Together for Local and Global Change
Impact works to unite and strengthen nonprofits dedicated to alleviating poverty both locally and internationally. Together, we build stronger networks that create lasting change.
Our Vision
To unite and strengthen nonprofits addressing poverty worldwide by using universities as leadership hubs, while training the next generation of leaders and empowering students to act as catalysts for meaningful, lasting change.
Our Mission
To connect developed and underdeveloped regions through universities as leadership platforms, linking nonprofits in collaborative partnerships—for example, pairing New York with South Africa or establishing local initiatives such as Impact New York.
Empowering Change Through Partnership
Through these partnerships, Impact avoids duplication of efforts and strengthens existing initiatives. What begins as a grassroots effort—student organizations linking with nonprofits in targeted communities—quickly grows into meaningful collaboration. Students engage in advocacy and fundraising through events and personal outreach, while nonprofits gain vital support and visibility. Together, we build a stronger foundation for long-term impact, locally and globally.
Collaboration today lays the foundation for transformation tomorrow, as students and nonprofits unite to create lasting impact in communities both locally and globally
Join Hands for Change
Have questions or want to get involved? Connect with us today and be part of creating meaningful change—locally and globally.
Student directors serve a minimum of one year, with opportunities for renewal based on performance and commitment. At the highest level, an Executive Director oversees all student directors, ensuring alignment with Impact’s mission and vision, while also addressing challenges and providing strategic guidance.
Turning Ideas Into Action
The Impact initiative begins as a grassroots effort, with student organizations partnering with nonprofits that serve targeted communities. These partnerships focus on advocacy and fundraising through events and one-on-one presentations. To prepare students for meaningful engagement, Impact provides training in conflict management and cultural sensitivity. In addition, all student leaders and members sign a code of conduct that reflects and upholds Impact’s values. Over time, students may also earn service-learning credits in their academic departments by contributing their unique expertise to these efforts.
Collaboration with partner nonprofits is central to Impact’s model. Students are encouraged to explore ways to strengthen or expand existing initiatives, often through their service-learning contributions. Leadership within each state is guided by graduate student directors—one focused on international partnerships and the other on local initiatives. These directors work closely with an experienced state advisory board to connect universities, communities, and nonprofits at both state and international levels.
To enhance visibility and outreach, each state also appoints a marketing student director, who works in close collaboration with both graduate directors. Beyond state leadership, regional graduate student directors are designated for areas such as Latin America and Africa. These regional directors oversee dynamics within their regions and work alongside marketing students to address challenges and amplify impact.
Principles That Shape Impact
Conflict Management
Learning effective conflict management builds character and fosters respectful, meaningful dialogue. At Impact, we believe that strong, healthy relationships are essential to both ethical individuals and organizations. To cultivate these relationships, leaders must develop key skills such as accurate perception, empathy, clear communication, critical thinking, and problem solving, all of which can be strengthened through the practice of conflict management. To support this growth, Impact offers workshops on conflict management for members, leaders, and interested individuals, with participation required for all Impact leaders.
Cultural Sensitivity
We treat people in poverty with respect by not defining them by their circumstances but by their intrinsic human value. Impact offers a workshop centered on this topic, emphasizing dignity and equality in every interaction. Furthermore, an educational workshop about the cultural background of the country of interest is required to ensure leaders engage with true understanding. Impact leaders are required to respond to the workshop, fostering awareness, empathy, and deeper compassion. This approach not only equips leaders with cultural sensitivity but also strengthens partnerships built on respect, trust, and shared humanity.
Partnerships
We work together with the existing efforts of internationally focused nonprofits
Transparency and Accountability
We strive to carry out strategy and goals in a clear, direct manner, and to be held responsible for our actions.
Turning Vision Into Action
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Impact partners with internationally focused anti-poverty organizations and fundraises and/or travels through them. Although the nonprofit world is extremely competitive for funds, Impact believes in win/win situations. Through these partnerships, Impact avoids duplication of efforts and supports existing efforts.
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Furthermore, Impact believes in focused, systematic, and sustainable efforts. By pairing universities with underdeveloped communities and, at a larger level, developed states, provinces, and countries with underdeveloped countries, development will not only be collaborative but also deeply effective.
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This pairing will include the creation of student chapters at universities, such as Impact Kenya Purdue or Impact Kenya IU. Each chapter will take an active role in fundraising for underdeveloped communities, raising awareness about poverty alleviation, and advocating for Impact’s mission.
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Lastly, Impact cares about the personal development of the individual. We encourage this personal development through our values centered around conflict management, culturally sensitive service, and collaborative partnerships. Consequently, we hope to build a more peaceful just society.