A $20 million gift from Tandean Rustandy, MBA’07, will support expanded research and programming in social innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago through the newly named Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation.
The Rustandy Center will serve as a hub at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for students and faculty tackling complex social and environmental problems, building upon the school’s grounding in business fundamentals, experiential learning and research-based insights. The center will work with nonprofit, for-profit and government organizations, serving as a resource for the University community as well as nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs and others committed to social impact. The center, previously known as Chicago Booth’s Social Enterprise Initiative, has been renamed in recognition of Rustandy’s generosity and its expanded mission.
“The Rustandy Center will provide a rigorous setting for students, faculty and colleagues to confront pressing challenges through social enterprise and innovation. The generosity of Tandean Rustandy will help to expand research, training and support in this emerging area for years to come,” President Robert J. Zimmer said.
Rustandy’s gift comes as the center is developing an increasingly ambitious approach to research that informs best practices in organizations geared toward social impact. It will build upon successful programs such as the John Edwardson, ’72, Social New Venture Challenge, training programs for nonprofit board members, and research that advances social innovation and entrepreneurship.
—Prof. Jacqueline Stewart
