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Changemaker Institute

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The Changemaker Institute (CI) supports budding social entrepreneurs who are interested in building a business with social or environmental impact.

[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing][vc_column_text color=”#000000″]Changemakers (n) – People who use their skills, expertise, gifts, and power in a way that creates positive social change and affirms the humanity of all people.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text color=”#1e73be”]

About the Changemaker Institute (CI)

[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing][vc_column_text color=”#000000″]What?

The Changemaker Institute (CI) is a semester-long program that supports graduate students and exceptional undergraduate students in building a business with social or environmental impact. Over the Spring ’24 semester, CI Fellows meet weekly, in person, for two hours (12-2 pm on Wednesdays). Our alums describe the program as a “laid back accelerator” and “a family to nurture your ideas.” At the close of the program, Fellows share their ventures and their learnings in a public community showcase and receive actionable resources and feedback.

Why? 

Starting a business is hard and can be very isolating. Our program unites students across Tulane who are working on a social impact business idea and provides a curriculum, framework and community to nurture ideas and provide and receive feedback and support.

Who?

CI Fellows are either founders of their own social impact venture (such as a non-profit, program, student-run organization, or business) OR are innovators building new capacity within an existing organization.

Most CI Fellows are Graduate and Professional Students across Tulane. We occasionally accept exceptional undergraduate students who have a strong understanding of the social issue they are seeking to address.

We strongly encourage team ventures, but solo participants are accepted.

Where?

We meet from 12-2 PM every Wednesday in the Spring semester (1/17-4/24) at Propeller (4035 Washington Avenue), a nonprofit organization in New Orleans that grows and supports entrepreneurs to tackle social and environmental disparities. We see CI as a “mini Propeller” and many CI alums have gone on to become Fellows at Propeller.  CI Fellows are responsible for their own transportation and arrive via car, carpool, bike, public transportation, or a Tulane shuttle for transportation (it is about an eight minute drive from both Tulane’s uptown and downtown campuses). Lunch is provided each week.

How?

We lead CI Fellows through a process that supports them to develop, research, test, and refine their idea for a business or program with social or environmental impact.

During our weekly meetings, CI Fellows gain:

  • A warm, supportive, inclusive and adaptive environment to nurture your idea
  • Business development skills via design thinking and lean canvas methodology
  • Mentorship from Tulane and New Orleans’ social entrepreneurial communities
  • A framework and process to deepen their understanding of social issues skills
  • Preparation for applying to funding opportunities at Tulane and beyond
  • Introductions to guest experts, field mentors and access to a network of changemakers within and beyond New Orleans
  • A community of “like-hearted” student changemakers striving to create positive change

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Applications for Spring 2024 will open in Fall 2023. Stay tuned!

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CI was a phenomenal experience for me. It opened my entrepreneurship horizon for a wealth of knowledge, and skillsets, and expanded my network to help my venture thrive and grow. I highly recommend other students to dive into the CI experience as the gains and benefits are priceless.”  – Renad  JadKarim (MD, MPH&TM, Ph.D), Spring 2022

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CI was extremely helpful in moving my venture forward by letting me know what I needed to prioritize and improve.…CI enabled me to create a plan to achieve all my goals, and beyond, for my venture.“- Ashlee Walker (DrPH​, Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences), Spring 2022

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I am so grateful for this experience! Thanks to everyone in CI for the support and brainstorming prompts to get my ideas off the ground!- Kristina Woodworth (MPH,Community Health Science), Spring 2022

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Whether you want to develop a novel idea or seek to partner with assets in existing organizations, the Changemaker Institute is the program for you. Prepare to be challenged, develop professionally, mentally, and spiritually, and most importantly, gain a family in the process. CI provides a unique blend of innovators and people willing to stand for a purpose they would defend with their lives. CI is truly a prominent, life-changing experience.  –Tyler Jackson (MPH in Community Health Science), Spring 2022

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2022/2023 Draft Schedule

The draft schedule is below. If you are considering applying to CI, please review this schedule to see if these topics would be useful to you prior to submitting your application.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text color=”#000000″]Please note each workshop is two hours long and workshop topics and dates are subject to change.

Nov 28                CI Orientation Meeting + Mentor Exploration

Jan 18                 Design Research Analysis & Synthesis; Value Proposition

Jan 25                Building your Lean Canvas            

Feb 1                    Selecting Your Business Entity Classification; Tackling Heropreneurship 

Feb 8                   Cohort Feedback

Feb 15                 Mission & Vision

March 1               Funding Your Venture (Panel)

March 8              Prototype Debrief + Budget

March 15             Branding

March 22            Marketing

March 29            Crafting your pitch  

April 3 (spring break)           Create “Values” and “About us” statements (asynchronously); 1:1 meetings with marketing consultant 

April 12                 Building a Board

April 19                 Pitch Practice

April 27                CI Showcase. Register to attend here. 

May 3                    Debrief/Synthesis & Resources moving forward[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row min_height=”400″][vc_column][vcex_spacing][vcex_heading text=”Changemaker Institute News” tag=”h2″ color=”#267bc0″ font_size=”2.25em”][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”3″ item=”6687″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1692292396414-81d60389-5e85-4″ taxonomies=”6702″][vcex_spacing][vcex_button url=”/ci-news” align=”center” color=”red”]Read all Changemaker Institute News[/vcex_button][vcex_spacing][vcex_heading text=”Access our Curriculum” tag=”h2″ color=”#f15f48″ font_size=”2.25em”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#f15f48″][vcex_spacing][vc_column_text color=”#000000″]Check out our 2020 Changemaker Institute Curriculum for a comprehensive view of a curriculum designed to supports graduate students interested in developing ethical, sustainable, and viable social enterprises. We wrote this for:

  1. A budding social entrepreneur interested in building out your idea but unsure about where to start.
  2. An educator interested in running a social venture accelerator and interested in comparing curriculums.
  3. A social entrepreneur interested in becoming a paid speaker or volunteer mentor with our program.

[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing][vcex_button url=”https://girlgetvisible.com/testing/changemaker-institute/access-curriculum/” color=”red” font_size=”1.5em”]View the 2020 Changemaker Institute Curriculum[/vcex_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” typography_style=”white” min_height=”600px” css=”.vc_custom_1579622132954{background-image: url(https://girlgetvisible.com/testing/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/45778372125_095c1fd731_k.jpg?id=4350) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1581392166161{margin-top: 4rem !important;}”][vcex_heading text=”Get Funded” tag=”h2″ color=”#267bc0″ font_size=”2.25em”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#267bc0″][vc_column_text color=”#000000″]

  • The Changemaker Institute programming offers access to funding for impact-related activities through Tulane-based grants as well as other advanced opportunities in social impact beyond campus.
  • All participants of the Taylor Changemaker Institute are eligible and coached to apply for the following funding opportunities:

[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing][vc_column_text color=”#000000″]The Alvarez Spark Innovation Award offers up to $2,500 to pursue a social venture idea by prototyping or testing a component of an idea.[/vc_column_text][vcex_button url=”https://girlgetvisible.com/testing/awards/alvarez-spark-innovation-award/” color=”blue”]Learn About the Victor Alvarez Spark Innovation Award[/vcex_button][vcex_spacing][vc_column_text color=”#000000″]The Changemaker Catalylst Award offers up to $1500 to participate in an engaged learning experience.[/vc_column_text][vcex_button url=”https://girlgetvisible.com/testing/awards/changemaker-catalyst-award” color=”blue”]Learn About the Changemaker Catalylst Award[/vcex_button][vcex_spacing][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column min_height=”500″][vcex_spacing][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column min_height=”500″][vcex_spacing][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” min_height=”600″ css=”.vc_custom_1579625303486{background-image: url(https://girlgetvisible.com/testing/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/31752165997_cfd4c4d3ae_k.jpg?id=4351) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1581392248632{margin-top: 4rem !important;}”][vcex_heading text=”Changemaker Institute Alumni” tag=”h2″ color=”#267bc0″ font_size=”2.25em”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#267bc0″][vc_column_text color=”#000000″]

  • Trash to Treasure seeks to create a revolving sustainable fund for outreach project in New Orleans. T2T deliver this by collecting and selling dorm room necessities thrown away by Tulane students during move out. Their profits fund subsequent sales as well as further sustainable ventures.
  • SHRI (formerly Humanure Power) works to eradicate outdoor defecation as a normal practice for hundreds of millions of villagers in rural India by building community toilet blocks. These toilets leverage proven and existing technology that convert human waste in to energy that can be sold, generating a revenue stream that helps further their mission of building more toilets.
  • Radical Grandma Collective is a nonprofit online store that creates a platform for women to support other women in environmental justice work.
  • STEM Library Lab is a science equipment lending library that fosters academic success by providing teachers and students with access to equipment and support for high-quality active learning.
  • Fund 17 is a Louisiana registered non-profit that works to empower micro-entrepreneurs in the New Orleans community.  Fund 17 does this by providing financial education and micro-loans.
  • Network Volunteers (formerly Crescent City Connections or “CCC”) promotes and facilitates customized volunteer and cultural activities for visitors and residents in New Orleans to better connect people with community organizations in the city.
  • Top Box Foods Makes high-quality nutritious food (lean meats, fish and fresh produce) available at extremely affordable prices. The non-profit uses volunteers to deliver food, focusing on areas identified as food deserts.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1579624546451{background-color: #267bc0 !important;}”][vc_column min_height=”500″][vcex_spacing][vcex_heading text=”Graduate Assistants” tag=”h2″ color=”#ffffff” font_size=”2.5em”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#267bc0″][vc_column_text color=”#ffffff”]The Changemaker Institute (CI) graduate assistant works with staff to develop, organize, promote, and execute Taylor’s social venture accelerator program.[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing][vcex_button url=”https://girlgetvisible.com/testing/taylor-center-student-fellows/” layout=”block” size=”small” color=”teal” align=”left”]Read about Taylor Student Employees[/vcex_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_spacing][vcex_heading text=”Changemaker Institute Team Members” tag=”h2″ color=”#267bc0″ font_size=”2.5em”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#267bc0″][vcex_spacing][vc_basic_grid post_type=”staff” max_items=”-1″ element_width=”3″ gap=”35″ orderby=”meta_value” order=”ASC” item=”277″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1692292396417-4ab9d888-f4de-10″ taxonomies=”3521″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1579624546451{background-color: #267bc0 !important;}”][vc_column min_height=”500″][vcex_spacing][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_spacing][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]