Sullivan Impact Prize
Fueling Emerging Changemakers Across the South
Launching Spring 2025, the Sullivan Impact Prize empowers students and young alumni to design innovative solutions that create lasting community impact.
Winners advance to a national pitch competition with the chance to secure funding, mentorship, and visibility across the Sullivan network.
Sullivan Impact Prize
Fueling Emerging Changemakers Across the South
The Sullivan Impact Prize is your chance to turn big ideas into real-world change.
Through campus competitions and an open application process, students and young alumni across the Sullivan network will showcase innovative solutions to pressing community needs.
Finalists pitch at the Ignite Retreat (March 28–29, 2026), with the winner earning $1,000, national visibility, and eligibility for up to $10,000 in follow-on funding.
The Sullivan Impact Prize is your chance to turn big ideas into real-world change.
Through campus competitions and an open application process, students and young alumni across the Sullivan network will showcase innovative solutions to pressing community needs.
Finalists pitch at the Ignite Retreat (March 28–29, 2026), with the winner earning $1,000, national visibility, and eligibility for up to $10,000 in follow-on funding.
Who can Apply?
- Students & alumni under 35
- Sullivan award or scholarship recipients
- Fellows, Ignite participants, or actively engaged in Sullivan programs
How it works?
Sullivan partners with campus business plan competitions and also accepts open applications. Campus winners and individual applicants compete for the Sullivan Impact Prize, with finalists invited to pitch at the Ignite Retreat.
Timeline
- Summer 2025 – Application materials released, judges recruited, portal opens
- Dec 2025 – Short application + video due
- Jan 2026 – Judges review and select 5 finalists
- March 2026 – Pitch competition at Ignite Retreat
- April 2026 – Winner presents at Sullivan Showcase
Prizes & Opportunities
- $1,000 prize + all-expense-paid trip to Sullivan Showcase
- Up to $10,000 follow-on funding for ventures that launch successfully
- Exposure to key stakeholders, supporters, and potential investors across the Sullivan network
Here’s what you’ll get to experience.
Work on a project, get clarity on potential career paths, or dig deeper into a set of problems you have a heart for.
The retreat has three tracks, each with two workshops. You can bounce between any of the workshops that you feel are most relevant to you.
Timeline
- Summer 2025 – Application materials released, judges recruited, portal opens
- Dec 2025 – Short application + video due
- Jan 2026 – Judges review and select 5 finalists
- March 2026 – Pitch competition at Ignite Retreat
- April 2026 – Winner presents at Sullivan Showcase
Prizes & Opportunities
- $1,000 prize + all-expense-paid trip to Sullivan Showcase
- Up to $10,000 follow-on funding for ventures that launch successfully
- Exposure to key stakeholders, supporters, and potential investors across the Sullivan network
