The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has announced its selection of three finalist organizations vying for the Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize.  The Lipman Family Prize recognizes and amplifies the work of organizations devoted to positive social impact and the creation of sustainable solutions to significant social and economic challenges.  Prize finalists will present to the Prize Committee on April 12 and the winner will be selected and announced that evening at a gala at the Wharton School marking the inaugural event.  Chosen from hundreds of applicants worldwide, the Lipman Family Prize winning organization will receive $100,000.  All finalists will profit from unprecedented, synergistic opportunities with Penn and Wharton.

The 2012 Lipman Family Prize Finalists Include:

• U.S.-based iDE (www.ideorg.org) provides income opportunities and clean water through sanitation technology and marketing techniques to rural areas in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

• Kenya-based Komaza (www.komaza.org) creates sustainable economic opportunity through microforestry in the Ganze District in Coast Province, Kenya.

• U.S.-based MedShare (medshare.org) bridges the gap between surplus and need in healthcare and has served 88 developing countries globally.

On April 13, the Lipman Family Un-Conference 2012, themed “Vision. Inspiration. Impact,” will be held in Philadelphia and the three finalist organizations will present their groundbreaking work in areas of sanitation, healthcare access and environmental sustainability, to “Un-Conference” participants made up of leaders from the social sector and the Penn community.  The “Un-Conference” will be a participatory dialogue that addresses pressing challenges facing the social sector.  The format avoids a conventional conference structure and is an opportunity to work on problems with fellow participants versus serve as an audience member.  To register, please visit https://whartondeansoffice.wufoo.com/forms/barry-marie-lipman-family-prize-unconference/.  The deadline is March 30.

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