Crandall Challenge
WHARTON GRADUATE EMERITUS SOCIETY
Crandall Challenge
THE WHARTON GRADUATE EMERITUS SOCIETY
2017 Crandall Challenge Citation Winners
Sun Valley, ID
Chip’s business career has centered on Sun Valley ID and its development. Previous work chairing Idaho efforts supporting the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City led to his being chosen to financially turn around the Special Olympics Winter Games in 2009, earning a surplus. He subsequently chaired the R4 Alliance, serving 175,000 servicemen with disabilities, growing from 8 founding members to 58 Programs of Excellence serving our veterans
For over 50 years Chip has served a board member for multiple not for profit organizations in Sun Valley, Idaho to create a cradle to rest upon. For to Chip’s mind, the lure of Sun Valley lies within the wellbeing of its not for profits be them hospitals, educational institutions, art centers or ski educational programs. In the 1990’s-2020’s Chip was asked by four different Idaho Governor’s to participate and help lead Idaho’s efforts to reframe the State’s educational system. The second and third Governor had Chip to Chairing the Idaho Olympic Commission to assist Utah in staging the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002. A fourth Governor asked Chip to turn around a failing Organizing Committee that was to host the 2009 Special Olympic World Games in 2009, which he did and became the one the largest Special Olympic Winter Game to this day and the first to earn a surplus.
Lake Forest, IL
Robert founded Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab (NEL) in Chicago in 2017. Paired with non-profit lender, NEL works with entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities providing mentoring, business plan awards, capital. Currently there are 20 entrepreneurs in program.
The Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab (NEL) provides grants for entre startups that focuses on disadvantaged communities. It partners with the Chicago Community Trust. Bob formed Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab in 2018. The organization identifies entrepreneurs in disadvantaged communities in Chicago and provides coaching, connections and capital. In year 1 NEL had 1 entrepreneur. In years 1 thru 4 there have been a total of 21 NEL alums. In year 5 there are 20 entrepreneurs in this year’s class!
The NEL program was developed in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust and lead donor, Bob Crawford, to provide capital, coaching, and collaboration to entrepreneurs poised for growth. The program pairs small business owners with investors, advisors and strategists who provide intensive assistance as well as introductions to influential contacts within their personal networks. In addition, each entrepreneur receives a $20,000 grant to grow their business.
2017 Crandall Challenge Citation Honor Roll
How to Get Started Helping Others
Thinking about volunteering but haven’t made up your mind exactly as to what or where? Maybe we can help. Several simple steps can make the path clearer, easier, and more specific to your needs and interests. Here are some of them:
- Narrow the field: What areas of human endeavor interest you most? From aardvarks to zymurgy, many things happening in life need attention, help and betterment. Whether it’s tennis, math, cooking, plant life, poetry – or anything else – volunteer groups most everywhere will welcome your help. Go where your heart and head may lead you.
- Consider time: Estimate the hours you’d be willing to donate to volunteer activity in a month. Even an amount not likely to change your lifestyle still affects your schedule. Whether two or twenty, it should be a committed period you enjoy, so you and your working partners get the greatest benefit. Also include necessary travel time.
- Get help: There are multiple sources ready to supply future direction. If you have a computer, several national websites offer help. Several states also have websites devoted to helping you reach volunteer organizations in your region and city.