Through the BYU Changemakers Challenges, students have a chance to win cash prizes for creative ideas that can change the world for the better.
BYU received Changemaker Campus status from Ashoka University in 2020. Ashoka University is an initiative dedicated to supporting social impact education at universities across the country and is sponsored by Ashoka, the world’s largest social entrepreneurship network. He is one of only 41 schools that currently enjoy changemaker status, and BYU is one of them.
The Changemakers Challenges, sponsored by the Ballard yCenter for Social Impact, have written submissions due by September 27th and video reel submissions by October 11th.
In the written section, students are asked to answer the question, “How would you change the world?” Within 500 words. Past submissions have included personal stories of how students came up with ideas that could improve specific social issues. A panel of judges will review the entries and select six finalists, who will be announced on October 3rd.
Monica Bartha, a BYU graduate and last year’s first-place winner, wrote a piece titled “Art Changes Minds.” She shared her experience in art therapy and how it inspired her to provide other countries with access to local art therapists.
“I think the Ballard Center personally helped me think, “This is a good idea, and I can change the world if I want to.” I’ve been thinking about that idea for a while, but I’ve been thinking about it a little bit. Honestly, it was a relief because I was about to give up,” Bertha said.
“How would you change the world?” This prompt also applies to the video portion of the contest, where students must answer questions in a 60-second reel.
The reel judging process includes viewer voting, and finalists are responsible for promoting their reels to gain support. Half of a video participant’s score comes from viewer engagement on Instagram.
In January, brothers Jacob and Garrett Stanford won first place in the Changemakers Reel contest for their idea for a charity gaming organization. Although the game is free, advertising and in-app purchases generate revenue, which goes directly to charity.
Regarding the prize money, first place winner Jacob Stanford said he plans to use the prize money to hire a graphic artist, create the app, and distribute it on the app store.
“All prize money won from the contest will go towards supporting and realizing the idea,” said Jacob Stanford.
Stanford University hopes the first installment of the nonprofit video game will be available sometime next year, and plans to donate the proceeds to the charity TeamSeas.
Garrett Stanford, also a winner of last year’s Changemakers Competition, said the competition was a great starting point for aspiring creators and a great platform to launch from.
“I’m grateful that Changemakers is doing this,” Garrett Stanford said. “It’s been really great for us to build a community around us that is passionate about this project that we’re working on.”
Jess Dancy Anderson, managing director of marketing and communications for the BYU Ballard Center for Social Impact, invites all students with a passion for philanthropy, humanitarianism, sustainability, and social impact to submit ideas .
“We want to hear your ideas and personal connections to poverty, homelessness, health care access, inequality, environmental stewardship, and anything else you are passionate about that will change the world. knows that no matter what your major, skill set, or background, you can make a difference,” Anderson said.
According to Anderson, changemakers’ challenges have changed over the years. What began as a film contest evolved into Ballard’s personal essays about his student experiences at his center, and took on its present form. It is an opportunity for all students to uncover societal problems and potential solutions, and to increase awareness of the Ballard Center and its resources. Students on campus.
Anderson said the prize money will be $1,500 for first place, $750 for second place and $500 for third place, with no strings attached. Student winners of the competition are not obligated to use the funds to further their projects, but will be invited to participate in the Ballard Center.
“Even if their idea doesn’t work and never comes to fruition, we believe there is value in generating excitement and getting people thinking about ways to get involved in this work,” Anderson said. . “Even ideas that fail allow contributors to learn, grow, and ultimately find better ideas. Continuous improvement through research and finding and adapting solutions is what we believe in at Ballard.” It’s a big part of what we do at the center.”
The Ballard Social Impact Center website states that it is the largest university social impact program in the world. It has been part of BYU since 2003 and offers courses such as its core “Do Good.” Better. ” Classes, educational events as well as open to all majors.
Participating in the Changemakers Challenge is one easy way for students who want to change the world to get started and earn a little extra cash along the way.
