The Yale School of Management, The Goldman Sachs Foundation, and The Pew Charitable Trusts have joined together to form The Partnership on Nonprofit Ventures. As its signature event, The Partnership runs the National Business Plan Competition for Nonprofit Organizations, open to nonprofits seeking to start or expand successful profit-making ventures with substantial cash prizes and technical assistance offered to the winners.

After the conclusion of the Second National Business Plan Competition on May 13, 2004, the Third National Business Plan Competition commences.

The Competition takes place over the course of one year, and includes several Rounds of evaluation. All entrants receive comprehensive feedback from our team of evaluators.

In May 2005, the final twenty entrants will attend the Third Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony where a panel of judges will select four grand-prize winners, each of whom will receive $100,000 and four semi-finalists, each of whom will receive $25,000. In addition to cash awards, the winners will receive hundreds of hours of business planning consultations to assist their organizations to move their ventures forward.

The Partnership enlists Yale School of Management faculty, alumni, and current MBA students, McKinsey & Company consultants, Goldman Sachs professionals, and other experts in the field to evaluate business plans, help with research and case studies, and offer technical assistance to participating nonprofits.

The Eligibility Rules describe the criteria for entering the National Business Plan Competition for Nonprofit Organizations.

Read more about the Entry Process.