Student Impact
At Business for Impact (BFI), we help students grow as leaders for the common good. We engage graduate and undergraduate students in hands-on learning experiences to apply their knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world problems. Business for Impact offers students opportunities to
- serve local enterprises in Georgetown’s Small Business Corps;
- learn about sustainable finance as an Impact Investing Fellow;
- work on impact consulting projects and internships with global companies and organizations;
- and more.
We want every student at Georgetown McDonough to understand that there’s more than one bottom line in business and life.
Small Business Corps
When small businesses grow, local communities thrive.
Small Business Corps (SBC) is a Georgetown McDonough initiative designed to strengthen the greater Washington, D.C., region by empowering small businesses in under-resourced communities. SBC directly addresses the challenges of small businesses by pairing Georgetown MBA students with small businesses to deliver hands-on, actionable solutions in areas that matter most for their growth. We aspire to scale this AmeriCorps-style program nationally in the future.
Learn More About this Innovative Initiative
Impact Investing Fellows
BFI’s Impact Investing Fellowship program serves communities by driving financially and socially sustainable economic development. The program promotes investment in impact through programming, internships, research, partnerships, and advocacy.
Impact Consulting Projects
Georgetown students have the opportunity to engage in consulting projects with innovative, impact-minded companies. Students gain invaluable hands-on experience to help build their career, while providing the companies creative problem solving that helps the companies tackle critical issues for their success.
B Corp Certification
Certified B Corporations (B Corps) are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. More and more companies want to become B Corps, as a result of shifts in consumer demand, the desire for increased employee retention, business leaders’ belief in the importance of “doing well by doing good,” and other factors. Georgetown students are partnering with local organization Bethesda Green to consult with a D.C.-area business that seeks to become a B Corp, with the students taking on projects related to environmental management systems, water conservation, and corporate governance.
Nando’s Peri Peri
Nando’s Peri Peri, a large fast-casual dining chain located in 35 countries and based in South Africa, wants to help its employees thrive and increase their resilience and professional capabilities. Its efforts have included providing private healthcare, school savings programs, flexible and guaranteed working hours, functional management and leadership training, and opportunities for career progression. Georgetown students took the lead in gathering and analyzing critical information from Nando’s employees in the D.C.-area. Business for Impact partnered on this work with Impact Amplifier, a Cape Town-based advisory firm focused on supporting the impact business and investment ecosystem in Southern Africa.
Impact Courses
Business for Impact team members teach a range of courses on corporate purpose and sustainability at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.
Inside the Classroom
- Corporate Social Responsibility taught by Georgetown adjunct professors Leslie Crutchfield and Ladan Manteghi, and developed by Bill Novelli, distinguished professor of the practice emeritus, and founder of Business for Impact.
- Sustainable Finance taught by Georgetown adjunct professor Matt McKenna and developed by Reena Agrawal, Robert E. McDonough professor of finance and director of the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy.
- Social Marketing for Global Good taught by Gael O’Sullivan, adjunct professor and global expert in social marketing and behavior change.
- Nonprofit Leadership & Management taught by adjunct professor Leslie Crutchfield, and developed by Bill Novelli, distinguished professor of the practice emeritus, and founder of Business for Impact.
- Ethical Leadership taught by Bill Novelli, distinguished professor of the practiceemeritus, and founder of Business for Impact.
Outside the Classroom
- Students gain hands-on experience through the BFI Impact Fellows, Impact Consulting, Anacostia Impact Fund, and other programs.
- Students compete to work on BFI projects, developing skills as impact strategists, analysts, interns, project managers, and more.
- Students across Georgetown benefit from BFI speaker series events.
MBA Certificate in Sustainable Business
Georgetown McDonough MBA students can earn a Certificate in Sustainable Business, equipping them to lead successful businesses while addressing 21st-century challenges. Companies face pressing environmental and societal issues, and executives acknowledge the need for sustainability across all business areas due to changing consumer preferences, employee engagement, and supply chain shifts. Graduates of the Sustainable Business Certificate will adeptly navigate these challenges and create value across sectors.
MBA Certificate in Sustainable Business
Alumni
Our commitment to students goes beyond their time on the Hilltop. Whether Georgetown McDonough alumni go on to lead a Fortune 500 company, launch a startup, or pursue careers that span all three sectors – nonprofit, public, and private – those who have engaged with BFI will be prepared to make a difference.
We encourage Georgetown University alumni who are working in or interested in the social impact space to connect with us to stay updated on projects, programming, and student work. We seek partnerships with alumni and their organizations through speaking engagements, event sponsorship, and student mentoring programs. Join our network and collaborate with us to do good.
Alumni Stories
Alumni Stories
Before I decided to pursue an MBA, I was thinking hard about what I want to change in the world. In my nonprofit work, I found that the big policy questions often end with “How are we going to pay…
May 3, 2023
Alumni Stories
A Peace Corps volunteer pivots to business When I was in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, I was a small business development volunteer. I did a lot of small business advising within my community,…
May 3, 2023
Alumni Stories
A big influence that led me to this project was my experience in the Peace Corps, in Senegal. My work there caused me to look more closely at labor unions, the need to advocate for workers in…
May 3, 2023
Request Information
Have questions or need more details about BFI? Reach out to request additional information and learn how we can support your journey toward creating meaningful social impact.