Students from across UNH have been dreaming up wildly innovative ideas to solve some of today’s most urgent sustainability problems, from local to global. They’ve entered their ideas into UNH’s annual competition, the NH Social Venture Innovation Challenge, organized by the UNH Changemaker Collaborative, a partnership of the UNH Sustainability Institute with the Peter T. Paul College of Business & Economics and the Carsey School of Public Policy. The online preliminary judges have narrowed the field to 10 teams to move on to the Final Round on December 5, 2023. Read about the finalist teams and their ideas, and see the full schedule of events here, we hope you’ll join us!
This competition, an invaluable opportunity for students, is entirely funded through the generous contributions of our community partners. The program would not exist without their financial support – and more importantly, the message their support sends – that innovation towards a sustainable future, matters. Their support allows students to test the waters, learn more deeply about pressing sustainability challenges, and build problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration skills so that they can be prepared to be part of building a sustainable and just future.
We’re shining a light on these community partners who support our students and public education, in many ways! We are grateful for their collaboration!
Lead supporters of the 2023 SVIC
Alnoba
We are grateful to count Alnoba and the Lewis Family as friends and partners. We collaborate with them in many ways, and they generously support our International Changemaker Grant program, as well as provide a myriad of opportunities for UNH students and young alumni to participate in programs in the beautiful setting of Alnoba. In 2019 we honored Harriet and the late Alan Lewis as UNH’s Social Innovators of the Year.
Alnoba is the top resource in New England for leadership and team development. Since 1993, we’ve built up a record of proven results with leaders from 70 countries and over 100 teams utilizing our Pinnacle Leadership & Team Development model. This unique destination with a 14,000 square foot sustainably-constructed meeting space and a vibrant 600 acre property of trails, cabins, meeting spaces, a renowned art collection and a host of facilitated leadership activities supports going deep to find inspiration and transformation for both individuals and organizations. We invite you to join us for reflection, connection and creating change.
If you would like to bring your team to experience Alnoba, please contact Wendy Manning at wmanning@alnoba.org or call Direct: 603.418.7407 Cell: 603.395.6372
Impax Asset Management
A long-time partner, Impax Asset Management has also supported UNH students by hosting interns and fellows, in addition to their sponsorship of theSVIC for the past several years. In 2016 we honored Joe Keefe, President & CEO of Impax Asset Management, as UNH’s Social Innovator of the Year.
Impax Asset Management Mission Statement:
To generate superior, risk-adjusted investment returns from opportunities arising from the transition to a more sustainable economy for clients with a medium to long-term horizon.
To make a contribution to the development of a sustainable society, particularly by supporting or undertaking relevant research and engaging or collaborating with others.
To provide a stimulating, collaborative and supportive work-place for our staff. Learn more about our values.
Kennebunk Savings
Kennebunk Savings is one of our most longstanding, loyal and generous partners, supporting not only the SVIC for many years, but also have been the lead investor in helping us replicate the SVIC for the high school audience, a program known as the Community Changemaker Challenge. Kennebunk Savings has also participated actively in our programs, including the UNH B Impact Clinic, and they were the pilot client in our new Climate Action Clinic. They continue to provide transformative learning experiences for UNH sustainability students.
Kennebunk Savings and UNH’s Changemaker Collaborative and both share a commitment to better our communities, with an emphasis on innovation. We take particular pride in opportunities that support building a brighter tomorrow. Our Community Promise program was launched in 1994 when the Bank pledged to donate 10% of its annual earnings to local nonprofit organizations that help our communities thrive. And our employees embrace this spirit of giving, dedicating their time and talent as community volunteers, sitting on nonprofit boards and committees and ultimately donating over 155,000 hours of volunteer time since 2001. Learn more about our Community Promise.
Additional 2023 SVIC supporters
Unitil Corporation
Unitil Corporation, an investor-owned public utility serving Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, supports UNH Sustainability programming and students through their philanthropic support of our Summer Sustainability Fellows program, as well as their sponsorship annually of the SVIC. They have also mentored and supported UNH students through their participation in a number of our programs, including the UNH B Impact Clinic and the Summer Sustainability Fellows, and have now hired several of sustainability graduates from UNH.
Cirtronics
Cirtronics, an employee-owned contract manufacturer of complex systems and assemblies, has loyally supported the SVIC for many years, and we are so grateful for their partnership and unwavering support.
CCA Global Partners
CCA Global Partners is a privately held cooperative of independent retailers that offers 14 distinct businesses and best-in-class programs to fuel their success, has been a supporter of the SVIC, almost since inception, and we are immensely grateful for their partnership.
Prime Buchholz
100% employee-owned and a certified B Corp, Prime Buchholz is one of the country’s most reputable investment consulting firms. They support UNH in a myriad of ways, and are strong believers in supporting public higher education sustainability programming. They have supported and participated in UNH’s Summer Sustainability Fellowship, the Climate Action Clinic, B Impact Clinic, and have mentored and created job opportunities for many graduates of these programs.
New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility
New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) convenes, inspires and supports businesses and their community stakeholders to build a more sustainable and prosperous state for all. Long time partners around shared goals, NHBSR and UNH Sustainability Institute collaborate across many programs and initiatives.
The Recycled Planet Company
Founded by UNH alumnus, Stephen Weisbuch, The Recycled Planet Company makes men's and women's apparel from recycled and repurposed materials. They have been helping keep SVIC winners warm in sustainable (and very stylish!) ways for the last several years by their in-kind support.
UNH ECenter Maurice Prize
The Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center (ECenter) at the University of New Hampshire is the co-curricular heart of ideas, innovation, and entrepreneurship on campus. It’s open to all students from any college or major. They are crucial partners to the SVIC, providing invaluable mentorship and support to competing teams.
The NH Social Venture Innovation Challenge is organized by UNH’s Changemaker Collaborative, a partnership between the UNH Sustainability Institute, the Peter T. Paul College of Business & Economics, and the Carsey School of Public Policy. The Collaborative’s mission is to inspire, train and support the next generation of changemakers. It is an interdisciplinary center offering high-impact experiences for UNH students to apply their academic learning in real world settings, to contribute to a more sustainable world.
