Nonprofit and Public Management Center (NPM) Impact Challenge
The NPM Student Advisory Board sponsors this Impact Challenge for ALL graduate students to collaborate on solving real issues for a public or nonprofit organization.
At the start of the challenge, NPM distributes a problem statement to teams of 3-4 graduate students who research the organization, investigate the issue, and develop strategic and tactical recommendations for implementation. All teams create a short PowerPoint presentation outlining their understanding of the problem and proposed solutions. The top teams are then invited to present their recommendations to a panel of judges to win cash prizes!
Either $750 or $1000* will be awarded to the winning team, and the opportunity to have work implemented by Year Up Chicago. (*$1000 for interdisciplinary teams or $750 for teams with members from only one U-M graduate school.)
In addition to the prize money, participating students gain from this experience by:
- Collaborating with diverse teammates
- Enhancing written and verbal communication skills
- Applying classroom knowledge to a dynamic organization
- Impacting an organization that makes a difference in the community
Year Up Chicago - Growth
Year Up was founded in October 2000 as a one-year intensive education and professional skills development program serving predominantly low income urban 18-24 year olds who have a high school diploma or GED. Its mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Over the course of the program, young adults receive six months of college-credited skills development and a six month internship with a major corporation.
Year Up Chicago was launched in 2010 and wants to deepen its impact by doubling the number of students served in 2012; however, the organization faces significant challenges to achieving aggressive growth. Year Up Chicago will engage University of Michigan students to address these challenges through an interdisciplinary lens. Stand-out ideas have the opportunity to be implemented this year, truly impacting the future of Year Up Chicago!
Impact Challenge rules:
- Teams should have 3-4 members, all of whom are graduate students at the University of Michigan. Need help finding a team?
- Team sign up by Mon, Feb. 6, at 9:00 am.
- Case materials will be emailed to registered teams on Mon, Feb. 6 at Noon. Date for Q&A call with Executive Director of Year Up Chicago to be determined.
- Submitted presentations are emailed no later than Wed, Feb. 8 at 7:00 pm. 10 slide max.
- Finalists will be notified midnight, Wed, Feb. 8.
- Final presentations will be Thurs, Feb. 9, 7:30 pm. Presentations will be 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions from the judges. Business casual attire.
- Any questions regarding logistics should be sent to npmimpactchallenge@umich.edu. No questions will be answered regarding the content of the case.
