---
title: $40K Philanthropic Challenge Celebrates Societal Impact
date: 2025-04-21T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/40k-philanthropic-challenge-celebrates-societal-impact"
section: Articles
---
# $40K Philanthropic Challenge Celebrates Societal Impact

*April 21, 2025* — by [Ruby Siefken ’26](/author/ruby-siefken-26)


> 6 Student Teams to Demonstrate How They ‘Do Good’ in Pitch Competition

*Do Good Challenge Finalists 1920x1080 — Six student teams will present their ideas for making a positive impact on society at the Do Good Challenge finals on Tuesday.*

What do a student-run hackathon, a dance marathon and a youth CPR program have in common? They’re all led by University of Maryland students who believe changing the world doesn’t have to wait until graduation. This year’s Do Good Challenge finalists are tackling big problems with bold ideas—and they can point to lives saved, dollars raised and businesses launched to prove it.

The 13th annual finals will be held Tuesday, with six student-led teams pitching solutions to social issues to a panel of expert judges and a live audience. They’ll compete for a share of $40,000—nearly double last year’s prize money.

[Do Good Institute](https://dogood.umd.edu/) Program Coordinator Catherine Curtis said she never tires of watching students inspire one another.

“The challenge draws students from all different schools, colleges and majors, but they all have a common goal of wanting to make the world a better place,” Curtis said. “This is all about inspiration and celebration even more than it is about competition.”

The Do Good Institute, based in the School of Public Policy, reimagined the two competition tracks this year. The founders track is designed for students who have created an original organization, project or initiative, while the leaders track is for those in leadership or decision-making roles, often as a member of a larger club or outside organization.

Take a look at how finalists from both tracks aim for impact:



## Founder’s Track



*Ebenezer Mensah headshot — Ebenezer Mensah ‘26*



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*Takiyah Roberts headshot — Takiyah Roberts ‘25*



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*Lyric Amodia headshot — Lyric Amodia ‘25*



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## Leaders Track



*Anjali Samavedam and Sharvari Tirodkar — Anjali Samavedam ‘26 and Sharvari Tirodkar '26*



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*Maddy Bulman and Anna Devoto — Madeleine Bulman ‘25 and Anna Devoto ‘26*



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*Kyle Zibell and Sophia Li — Sophia Li ‘26 and Kyle Zibell ‘26*



**Sidebar note:**

Join Do Good Challenge contestants Tuesday at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center as finalists pitch how their work is making a difference. Doors open for the public reception at 6:15 p.m. with the program starting at 7.

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All through April, Maryland Today will celebrate how the University of Maryland is reimagining learning and teaching. Find more stories at [today.umd.edu/topic/we-reimagine-learning](https://today.umd.edu/topic/we-reimagine-learning).





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Academic Competitions](https://today.umd.edu/topic/academic-competitions), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [School of Public Policy](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-public-policy)