Call for
Lipman Family Prize
Application Deadline:
31 July 2025
About Organisation
The Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize is rooted in the legacy of innovative leadership and service at the University of Pennsylvania. Inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s vision for education to cultivate a spirit and ability to serve, and Joseph Wharton’s belief in using knowledge to address social issues, the Prize reflects the university’s commitment to public impact. Franklin founded Penn to promote learning that empowers individuals to contribute to society, while Wharton launched the first collegiate business school to shape future leaders who would address the complexities of modern civilization.
The Lipman Family Prize carries forward this dual legacy by honoring and supporting organizations that exemplify leadership, innovation, and scalable solutions to social challenges. It connects winning organizations with Penn’s dynamic academic and global community, fostering a culture of collaboration across disciplines and geographies. The prize serves as a platform to showcase effective practices in the social sector and encourages the sharing of impactful, transferable models. Through this initiative, Penn continues its mission of meaningful engagement with communities worldwide, reinforcing a longstanding dedication to service, knowledge-sharing, and transformative social change.
About the Grant
The Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize is an annual global award that celebrates innovation and leadership in the social sector, particularly those demonstrating strong impact and scalable solutions. Each year, three organizations are selected as winners. The grand prize winner receives an unrestricted cash award of $250,000, while two other winning organizations each receive $150,000.
Beyond financial support, winners gain non-monetary benefits such as continued engagement with the University of Pennsylvania, promotional opportunities, and access to a global network of social impact leaders. They are also offered tuition-free executive education programs at the Wharton Executive Education and the Center for Social Impact Strategy, along with a nonprofit leadership scholarship valued at $10,000.
The Lipman Family Prize supports organizations that tackle universal challenges through locally adapted and innovative approaches. The selection process emphasizes leadership, measurable impact, innovation, and the ability for practices to be adopted elsewhere. Winners serve not only as models of success in their respective fields but also as catalysts for sector-wide learning and collaboration. This prize aims to amplify the voices of change-makers and empower them through both funding and an enduring partnership with the University of Pennsylvania.
Who can Apply?
The Lipman Family Prize is open to nonprofit organizations working anywhere in the world to address socially relevant challenges. Applicants must operate within the nonprofit, NGO, or civil society sector and show a proven track record of impact. They should be aligned with the prize’s core values—leadership, innovation, impact, and transferability—and present a clear narrative that outlines their mission, approach, and outcomes.
Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria:
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Possess legal nonprofit status in their home country or in the U.S.
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Have operated as a nonprofit for a minimum of three years.
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Maintain a three-year average of annual organizational expenses between $500,000 and $5 million USD.
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Provide documented monitoring and evaluation data showing at least three years of impact.
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Not be involved in religious programming, partisan political lobbying, or any form of discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age, or disability.
Strong applicants typically demonstrate local community integration, sustainable and adaptable models, learning-oriented leadership, and a willingness to engage in peer learning through the Penn community. Organizations not widely recognized but with solid results are especially encouraged to apply.
How to Apply?
The application process includes four stages: application review, due diligence, semi-finalist selection, and final winner selection. Applications are evaluated by staff and faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. The Open Application Round runs from July 1 to 31. Shortlisted candidates are notified in September, and winners are announced the following April, followed by an invitation to the award ceremony and networking events at Penn.
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted during the Open Application Round from July 1 to July 31 each year. All applicants will be notified of their status in the selection process by September.
Last Date To Apply
The last date to submit your application for the Lipman Family Prize is July 31. Submissions after this date will not be considered for the current award cycle.
Grant Amount
The grand prize winner receives $250,000, while two additional winners each receive $150,000. All three receive added benefits, including educational scholarships and access to Penn’s global social impact network.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
