Lipman Family Prize 2027

The Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize at the University of Pennsylvania is an annual global award that recognizes organizations demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in the social sector. With a strong emphasis on practices that are transferable across contexts, the prize highlights solutions that can be scaled to create positive change worldwide.

Applications for the 2027 Lipman Family Prize are now open.

Award Components

Each year, three organizations are selected:

• Grand Prize Winner: $300,000 unrestricted cash award.
• Two Additional Winners: $150,000 unrestricted cash award each.

All winners also receive:

• An ongoing partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, including access to resources and networks to strengthen organizational sustainability.
• Promotion of their work to a global audience and integration into the Lipman Prize community.
• Tuition-free executive education programs at Wharton Executive Education and the Center for Social Impact Strategy (valued at approximately $15,000).
• The exclusive Lipman Nonprofit Leadership Scholarship at Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice (valued at approximately $10,000).

Evaluation Criteria

Organizations are assessed against four key qualities:

• Leadership – sustainable approaches that provide adaptable solutions to universal problems.
• Impact – demonstrated proof of concept and readiness to scale.
• Innovation – differentiated approaches to pressing social challenges.
• Transferability – practices that can be adopted by others across the social impact sector.

Eligibility

The prize is open to nonprofit/NGO/civil society organizations worldwide that:

• Hold nonprofit status (U.S. or international equivalent).
• Have operated for at least three years.
• Provide impact results from at least three years of monitoring and evaluation.
• Maintain a three-year average annual operating budget between $500,000 and $5M USD.
• Do not operate primarily to redistribute funds, engage in lobbying, or deliver programs with religious content.

Application Process

• Open Application Round: July 1 – 31, 2026.
• Notification of Status: September 2026.
• Award Announcement: April 2027 at the University of Pennsylvania.

Applicants undergo a rigorous review process, including due diligence, semi-finalist selection, and final evaluation by faculty and staff at Penn.

Why Apply

The Lipman Family Prize offers more than funding. It provides recognition, global visibility, and access to a network of peers and resources that strengthen organizations and amplify their impact. It is designed for organizations ready to scale their solutions and share their practices with the broader social sector.

Disclaimer

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Agri-web. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official Lipman Family Prize platforms for complete program details and verified application instructions. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to exercise due diligence before submitting any personal or sensitive information.