In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, optiMize launched a $25,000 Community Aid Projects Fund for mutual aid and community-based projects that have students involved in leadership. Students at the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, or Washtenaw Community College applied to receive up to $5,000 for their projects that help the Washtenaw community during this crisis.
Read MoreThis year, we are able to fund 37 projects and 82 Summer Fellows with $350,000. We think these student projects illuminate possibilities for a more just and sustainable world. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us!
Read MoreLast month, six students joined the optiMize Leadership Group as Social Innovation Challenge Leads. These students were selected from the Core Organizing Team to lead the organizing team in putting on the Social Innovation Challenge this winter and next fall. Introducing Caroline, David, Jack, Megha, Mike, and Sweta.
Read MoreAs we recruit students and projects for the 8th Social Innovation Challenge, we asked Cohort 7 Fellows about what they gained from participating in optiMize. We hope that their stories and projects inspire you to ask yourself, Why not me?
Read MoreWe welcomed Jeni to the optiMize full time staff this past August. In her first week, we sat down with Jeni to talk about her background, motivation, and hopes for her new position. Introducing our new Associate Director, Jeni Onley.
Read MoreThree weeks before the semester started, six students came to campus to begin the optiMize Leadership pre-season. These six students were selected from last year’s Core Organizing Team to help lead this semester’s team to put on the eighth Social Innovation Challenge. Introducing Alec, Kirsten, Lilly, Ponette, Steve, and Valerie.
Read MoreJeff Pituch has been with us from the beginning of optiMize seven years ago, and he worked full-time for the last four years. As he leaves the organization and moves to his next adventure, we couldn't be more grateful for JP's unmatched dedication to servant leadership that has changed so many of our lives for the better. We asked him to share some parting reflections below.
Read MoreThis year, optiMize launched the Social Innovation Challenge Detroit Track with support from the University of Michigan Provost’s Office. Read reflections on the track by some of our Fellows.
Read MoreRead about optimize’s first moMentum Fellowship, a two day event that provides prospective transfer students working on social impact projects the opportunity to explore the U-M campus.
Read MoreWe collected book recommendations from the members of our community. Here is a selection of nonfiction, fiction, and more reading recommended by mentors, fellows, and organizers!
Read MoreLast May, Fellows from optiMize Cohort 6 began to work full time on their projects for the summer. Now, one year later, we check back to see the amazing work some of the teams have done!
Read MoreThis year, we are able to fund 36 projects and 66 Summer Fellows with $300,000. We think these student projects illuminate possibilities for a more just and sustainable world. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us!
Read MoreWondering what optiMize is, how it works, and how you can get involved?
Read MoreNew Staff, New Video, Trip to Peru, and More!
Read MoreWe're thrilled to release our new brand video — "optiMize: Stop Waiting"
Read MoreThis year, we are able to fund 27 projects and 27 Summer Fellows with $212,000. We think these student projects illuminate possibilities for a more just and sustainable world. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us!
Read MoreSome optiMize Core Team members spoke with Consider Magazine for the Michigan Bicentennial about the future of education.
Read MoreIn April 2013, when we awarded grants to five project teams in the first optiMize Social Innovation Challenge, one of those grants went to Detroit Entrepreneurship Network, co-founded by Aashka Soni and Andrew Janatka.
Read MoreParisa Soraya and her co-founder Brianna Wolin had no idea what they were going to create when they joined optiMize — they just knew they wanted to make life better for people with chronic illnesses. Through the Challenge, they created a social venture called Find Your Ditto that’s now been called one of the “coolest college startups” in the country by Inc magazine.
Read MoreHaving been a college student in the era of “engaged learning,” I have to report that my experience left a lot to be desired. As I approached my own graduation in 2012, I wondered a few things:
Read More
