With 2018 coming to a close, the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation wanted to take a moment to reflect upon the year and all our community’s work to tackle complex social and environmental issues. Below are the most well-read stories from the year, starting with the most popular.
Published May 23, 2018
The Rustandy Center announced winners of the eighth annual John Edwardson, ’72, Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC). AIM Clinics took home first place, with Shakti and VouchCircle tied for second place. Other finalists included Gather Activism, Insights for Impact, Mighty, and Unbreakable.
Published August 3, 2018
Founded by Genevieve Liu, LAB ’17, at age 13, SLAP’D is a startup that aims to help fellow teens who cannot find an outlet for their grief when a parent has passed away. Since earning recognition as a finalist for the SNVC, SLAP’D (and Genevieve’s younger brother, Asher) has plans to expand nationally as a gateway for grief resources.
Published February 21, 2018
In February, 18 teams advanced to the semifinals of the 2018 SNVC. Teams accepted into Phase II of the competition tackled various social issues in the US and abroad, ranging from addressing Chicago’s gun violence to improving the health of expectant mothers in Mali communities.
Published December 11, 2017
Research done by Booth faculty regarding discrimination and bias across various sectors—conducted nearly a decade apart—revealed shocking similarities: discrimination exists, has measurable consequences, and is not limited to one sector. A Rustandy Center research brief offered tips for mitigating the effects of discrimination and biases.
Published January 1, 2018
Insights from the “Making the Switch” webinar series, hosted by the Rustandy Center and Booth’s Career Services, provided several actionable steps for individuals considering a career move into the social impact space.
Published June 12, 2018
Founded by Wenting Xi, ’18, VouchCircle was established to solve a perceived disparity in society – individuals in underserved communities need a professional networking app to stay connected to people they might meet at work, interviews, etc. VouchCircle, which tied for second place in the 2018 SNVC finals, focuses on referrals for individuals in underserved communities with its peer-to-peer job posting and job referral platform.
Published July 30, 2018
Three recent University of Chicago graduates earned 2018 Tarrson Social Venture Fellowships, receiving $25,000 each to pursue their social ventures full time after graduation. The Tarrson Social Venture Fellowship provides funding and other support to graduating UChicago students and recent alumni who are committed to growing a startup that helps solve a social or environmental problem.
Published March 29, 2018
Research by Nick Tsivanidis, PhD ’18 (economics), investigated one question related to the job market: How large are the economic gains to improving public transit within cities and how are they distributed between low- and high-skilled workers? Tsivanidis’ research is one of several projects the Rustandy Center has helped fund since 2015.
Published May 25, 2018
Founded by George Boghos, ‘18, AIM Clinics plans to provide the gold standard for autism therapy, especially for children in rural US communities. Boghos started the venture after realizing that many children diagnosed with autism do not have access to ABA therapy, the only autism therapy endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General.
Published May 31, 2018
Booth’s Global Social Impact Practicum (GSIP) is a course facilitated by the Rustandy Center and supported by the Tata Centre for Development, instituted by Tata Trusts. In this blog, students shared their experiences and lessons learned from their GSIP trip to India in December 2017.
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Startup Alina Eneji competed in both the Edwardson SNVC and the Alumni NVC. Today, the company is providing electricity to 325 households in Haiti.
Illuminating Households in Haiti
At the On Board Chicago conference, the Obama Foundation CEO explored how to create new opportunities and embrace differences.
Valerie Jarrett on Inspiring Change
Booth Professor Linda Ginzel has created a lesson for readers of her workbook, Choosing Leadership, to work on with family, friends, or colleagues.
Choosing Leadership: A Lesson from Professor Linda Ginzel
