The Do Good Institute is excited to announce the selection of the 2025 Do Good Challenge semi-finalists. These student-led teams will compete for the opportunity to advance to the Do Good Challenge Finals where they will present in front of a panel of expert judges and a live audience to compete for a share of $40,000 in prize money (double last year’s amount)!
The previous Projects and Venture tracks have been revised into new tracks: Founders and Leaders. Founders is for competitors who are original founders or creators of the organization, project or initiative. The Leaders track is for competitors in leadership or decision-making roles (e.g., director, president, manager). This includes chapters, projects or subsidiaries of larger organizations.
A total of 12 teams were selected to advance as semi-finalists, from an impressive group of student teams creating change from across campus. Of the teams, five are returning Challenge competitors and five have participated in the Do Good Accelerator Fellows program. This year's semi-finalist teams are tackling various social issues from providing accessible learning programs to combating food insecurity and housing instability to expanding healthcare access to underserved communities.
Making it to the semi-finals of the Do Good Challenge is a remarkable achievement, and it's been exciting to see the innovative approaches these teams are taking toward social impact. As we move into the next stage, I’m eager to hear more about their stories and how they plan to scale their solutions. Their potential for meaningful change is clear, and I can’t wait to see how they build on their momentum.Catherine Curtis Program Coordinator
This year’s semi-finals will be taking place on Friday, March 7, at the Do Good Accelerator, with finalist teams announced on April 1. Social impact and innovation experts from across University of Maryland’s campus make up the semi-finals judge panel, including: Craig Keir (Arts for All), Erica Estrada-Liou (Academy for Innovation & Entrepreneurship), Nima Farschi (Center for Social Value Creation), Abigail McEwen (Latin American Studies Center and Carillon Communities), Breana Echols (Leadership & Community Service-Learning) and Antoyna da Silva (Center for Community Engagement).
Meet the 2025 Do Good Challenge Semi-Finalist Teams
Founders Track
Art. Play. Learn. is dedicated to making high-quality education accessible to students everywhere. With a mission to advance social equity through education, the organization offers experiential, research-backed curricula for learners of all ages, abilities and subjects. It also equips educators with innovative teaching tools designed with universal design principles. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge educational technology, Art. Play. Learn. creates new pathways for schools, independent learners and homeschooling families to access the support they need for a complete and enriching education. Over the past five years, the organization has nearly doubled its revenue, growing from $45,056 in 2020 to $71,039 in 2024. In that time, it has served more than 450 students through group lessons alone and delivered nine in-school programs in Baltimore City Public Schools, reaching an estimated 324 additional students.
- Meredith Kaunitz ‘27, College of Information Studies
Black Star Wellness Initiative (BSWI), an initiative under True Community, aims to improve health literacy, emergency preparedness and first aid skills in underserved communities across Ghana. By providing CPR/AED and first aid training, BSWI addresses the critical need for accessible healthcare knowledge, particularly in rural areas. Since 2023, BSWI has trained more than 2,530 individuals—primarily women and young people—empowering communities with lifesaving skills that have directly saved at least 47 lives. The initiative has also established four training centers and trained 40 Ghanaian instructors to ensure year-round impact. In the future, BSWI aims to expand to all 16 regions of Ghana by establishing training centers, recruiting local instructors and developing community-led programs tailored to local needs.
- Ebenezer Mensah ‘26, College of Education
Breaking The Ice empowers entrepreneurs, small business owners and nonprofit executive directors by connecting them with essential resources, strategic partnerships and tailored support. As an ecosystem development firm, Breaking The Ice cultivates a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes sustainable growth, economic resilience and inclusivity within marginalized communities. Through workshops, entrepreneurship fairs, networking events and expert-led panels, the organization has helped clients earn more than $50,000 in programs like Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women/Black Business and the Maryland Momentum Fund. Breaking the Ice is also expanding globally, collaborating with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Trade and Education to create entrepreneurial infrastructure and marketplaces for West African Businesses.
- Isha Kamara ‘20, MiM ‘24, CNML ’25, Robert H. Smith School of Business and School of Public Policy
Dare to Dream Inc. is where youth entrepreneurship sparks family transformation. The organization empowers young people, especially those from marginalized communities, to build businesses and create pathways to economic mobility. Through hands-on programs, mentorship and community-driven initiatives, Dare to Dream equips students with the skills, resources and networks needed to turn their ideas into reality—creating ripple effects that uplift entire families. In just two and a half years, Dare to Dream has reached more than 1,500 youth in the DMV area and achieved a 98% success rate in helping students launch their own businesses. With $120,000 in new program funding in 2025 and a new marketing campaign strategy with a 70% open rate, Dare to Dream is positioned for continued growth.
- Takiyah Roberts ‘25, Undergraduate Studies; College Park Scholars (Science, Technology and Society)
Hungry 4 Change (H4C) connects individuals struggling financially to critical resources that mitigate social stressors such as food insecurity and housing instability. In the past year, Hungry 4 Change (H4C) has assisted 200 individuals and families with rent relief, food security and healthcare enrollment. Through its Hungry 2 Help project, the organization has provided access to SNAP benefits and employment assistance. H4C also empowers communities through workshops that help individuals apply for aid, understand tenant rights, and navigate financial challenges. The organization aims to serve Maryland's most at-risk communities, specifically in Montgomery County, Baltimore, Prince George's County and the District of Columbia.
- Grace Kim ‘26, School of Public Policy
- Giovanni Marchand ‘20, Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Movement Street (TMS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making community service accessible, enjoyable and impactful. Founded in 2020, TMS focuses on empowering underserved communities by creating creative and inclusive pathways for people, especially young adults, to volunteer. Through in-person, virtual and passive service initiatives, TMS fosters a sense of connection and belonging while addressing critical community needs. In 2024, TMS engaged more than 700 community members, facilitated 300+ volunteer hours and partnered with organizations to amplify its impact. TMS continues to inspire action, improve community well-being and redefine volunteerism as a shared and meaningful experience.
- Lyric Amodia ‘25, Robert H. Smith School of Business
Leaders Track
Bitcamp is one of the largest collegiate hackathons on the east coast, bringing together more than 1,000 students annually from across the country to explore technology, develop innovative projects and grow their skills in a supportive, inclusive environment. For over a decade, the hackathon has been a hub for technological exploration, where students of all experience levels can build websites, apps and hardware projects while learning from industry mentors. Its impact extends beyond the event itself, encouraging participants to pursue careers in technology, entrepreneurship and social innovation. Each year, Bitcamp raises more than $160,000 in sponsorship funding to ensure the hackathon remains free, inclusive, and innovative, offering access to mentorship, workshops, and learning opportunities. In 2024, it saw 2,000 registrations, with over 1,000 active hackers and 158 project submissions. In 2024, Bitcamp was honored with a Governor’s Citation in 2024 for its role in fostering accessible tech education.
- Anjali Samavedam ‘26, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Food Recovery Network (FRN) at the University of Maryland is a student-run volunteer group that rescues surplus food from dining halls, athletic venues and catering kitchens, delivering it to community partners serving those in need across the DMV area. In 2024, with more than 200 volunteers and 15+ partner organizations contributing more than 3,000 service hours, FRN recovered more than 28,000 pounds of food, equivalent to about 23,000 meals. Surplus food was distributed to the UMD Campus Pantry, Christian Life Center, and FLAME, benefiting both the UMD community and surrounding areas. Dining halls regularly contribute more than 100 pounds of food per night, with athletic events often doubling that number. FRN is also committed to sustainability, reducing approximately 18 metric tons of CO2 emissions and saving 3.32 million gallons of water in 2024 alone. Through these efforts, the organization continues to make a meaningful impact on both local food security and the environment.
- Sophia Li ‘26, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences; Honors College (Integrated Life Sciences)
LeadUp is a student-led nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children worldwide while empowering students to drive meaningful change. Since its founding in 2018, LeadUp has raised $98,000 and grown to 155 members and eight coordinators. The organization has funded food packages for orphans, built water wells, and supported a school for special needs children in Africa. Locally, LeadUp has donated $5,000 and 400 books to the INOVA Cancer Center in 2024 and renovated a children’s wellness center library. Through these efforts, LeadUp fosters leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to service, creating lasting opportunities for children to thrive. LeadUp was also honored with the Journalists and Writers Association "Young Change Makers Award" from among 80 applicants worldwide.
- Zuleyha Akpinar ‘27, A. James Clark School of Engineering
Pre-Health Global Brigades (PHGB) is dedicated to expanding access to quality healthcare in under-resourced communities. Since 2021 PHGB has completed five volunteer-driven medical brigades (in Panama, Greece, Honduras, and Guatemala) and has two more planned for this summer. PHGB collaborates with healthcare professionals to provide vital medical, dental, vision, and pharmaceutical services during its brigades, including triage stations, dental extractions, fillings, vision exams and medication distribution. With more than $230,000 raised for travel and operations, PHGB engages hundreds of new members each year, helping hundreds of patients per trip and educating communities on preventive care. By combining medical care with health education, PHGB empowers communities to take charge of their well-being.
- Tami Mumuney ‘26, College of Arts and Humanities; College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- Paige Boyland ‘25, School of Public Health
Terp Thon is a student-run organization at the University of Maryland that supports patients and families fighting pediatric illness and injury at Children’s National Hospital. As Maryland’s largest student-run philanthropy, Terp Thon hosts events throughout the year, culminating in a 12-hour dance marathon each March, where more than 1,000 participants celebrate their impact and bring joy to the families they support. In 2024 alone, Terp Thon raised more than $275,000. Through its year-round efforts, Terp Thon has raised awareness about pediatric health issues, fostered a strong sense of community and created a platform for students to engage in philanthropy.
- Sydney St. Jacques ‘27, Robert H. Smith School of Business
- Madeleine Bulman ‘25, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
Terrapin Think Tank (TTT) is the University of Maryland’s first student-led policy incubator, dedicated to addressing health challenges in Prince George’s County through community-centered solutions. Over the past three and a half years, TTT has developed and advocated for policy initiatives in partnership with the School of Public Health’s Office of Public Health Practice and Community Engagement, elected officials, and the Prince George’s County Health Department. Notable efforts include distributing 750 menstrual products through a pilot program at the Hyattsville Branch Library and offering a health equity certification course for the county's Healthcare Action Coalition. Since its inception, TTT has experienced significant growth, with 11 student fellows, 14 ongoing research projects, and 25 student-led white papers.
- Ethan Adler ‘25, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- Esohe Owie ‘25, MPH ‘26, School of Public Health
Do Good Challenge Finalists will be announced on April 1, 2025. Finals will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 on campus at the University of Maryland. Doors open at the public reception at 6:15 p.m. with the final showtime starting at 7:00 p.m.
The Do Good Challenge and the Do Good Institute are made possible by the support and commitment of our dedicated partners, donors and community.
We are incredibly grateful to the Karen and Bruce Levenson Family Foundation for its visionary leadership and partnership since 2010. Today, thousands of student leaders are making a deep impact in their communities through UMD's Do Good Campus.
A special thank you to Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management for its decade-plus lead sponsorship of the Do Good Challenge; The Rothschild Foundation for its transformative partnership with the Do Good Institute and Do Good Challenge; and Freed Photography for capturing every in-person Do Good Challenge Finals.
