This year’s Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize winner and two finalists will take home twice the amount of their predecessors, thanks to a significant investment from prize founders Barry & Marie Lipman.
The winning organization will receive $250,000 in unrestricted funds, up from $125,000 in previous years. The finalists will receive $25,000 each, up from $12,500.
Applications are now being accepted from organizations working for social change all over the globe.
“Previous winners of the Lipman Family Prize have shown how well they leverage unrestricted funds and expert advice to unleash their full potential,” says Barry Lipman, a Wharton School undergraduate alumnus (W’70) who started the prize in 2011, with his wife, Marie. “Seeing the huge difference innovative organizations can make when they have the resources they need is a better return on investment than I ever imagined. So we decided to double our investment, to build new knowledge, resources, and solutions for the social sector.”
The Lipman Family Prize is an annual global prize given to an organization that celebrates leadership and innovation in the social sector with an emphasis on impact and transferability of practices. First awarded in 2012, the prize is administered by the University of Pennsylvania through the Wharton School. Past winners include iDE, READ Global, Breakthrough, and Riders for Health.
In addition to financial support, Lipman Family Prize winners and finalists gain access to University of Pennsylvania and Wharton School resources, including a tuition-free executive education program, pro-bono consultation from University faculty and staff, peer learning events, as well as expert- and student-driven research to inform and guide their work. With a core emphasis on education, the Lipman Family Prize cultivates long-term partnership among the finalists, the Prize committee and the School.
Applications for the 2016 Lipman Family Prize will be accepted until August 31, 2015, at 5 p.m. EST. The winning organization will be announced in February 2016.
Additional information about the application process can be found on the Lipman Family Prize website.
Eligible Organizations
The Lipman Family Prize encourages organizations from around the globe to apply, and looks for organizations implementing a particularly innovative or effective model. While the organization should be building a track record of success, it may not yet have gained significant recognition. For the winner, this prize brings its work to a larger audience, attracts new potential donors, and provides resources that will help scale the work or improve organizational sustainability. Organizations do not necessarily have to operate outside of their home country to win the Prize.
The Lipman Family Prize is targeted toward organizations addressing social and economic issues that are usually addressed by the Nonprofit/NGO/Civil Society sector. As a result, the majority of organizations that apply are considered “nonprofit” organizations. In recognition of variations in international law, as well as organizational innovations occurring globally (e.g., social enterprises, for-benefit corporations, and 4th sector organizations), organizations not considered traditional nonprofits are also encouraged to apply.
Questions? Please email LipmanPrize@wharton.upenn.edu