Contacts:

Christopher Stolarski Marquette University [email protected] 414.288.1988

Jeanan Yasiri Moe Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation [email protected] 608.890.1491

Applications open until January 19 for social entrepreneurship competition

MILWAUKEE — Marquette University and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) have announced that additional awards and funds will be distributed as part of the 2018 Force for Positive Change. This statewide competition focuses on social entrepreneurship as a model for solving social or environmental challenges in a way that is sustainable, just and generates impact.

“We have seen tremendous interest statewide and more people have come to the table with funds and resources for this year’s event. This allows us to recognize even more organizations as the best examples of social entrepreneurship in the state of Wisconsin,” said Laura Heisler of WARF.

This year, more than $100,000 in funding will recognize at least eight social ventures, each receiving $12,500. In addition, two student-run social ventures will each be recognized with $1,000 in funding. To be eligible, participants must 1) be an incorporated enterprise — a nonprofit, for-profit or hybrid company — with a revenue-generating product or service; address a significant social and/or environmental challenge that exists in Wisconsin through their products, services or operations; and have a staff based in Wisconsin, or 2) be a Wisconsin-based student organization or entrepreneur with a revenue-generating model for addressing important social and/or environmental challenges that exist in Wisconsin.

Applications will be accepted online now through Jan. 19, 2018. After Feb. 1, select applicants will be invited to advance to a second phase of the competition, and a panel of expert judges from the public, private and academic sectors, as well as investors and granting organizations, will review each of the final applications.

Applications can apply in the following categories, with some categories having more than one winner:

• Education and youth programming
• Workforce and urban development
• Finance/lending, housing
• Food, agriculture, environment
• Energy, clean tech, water
• Art, manufacturing

The program will culminate with a daylong event on March 22 hosted at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Award winners will be announced at the event.

“Social innovation and entrepreneurship is an emerging field in Wisconsin. We believe there are changemakers everywhere in our state who are creating positive, social impact and solving issues on the ground level. We are excited to recognize them and bring social innovation and entrepreneurship to the forefront in Wisconsin,” said Kelsey Otero, associate director of social innovation at Marquette.

Marquette University and WARF are heading the competition, in conjunction with John and Tashia Morgridge, American Family Insurance, Ashoka, The Commons, the Morgridge Institute for Research, Promega Corporation, StartingBlock Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business, Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council, Wisconsin Technology Council and Wisconsin Campus Compact.

For more information or to apply visit warf.org/PositiveChange.

Contact Heisler at (608) 316-4392 or Otero at (414) 288-4990 with questions.

The Force for Positive Change Award Competition is sponsored by Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and Marquette University. Entries will be accepted from November 1, 2017, through January 19, 2018. Entries will be judged by a panel of judges selected by the sponsors. The odds of winning depend on the number and quality of entries received. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. For full official rules visit warf.org/PositiveChange.

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