March 2025 Newsletter
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.
FROM THE IMPACT STUDIO:
Workshop: Leveraging AI to Accelerate Venture Growth
Mon, Mar. 17 @ 5-6:30 pm
The Impact Studio
Kresge Hall, 3rd Floor Maker Space
Want to learn how to scale and grow a business? AI can help you get there. Join us for an exclusive workshop with Kelli Williams, founder and CEO of Actually Clean, and learn how she has used AI to build a cleaning company that is revolutionizing the cleaning industry through its cutting edge technology and unique apprenticeship model.
Join us to learn how to leverage AI for:
- Business automation and scalable growth
- Marketing and customer acquisition strategies
- Identifying funding opportunities
- Implement AI frameworks for strategic decision-making
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UM Impact Venture Demo Day
Fri, Apr. 4 @ 11 am – 1 pm
Winter Garden
Ross School of Business
At this major event, discover 25+ visionary UM student ventures from across the UM campus tackling global issues in areas such as tech, health and well-being, education and climate:
- 25+ innovative UM student ventures
- Interactive demonstrations of live prototypes
- Connect with visionary student founders
- Provide feedback to early-stage solutions to global issues
- Light refreshments will be provided
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To do or not to do: Should I pursue my venture full-time?
Newly bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, many founders in the Impact Studio are now considering continuing their venture past April, whether it’s for the summer or as a full-time job after graduation. Such a leap would mean leaving behind traditional paths like internships or recruitment, and their decision is not only risky but an incredibly difficult and personal one. Several weeks ago, these founders sat down with Impact Studio experts Julia Maddox and Nikki Gusz to discuss how to make this choice.
Summer Impact Internship Funding Application
Applications due
Wed. April 16
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.
Here are further internship funding sources amongst our friends across campus:
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Open the Door to Life-Changing Opportunities on Giving BlueDay!
We invite you to give to our Impact Studio and DNEP’s initiatives on Giving BlueDay March 19! You’ll enable Michigan Ross talent to make an impact by developing solutions to the world’s most wicked problems. Or you can pair up Ross student consultants with vital Detroit businesses looking to make a footprint in their neighborhoods.
Give to the Impact Studio Fund Here
Give to the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project Here
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.
goTeff wins the MBC – Seigle Impact Track
The winner of the 2025 Michigan Business Challenge–Seigle Impact Track is goTeff, a drought-resistant, sustainable superfood brand created using an ancient grain long used by champion Ethiopian runners. Established by Saron Mechale (MBA ’26), goTeff took home the $15,000 Seigle Impact Track first prize. Ronghao Wang’s (BBA ’27) ISBA, which automatically and proactively manages the energy production and consumption of European small and medium-sized businesses, won the $7,500 second prize.
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Nonprofit Board Fellowship Program Seeks Part-time Student Employee
Business+Impact seeks a student assistant to support its burgeoning Nonprofit Board Fellows Program. Duties would include the administration, programming, and development of the program. The role will have flexible hours and the ability to work in person or remotely. The hourly rate will be $22/hour.
Ross Events
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| Women Who Win Thurs, Mar. 13 @ 5-8 pm Robertson Auditorium |
Ross: Ross Climate Week Mar. 27 – Apr. 3 Michigan Ross |
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:
DETROIT INITIATIVE AT ROSS
Detroit Impact Conference 2025
Fri, Mar. 14 @ 9:30 am – 6 pm
Various Locations
We invite you to the 15th Annual Detroit Impact Conference on Friday, March 14th, hosted by students from the Ross School of Business! This year’s theme, “Fueling Detroit: Innovation and Capital for Social Change,” explores the positive impact of innovations in business, tech, and capital across sectors in Detroit. Join us for a day filled with inspiring speakers, engaging conversations, and networking opportunities
FORD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
Policy Talks
“Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness” – Mar. 11
Eviction Policy and Design Workshop – Mar. 18
Smart from the Start: Closing Early Opportunity Gaps with Strategic Early Learning Investments – Apr. 9
The Ford School of Public Policy hosts a diverse array of timely, meaningful events that engage students, community, and public policy leaders.
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Social Work Events
“Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness” Documentary Screening and Panel – Mar 11
Competent Social Work Practice in the Context of Anti-Trans Policy, Legislation, and Rhetoric – Mar 20
“What’s My Role? Social Change in Crisis and Beyond”, featuring Deepa Iyer – Apr. 3
The School of Social Work hosts a wide range of important social impact events that engage students, community, and Social Work leaders.
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.
CEW+
Twink Frey Visiting Social Activist Program
Each year the Twink Frey Visiting Social Activist (TFVSA) Program brings to CEW+ a social justice activist whose work affects women and recognizes gender equity issues. One goal of the program is to build the capacity and effectiveness of social activists by giving the TFVSA time, space, and support to work on a project that would not be possible under the activist’s usual working circumstances.
PLANET BLUE
SSC Grants
Apply by
Tues, Apr. 1 @ 11:59 pm
SSC offers two different grant options in support of student-driven sustainability projects, the Planet Blue Student Innovation Fund (PBSIF) and the Social and Environmental grant (SES). Read more about each option below, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you are unsure about which grant is the right fit for your idea/project or with any other questions. Grant Office Hours: come chat with us about your grant and strengthen your application before you apply!
TEDxUofM
TEDxUofM 2025 “Rooted”
Thu, Apr. 3 @ 6-9:30 pm
Power Center
121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor
Join TEDxUofM for a captivating evening at TEDxUofM 2025: “Rooted.” Hosted at the Power Center for the Performing Arts, the event features TED Talks, performances, and hands-on activities! All seven speakers are UofM alumni, faculty, or students, and will be sharing unique insights inspired by the powerful influence of our roots. Secure your tickets now before they sell out.
UM SUSTAINABILITY
Excellence in Sustainability Honors Cords
The Excellence in Sustainability Honors Cord Program is designed to honor students who went the extra mile to further their knowledge and application of sustainability principles while studying at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. To fulfill our goal of encouraging both depth and breadth, students must accumulate 10 points or more to earn a cord.
GINSBERG CENTER
Student Grants Showcase
Thurs, Apr. 10 @ 4:30-6 pm
Pendleton Room, Michigan Union
Are you curious about student-led community-engaged work happening at the University of Michigan? Interested in learning about ways to engage with communities more equitably? Join us as we celebrate and showcase the amazing work of our student grant recipients with community partners and introduce several community organizations looking for student volunteers. Light snacks will be provided.
GINSBERG CENTER
Community Interns and Fellows
Apply Now for Community-Based Internship Fund
Apply Now for Community Leadership Fellows
Ginsberg Center is excited to announce the launch of our Community-Based Internship Fund! Made possible by the generous support of University of Michigan’s Democracy, and the Civic Empowerment & Global Engagement Initiative. The Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning offers a year-long fellowship for undergraduate juniors and seniors to provide students an opportunity to apply their existing leadership experience, community-based work, and classroom learning to a real-world internship experience that directly addresses community needs and priorities.
In the Impact Community:
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Centering Justice
Centering Justice
Wed, Mar. 19 @ Noon-1:30 ET
Online
Black women have always been the blueprint—visionaries, strategists, and architects of democracy. But after yet another election where our leadership was dismissed and our labor taken for granted, we are left with a question: How do we hold both the betrayal and the responsibility at the same time?
Workforce Mapping Internship
The Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership and the New Economy Initiative are seeking research partners to help create a workforce development ecosystem map for the Southeast Michigan region, including supports for both employers and employees. Interested candidates please contact Brianna Brazell at bbrazell@cfsem.org with a copy of your resume and a brief statement of interest to schedule a conversation with the DRWP team.
Circular Plastics Challenge
Application Deadline
Fri, Apr. 11 @ 11:59 pm PT
Net Impact’s Circular Plastics Challenge needs innovative leaders like you to imagine how we can craft a truly circular economy! Industry-leading companies are eager for fresh, out-of-the-box thinking to push the plastics industry to become more circular, at scale. Net Impact’s Circular Plastics Challenge calls upon innovators, systems-thinkers, and practitioners from all walks of life and levels of study to consider, “How might we develop a business concept that leverages artificial intelligence at any point within the plastics value chain (whether pre-consumer, during consumer use, or post-consumer) in order to maximize circularity throughout the plastic value chain? ”
Rally Winter Showcase
Tues, Apr. 29 @ 11:30 am – 1 pm
Virtual
Join us for the Rally W’25 Social Venture Virtual Showcase, a dynamic event spotlighting the innovative projects and ventures created by our talented Winter 2025 Cohort. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a social impact advocate, or someone seeking inspiration, this hour-long event will feature groundbreaking ideas and transformative projects that are making a positive impact in our communities.