by Ella Smith ’27 —
The Rauch Center for Business Communication is proud to announce the launch of the Social Impact Proposal Writing Award, a new initiative designed to celebrate persuasive, evidence-driven student writing. This annual award is open to all students enrolled in BUS 003, with application periods in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. For Fall 2025, students are encouraged to submit their BUS 003 nonprofit proposals between November 4th and December 28th. Selected submissions will receive a cash award and be honored at a spring celebration.
At the heart of this award is the BUS 003 Nonprofit Proposal Project, an assignment in Lehigh’s introductory business communications course. In this project, students act as consultants for a fictional company, researching and proposing a strategic partnership between a fictional corporation and a local Lehigh Valley nonprofit. This assignment challenges students to combine persuasive writing with practical business strategy, strengthening their communication, research, and analytical skills while exploring how organizations can drive positive social impact.
“BUS 003’s Nonprofit Proposal Project requires that students do research to learn about a specific nonprofit’s mission, goals, operations, and needs,” explains Katrina Zalatan, teaching professor of management and director of Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication. “Students gain understanding in many ways, including volunteering, interviews, site visits, and secondary research.”
Building on this, Zalatan adds, “This project challenges students to propose creative ways a business could engage with a nonprofit organization to achieve aligned goals and provide benefits to their greater communities.”
The Social Impact Proposal Writing Award reflects this challenge by encouraging students to write with clarity, conviction and a community-conscious approach. In Spring 2025 alone, BUS 003 students featured 90 unique organizations, demonstrating both the depth of research and the engagement this project inspires.
“Many nonprofit organizations are excited for the opportunity to share what they work on and increase exposure for their missions,” says Carolina Hernandez, assistant dean and director of the Community Service Office. “As a result, many nonprofit organizations welcomed Lehigh students in their engagement with the proposal, including allowing students to volunteer and conduct information interviews.”
Entries will be reviewed by a committee from the Rauch Center for Business Communication and staff from Lehigh’s Community Service Office in April 2026. Award winners will be recognized at a Spring 2026 celebration, where featured nonprofit organizations will also be invited to attend.
Ultimately, the Social Impact Proposal Writing Award not only recognizes outstanding student writing but also strengthens the connection between Lehigh students and the local community. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and socially conscious business strategies, this award inspires the next generation of business leaders to make a meaningful impact.
Ella Smith is a Business Communication Consultant and a junior majoring in Accounting and Economics. Ella is also involved as a Lehigh After Dark Ambassador, University Productions President, and Group Tutor for Academic Success and Writing Center.