Lipman Family Prize 2027
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Quick Answer
The Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize at Penn: up to US$300,000 (about ₹2.85 crore) unrestricted cash for an established nonprofit with a proven, transferable model. The 2027 round closed 31 July 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- University of Pennsylvania
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 31 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by University of Pennsylvania. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The application round for the Lipman Family Prize 2027 is closed. It ran from 1 July to 31 July 2026, and the official page marks the 2027 application as closed. The prize is yearly and the 2027 round opened on 1 July, so the next round is expected to open around 1 July 2027, but the official page does not yet publish dates for it.
The Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize is awarded by the University of Pennsylvania, through the Wharton School, to nonprofits showing leadership and innovation in the social sector. It is open to organisations anywhere in the world, so established Indian nonprofits can apply.
What the program offers
Three winners are chosen each year:
- Grand prize: US$300,000 (about ₹2.85 crore) in unrestricted cash
- Two further winners: US$150,000 (about ₹1.43 crore) each in unrestricted cash
Unrestricted means you decide how to spend it. The one limit is that winners cannot pass the money on to other organisations or individuals. Winners also get a Lipman Nonprofit Leadership Scholarship for a master's programme at Penn, tuition-free executive education, an ongoing partnership with the university, promotion of their work and a place in the Lipman winner community.
Who can apply
The prize is for established nonprofits, NGOs and civil society organisations. You must hold US nonprofit status or an equivalent legal status in your home country, have operated as a nonprofit for at least three years, and have monitored your work with results available for at least three years. The site's record states a budget ceiling of US$5 million; the official page also sets a floor of US$500,000 on the three-year average operating budget. Organisations that mainly redistribute funds, lobby directly, run religious programmes or discriminate cannot apply.
You do not need to work outside your home country. Past winners cannot reapply, and organisations sharing a global brand with a past winner are also ineligible. Semi-finalists must wait a year. Organisations with direct links to Penn staff, students or faculty are asked to contact the prize office before applying.
For an Indian NGO, this means a registered nonprofit with years of results, financial records and a model other organisations could copy. A young or very small organisation is unlikely to fit.
How to apply
The first phase is an online application with an organisation profile, financial information and essays on five themes: the social challenge, your model, what makes it different, how you measure impact, and transferability. The page says about 100 to 150 applications arrive each year, and trained reviewers score them against a framework.
A practical tip: write the essays as one connected story, because the page says successful applicants tell a cohesive story from problem to solution to impact.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Reviewers score four qualities: leadership, impact, innovation and transferability. Roughly 24 to 40 organisations move to a second phase, where they supply existing documents such as financial information, evaluation tools, strategic plans and staff and board details within about three weeks. Twelve semi-finalists are named in December, then submit final materials including a short video statement from the executive leader. In February the prize committee picks three winners, and in March the winners' leaders interview with the committee to select the grand prize winner.
In-person element: the executive leader of each winner must attend the award ceremony and daytime programme in Philadelphia, with travel and hotel covered for one representative.
About the University of Pennsylvania and the prize
The prize recognises nonprofits and connects them with the Penn community. The process is run by Lipman staff with graduate student fellows and a committee of Lipman family members, Penn faculty and outside social impact professionals.
Things to check before you apply
- Confirm your legal status counts as equivalent to US nonprofit status.
- Prepare evaluation data covering at least three years.
- Plan for the multi-month process, which runs from July to the following spring.
- Money from abroad has legal and tax implications; Indian NGOs should check FCRA and tax treatment with an adviser before applying.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The grand prize winner receives US$300,000 (about ₹2.85 crore) and two more winners receive US$150,000 (about ₹1.43 crore) each, all as unrestricted cash. Winners also receive a Lipman Nonprofit Leadership Scholarship at Penn's School of Social Policy and Practice and join a peer-learning community of past awardees.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Trained reviewers score applications on leadership, impact, innovation and transferability. About 24 to 40 organisations go to a due diligence phase, twelve become semi-finalists, three winners are chosen in February and the grand prize winner is picked after interviews in March.
Application Process
- 1
Open application
Submit the online application in July.
You - 2
- 3
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian NGOs apply for the Lipman Family Prize?
Yes. Organisations in any region can apply, provided they have US nonprofit status or an equivalent legal status at home, at least three years of operation and results data. They do not need to work outside their own country.
How much can a winner receive?
The grand prize is US$300,000 (about ₹2.85 crore) and two other winners each receive US$150,000 (about ₹1.43 crore). All are unrestricted cash.
What was the deadline and has it passed?
The 2027 round closed on 31 July 2026. The next open round is expected to start on 1 July 2027, though the official page does not publish those dates yet.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is an unrestricted cash prize to nonprofits, so there is no equity. Winners cannot redistribute the money to other organisations or individuals.
Can past winners apply again?
No. The top three each year cannot reapply, and organisations sharing a global brand with a past awardee are also ineligible. Semi-finalists must wait one year.
What documents are needed?
The first round needs an organisation profile, financial information and essays. Later phases ask for items such as financial documents, evaluation tools, strategic plans, board and staff information and a short video from the executive leader.
Do winners have to travel?
Yes, the executive leader of each winner must attend the award ceremony and programme in Philadelphia. The prize covers travel and hotel for one representative.
How long does the process take?
It runs from the July application through due diligence in the autumn and semi-finalist review in winter. Winners are chosen in February and the grand prize is announced at an April ceremony.
How are applications judged?
Reviewers look at leadership, impact, innovation and transferability. The page says successful applicants tell a clear story and have learning-oriented leadership.
Is it free to enter?
The official page lists no application fee but does not state explicitly that entry is free.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
