Community

Rising Leaders for Social Impact Forum

Through carefully tailored content and small peer group discussion, students focused on social impact are engaged in reflection, conversations, tools, and networking to help them lead positive change in the world. The Rising Leaders for Social Impact Forum builds a robust community that connects students and alumni, supports success in the classroom, and helps navigate this unique career path.

Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship

Through the Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship, awards of approximately $10,000 are given to 7-10 first-year MBA students who have exhibited leadership and an extraordinary commitment to working in the not-for-profit sector. This fellowship is given in addition to any need-based fellowship awards and is awarded for the two years of the MBA program.

This fellowship was created in 1988 by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation and Richard L. Menschel, MBA 1959, to encourage students from the not-for-profit sector to pursue an MBA at HBS. Mr. Menschel, a former director of the foundation and limited partner at Goldman Sachs, was an early supporter of the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative and served on the Advisory Board. Recipients are invited to participate in events with current and former recipients, as well as local non-profit leaders in an effort to create a network of individuals committed to working in the sector. More than 200 students have received this award since its inception.

Recipients of this award have served in full-time leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector prior to enrolling at Harvard Business School (HBS) and demonstrate a strong commitment to a career in the sector.

Student Clubs & Activities

Social Enterprise Club

The Social Enterprise Club is the central, student-led hub for HBS students committed to creating positive societal change. The club seeks to connect students with individuals and organizations tackling critical social issues across the non-profit, public, and private sectors. Through panels, workshops, community-building events, and collaborations across HBS and the broader Harvard community, we equip members with the skills, knowledge, and networks to integrate social enterprise into their careers. Whether you are just beginning to explore social impact or bringing deep experience to the space, SEC provides a launching pad to learn, connect, and thrive.

Social Enterprise Conference

An annual two-day conference held jointly with students from HBS and Harvard Kennedy School that provides a forum for exploring the synergies between all sectors to address critical social issues worldwide.

Consulting for Impact Club

The Consulting for Impact Club (CFI) matches Harvard MBA candidates with nonprofit and social impact focused organizations for consulting engagements spanning the academic year. During this time, groups of students complete a strategic consulting project (4 hours per month per student) for their partner organization under the mentorship of the organization’s executive staff or Board members. Students will work with partner organizations to refine and develop the project scope, develop key deliverables, conduct necessary analysis, and ultimately prepare recommendations for review. Projects run from October through April.

Education Club

The club aims to provide students with a platform for shared learning and a cross-functional network to drive change and impact in the education sector. The club hosts a series of events including panel discussions, fireside chats, career/learning treks, alumni networking sessions, and cross-school social mixers.

Energy & Climate Club

The club seeks to represent and promote the energy, clean tech, and environment-related industries at Harvard Business School.

Future of Work Club

The club acts as a forum through which members can engage in topics related to the Future of Work, from exploring the substantial disruptions occurring in the workforce to understanding their causes, dynamics, and implications on society. The club offers a newsletter, speaker series, and other community-building and career-related opportunities.

Government & Public Policy Club

This club provides a forum for MBA students to explore the intersection of business and government, and to better understand the role that public institutions play in society. The club facilitates this exploration through community building, extracurricular programming, alumni engagement, and experiential learning opportunities.

HBS Volunteer Corps

The mission of the Volunteer Corps is to inspire, organize, and facilitate community volunteer programs for members of the Harvard Business School community. Our main programs include small business consulting, youth academic and mentorship support, and other community engagement events.

Health Care Club

The Health Care Club’s mission is to inspire, support, and unite the next generation of health care leaders. We bring together students driven to advance health care in biotech, pharma, devices, digital health, investing, global health, payers, and providers. Through events, education, and collaboration, we connect members with career opportunities, industry leaders, and a lifelong network.

Impact Investing Club

The club aims to provide students with the skills, experience, and network necessary to become the next generation of impact investing leaders. The club offers a variety of speaker events, career treks, hands-on investing opportunities, alumni mentorship, and cross-school social events to help foster a strong community of students with a shared interest in the field of impact investing.