Compounding Positive Change

The Impact Competition empowers students to create and implement real solutions to pressing social issues in their community.

Student Participants

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Creative Solutions

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Non-Profits Positively Impacted

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Highlights from the Spring 2025 Dyson's Grand Challenges Impact Competition at Cornell

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Davis' Impact Competition Story

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Story of Culver Academies and Blessings in a Backpack from Impact Comp ‘22

Partnering with Students, Universities, & Communities Since 2018

What Do We Do

The Impact Competition is building a more altruistic world by introducing students to community-centered philanthropy.

Featured Competition Topics:

Participating universities choose a competition topic based on the most pressing needs of their local off-campus community.

Next, a non-profit whose mission aligns with the chosen topic is selected as the competition partner.

BENEFITS of the impact competition

The Impact Competition is building a more altruistic world by involving students in community-centered philanthropy.

Students

Provides students with a real-world experiential learning model that is both engaging and eye-opening.
Introduces students to the feel-good power of philanthropy while also providing valuable professional experience.
Offers cash prizes and the opportunity to have a real impact on their off-campus community.

Communities

Colleges & Universities

Increases marketability of the university and its students via an innovative case competition with real-world results.
Builds a stronger giving community by engaging alumni and cultivating donors through various opportunities for participation.
Helps support a healthier, more supported on- and off-campus community.

Watch a Competition!

There’s nothing quite like attending an Impact Competition in person! Get a sneak peek of what it’s like to see the impact in action in this video from Cornell University.

"Participating in the Impact Competition was an incredible experience that taught us the power of strategic philanthropy and community-driven impact while providing us a full circle moment to reflect on our shared background in music education. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity and look forward to carrying these lessons forward."

Cornell Student2025

"Students are getting to see how they can bring their expertise to a nonprofit, and maybe that will help them once they get out into the world so that they can step up and offer those skills."

Liz Grenat Executive Director of CJAM

"The Impact Competition is unique because you are given the opportunity to make real change and implement your solution with a business in need."

IU Student2022 Survey

"I've walked around Kelley telling professors I want my career to be 'fulfilling' and to be able to make a personal impact on individuals. Your story and this competition are more proof that I can still make a difference throughout my professional career."

Kayla Oxley2022 Kelley Impact Competition Participant

"Nowadays, people are more financially incentivized to come up with the next big startup idea than they are to solve pressing social issues. The Impact Competition seeks to realign those incentives by encouraging students across the country to learn more about issues in their community, propose a solution, and implement it in order to make a real difference in the world around them."

Lance BreitsteinFounder, Impact Competition

Past Competitions

Partnering with more than a dozen high-caliber schools nationwide, the Impact Competition has held competitions focused on a variety of essential topics facing our nation.