobs
Apply for one of the following:
– Sustainability Cultural Organizer
– Student Sustainability Coalition
– UM Sustainable Food Program
– Special Project Intern
– Planet Blue Student Leader
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MARSAL FAMILY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
James A. Kelly Learning Lever Prize
The James A. Kelly Learning Lever Prize is a competition designed to challenge University of Michigan students to invent digital tools with the potential to significantly improve student learning. This prize encourages a culture of innovation in education, and rewards the creative, interdisciplinary work of University of Michigan students.
STUDENT LIFE
Michigan Difference Student Leadership Awards
Apply by
Fri, Feb. 28 @ 11:59 pm
Awards Ceremony (Save the Date)
Tues, Mar. 25 @ 6 pm
Michigan Union Ballroom
Nominations are now open for the Student Life Michigan Difference Student Leadership Awards! Nominations can be submitted by students, faculty, and staff members, now through Friday, February 28 at 11:59PM. These awards feature Global Impact, Social Change, Sustainability, and Cross Cultural Awards. The awards celebration is on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6pm in the Michigan Union Ballroom and is free and open to anyone.
MATTHAEI BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NICHOLS ARBORETUM
Campus Farm Internships
The Campus Farm is a student-driven multi-stakeholder living learning lab for sustainable food systems work. It is farmed by students for students, and promotes on-farm carbon-neutrality. Applications are open now through March 2, 2025, and most positions begin May 5, 2025.
GINSBERG CENTER
2025 Ginsberg Community Partnerships Graduate Consultant Program
Through a generous gift from Bill and Inger Ginsberg, the Ginsberg Center offers a leadership development opportunity for University of Michigan doctoral students and candidates called the Ginsberg Graduate Consultant Program (formerly Graduate Academic Liaisons). Open to PhD students across disciplines, our program trains you for one of two roles: Engaged Learning Consultants and Community Partnership Consultants.
Also, all students can apply for a Community Engagement Grant by Fri, Mar. 14.
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WOMEN OF COLOR TASK FORCE
Women of Color Task Force Career Conference
Fri, Mar. 7 @ 7 am – 4:30 pm
Michigan League and Rackham Auditorium
Intersectionality is a framework that examines how various aspects of a person’s identity—such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability—intersect and shape their experiences in society. Through dynamic workshops, an inspiring keynote, networking opportunities, and thought-provoking discussions, we will explore how intersectionality equips us with the tools to foster solidarity, create inclusive spaces, and advocate for ourselves and each other.
OFFICE OF PROVOST – ENGAGED MICHIGAN
Engage Detroit Workshops Grant Program
Apply by
Sun, Mar. 9 @ 11:59 pm
The application process for the Office of the Vice Provost for Engaged Learning’s 2025 Engage Detroit Workshops grant program is now open. This grant provides up to $15,000 in funding for workshops or speaker series that foster meaningful relationships and connections on a topic connecting faculty and staff at the University of Michigan with Detroit communities. The Engage Detroit Workshops grant seeks to promote efforts that enhance collaborations among multiple program initiatives by U-M faculty, staff and students. Proposals should be submitted by a faculty lead organizer affiliated with an academic unit on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn or Flint campuses.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR INSTITUTIONAL DIVERSITY
Anti-Racism Graduate Research Grants
In support of the provost’s anti-racism initiative, the National Center for Institutional Diversity’s (NCID) Anti-Racism Collaborative offers research grants that aim to support engagement in research projects focused on racism, racial equity, and racial justice while advancing graduate and professional student progress toward a degree.
LSA
Semester in Detroit
Apply between now and Fri, Mar 31
Semester in Detroit accepts undergraduate students from all schools and departments at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, UM-Dearborn, UM-Flint and Grand Valley State University. All students, from First years to Seniors or Super Seniors are eligible to apply. Applicants should have a strong interest in the city of Detroit and in questioning dominant narratives; engaging with challenging new perspectives on contemporary issues; and building community with one another, SiD faculty and staff, and community members at internship sites and beyond.
In the Impact Community:
Volunteer to Prepare Taxes
United Way of Southeast Michigan sponsors volunteer tax preparers from December 7 through April 16. As a volunteer tax preparer, you can ensure that our clients get the best return on their taxes. No need to be an accountant: we arm you with tax law training and on-site expert support so that you can confidently complete accurate returns. With a minimum commitment of 30 hours, you can help us return millions of dollars to members of our community this season.
NEW Events
Centering Justice
Wed, Feb. 19 @ Noon-1:30 ET
Online
Race, Culture & Belonging
Fri, Feb. 21 @ 9 am – 1 pm
1100 N. Main St., Ann Arbor
NEW Center hosts online and in-person events periodically throughout the year that focus on nonprofit organizational skills and learning.
Elevate 2025
Tues, Feb. 25 @ 11 am – 1 pm
Virtual
Get ready for three days of transformative social sector leadership, with groundbreaking insights from visionary minds as we explore the future of the nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance hosts this conference experience for social sector leaders. Elevate 2025 will offer opportunities to learn, connect with your peers from across the country, and explore of what it means to be a leader in the nonprofit sector.
Responsible Investment Forum
This is North America’s #1 event for sustainability in private markets. Join over 450 sustainable finance practitioners and thought leaders, including institutional investors, fund managers, and industry experts at the 9th annual Responsible Investment Forum: New York. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure your spot at the leading forum for sustainable investing while maximizing your savings!