Sands Family Social Venturing Fellowship

Bill & Susan Sands graduated from the University of Minnesota and dedicated their lives to making the Twin Cities a better community.  Through the Western Bank, Neighborhood Development Center, Jeremiah Program and numerous other social and economic development organizations, Bill and Susan provided opportunity and assistance to individuals in need. Through the Sands Family Social Venturing Fellowship, they hope to inspire future generations of Carlson MBA students to have a similar positive impact in their local community.

Financial support provides Carlson MBA students with the opportunity to create transformative social ventures that contribute to local community. MBA students are encouraged to either develop plans to launch their own new social venture or co-design summer internship projects with local mission-based organizations. Grants of $5,000 will be awarded to students who propose new ventures or internships that provide tangible benefits to the local community in the form of community and neighborhood economic development, housing, health and reducing poverty.  Additional funding is available for students whose ventures advance beyond the experiential STARTUP course.

Sands Fellows participating in this program have launched new ventures to address workforce training, affordable housing, homelessness, nutrition, social justice, mental health, youth education, gun violence, women's shelters, nonprofit capitalization, health care services, medical devices and a broad range of other social ventures.  Now in its 12th year, 80 Sands Fellows have either partnered with existing organizations or launched new ventures that address important societal issues in the Twin Cities. Through their fellowships, these students have honed their entrepreneurship skills and taken their initial steps to become visible leaders in the community.

Emily Johnson 

Proposed Social Venture: Inclusive Ballet Program

Inclusive dance program aims to break down barriers in ballet through a week-long curriculum with scholarships and culturally appropriate resources, fostering a diverse community and empowering underrepresented dancers to succeed.

Calvin Watson 

Proposed Social Venture: Homeless Workforce Training 

Support homeless individuals in the Twin Cities through real-time access to critical resources and mobile workforce training programs for long-term stability and independence.

Katie McElrath 

Proposed Social Venture: Vertical Farming Initiative

Establish a vertical farm in Minneapolis to address health equity and food insecurity by providing affordable, pesticide-free produce to low-income communities. 

Stephany Smith 

Proposed Social Venture: Therapeutic Puzzles

Therapeutic puzzles combining grounding techniques, affirmations, and mental health tips to provide a calming, educational tool for managing anxiety, stress, and depression.

Kristina Van Deusen

Proposed Social Venture: Survivor Empowerment

Provide financial consulting, micro-loans, and resources to help women rebuild financially after leaving abusive relationships, empowering survivors with independence and long-term stability.

Indri Dyrmishi 

Proposed Social Venture: Businessopoly Game

Gamified learning tool that simplifies entrepreneurship education for primary and high school students, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and strategic thinking through play.

Mukesh Sah 

Proposed Social Venture: DME Access Solutions

Improve access to DME for older adults and individuals with disabilities in Minnesota by developing educational resources and enhancing service efficiency in the industry.

Rozalyn Maney 

Proposed Social Venture: SSDI Application Resources

Empower individuals with disabilities, and their support teams, by providing clear guidance and resources to navigate the SSDI application process efficiently.

Katie Henning 

Proposed Social Venture: Internship with Bloom 

Strategic planning internship with Bloom Early Learning and Childcare, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing equitable access to early learning and care so that children and families thrive and find pathways out of poverty.