The third annual Goldman Sachs Gives Analyst Impact Fund attracted hundreds of compelling proposal submissions that addressed some of the world’s most pressing issues. Ultimately, six finalist teams from across the firm’s offices advanced to the finals, where they competed to win grants from Goldman Sachs Gives to support innovative nonprofit organizations of their choice.
The Analyst Impact Fund initiative provides analysts with the opportunity to collaborate with peers across the firm to make an impact in the communities where we live and work. Each year, the Analyst Impact Fund is sponsored by the firm’s Partnership Committee, whose mission is to steward the firm’s culture and cultivate current and future leaders.
The six finalist teams—from seven different Goldman Sachs locations around the world—presented a variety of innovative solutions to global challenges, from supporting survivors of human trafficking through coding to combatting global homelessness with 3D printing technology.
Teams were judged on the following criteria: the impact, scalability and uniqueness of the proposed project; the team’s analysis of the project goals and financials; and the strength of the organization’s leadership and partnerships, among other variables.
In presenting the awards, Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein commented on the outstanding effort and passion demonstrated by all the analyst teams. “I found all these presentations captivating, interesting, and I just thought to myself again--the sense of pride… a sense of confidence that I have that Goldman Sachs’ future is secure in the next generation.”
The first place prize—a $150,000 grant—was awarded to a London-based analyst team representing Bondh-E-Shams, also known as The Solar Water Project. The Solar Water Project aims to leverage sustainable energy to address the global water crisis in under-resourced communities.
In her remarks on the competition and the firm’s dedication to citizenship, Anne Black, President of Goldman Sachs Gives, noted “The commitment to community and citizenship demonstrated by the analysts distinguishes our firm, its culture and our people.”
While votes were tallied, a group of prior finalists spoke on a panel about their experiences with the Analyst Impact Fund. Aurko Bhattacharjee, now an associate in Bengaluru, commented “It’s been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. And I would certainly urge every analyst across the firm to utilize this opportunity.”
This year, audience members who watched the competition live were able to vote for their “fan favorite,” which would receive an additional $25,000 grant. The prize was awarded to an analyst team in Bengaluru supporting Operation ASHA, a non-profit that brings tuberculosis treatment directly to individuals living in disadvantaged areas.
Awards were presented to the following organizations:
$150,000 Grant
First Place
Bondh-E-Shams (The Solar Water Project), London
$75,000 Grant
Second Place
New Story, New York
$50,000 Grant
Third Place
AnnieCannons, Dallas & San Francisco
$25,000 Grant
Finalists
D-Rev, Yayasan Kopernik, Operation ASHA
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