F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Impact 2026 (USD $150,000 unrestricted award)

The Kirby Prize recognizes enterprises pursuing strategic pathways to impact at scale, who are close to the challenges at hand, who center the voice and experience of the populations they serve, who have demonstrated traction, and who embody courageous and collaborative leadership.  This prize is open to any legal form, geographic location, and any social or environmental impact area.

Benefits

• One social enterprise will be selected to receive a USD $150,000 unrestricted award.
• Organizations making it to the finalist round will receive a USD$1,000 award in recognition of their time and effort participating in the full application process.
• Institutional and Brand support from CASE at Duke.
• Opportunity for our MBA students to learn from you and the process.

Eligibility

The F. M. Kirby Impact Prize is open to all impact enterprises, working anywhere in the world, that meet the following criteria:

• Nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid social enterprise operating anywhere in the world.  However, because of tax implications, any international enterprise applicant must also have an established presence in the U.S., whereby they are a United States Taxpayer and hold a federal taxpayer identification number. This could include organization recognized as an organization exempt from federal income tax under IRC section 501(c)3 status, a U.S.-based fiscal sponsorship agreement, or other.
• Strong evidence of impact for at least 3 years and has a plan for how to use the Prize to scale that impact in the next 3-5 years.
• Has a minimum operating budget of at least $250,000 (USD).
  Please note that our strongest applicants will have an operating budget between $1-3 million (USD)
• Has exemplary leadership that aligns with the core values of Fred Morgan Kirby, including integrity, resourcefulness, resilience, meaningful collaboration, and diversity

For more information and application.