Pitch Your Passion Competition

Pitch Your Passion and Win a Four-year Scholarship

Are you an IU Indianapolis undergraduate or transfer student who is passionate about a particular social or economic challenge? A current high school senior with an interest in giving back to your community?

If so, the Pitch Your Passion student competition may be right for you.

Two top winners of Pitch Your Passion will be awarded a Thomasson Scholarship, which covers up to four years of tuition and fees, room and board, books, and a semester abroad. Other winners will be awarded partial scholarships.

Sponsored by Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUI, Pitch Your Passion is a student competition held on March 8, open to current IUI undergraduate students (with fewer than 60 credits) who plan to major in Philanthropic Studies, transfer students, and high school seniors who have been admitted to IUI.  (Double major Philanthropic Studies students also are eligible.)

Using a philanthropic model, participating students will identify a current economic, social, or cultural challenge, and, together with other students with a similar area of interest, will present a group plan of action that leverages resources to bring about a transformative change for the population impacted by the challenge identified. Previous presentations have addressed issues like mental health, sexual abuse, homelessness, and the need for resources for new mothers.

In addition to the group presentation, students will be evaluated on their grades, extracurricular activities and interests, academic and career goals, and an individual interview with a faculty and staff committee.

To apply, you must be:

  • A current undergraduate IU Indianapolis student with fewer than 60 credits who plans to major in Philanthropic Studies, a high school senior or transfer student. Students who double major in philanthropic studies are also eligible.
  • Admitted to IUI
  • Planning to major in Philanthropic Studies