The Luminos Fund and PEAS Win $100,000 Each
PHILADELPHIA, April 26, 2021––EarthEnable has been named as the winner of the 2021 Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize. Chosen from more than 115 applicants around the globe, EarthEnable aims to eliminate unsanitary living conditions by building an affordable and sustainable housing industry in rural Africa. As the 2021 winner, EarthEnable will receive $250,000 in unrestricted funds. The Luminos Fund and PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools will each receive $100,000. All three organizations will also receive executive training and support from the Wharton School and the University of Pennsylvania. For the first time in the Lipman history, all honoree organizations are led by women.
Wharton Dean Erika James said, “The 2021 Lipman Prize honorees reflect the current state of our challenging world. All three work on timely and relational issues: working towards dignity of self and family through healthy sanitation, and improved education opportunities for the next generation so they may unlock their full potential and establish themselves as lifelong learners.”
Founded in 2013 by Gayatri Datar, EarthEnable started with a dream to improve health outcomes through simple and affordable solutions. Their model is centered around leveraging the demand for sanitary housing already present in local villages and the knowledge of earthen solutions amongst local construction workers. EarthEnable is committed to creating a long-term solution in Africa through job creation, sustainability, and health and affordability improvements.
“We are delighted to join the Lipman Family Prize community of change-makers and feel honored to mark their 10th anniversary in this way,” said EarthEnable CEO and co-founder Gayatri Datar. “We look forward to celebrating this accomplishment and we are thrilled to already have begun collaborating with the other two honoree organizations.”
About the 2021 Honorees
- EarthEnable’s mission is to make living conditions healthier and more dignified for the world’s poor. Their primary product is an affordable alternative to dirt floors: locally sourced, earthen floors that are 70% cheaper than a concrete floor. ($250k winner)
- The Luminos Fund was founded to ensure children everywhere get a chance to experience joyful learning, especially those denied an education by poverty, conflict, and discrimination. ($100k award)
- Promoting Equity in African Schools (PEAS)’ goal is to expand access to sustainably delivered, quality secondary education across Africa so that all children have education that unlocks their full potential. ($100k award)
In addition to the $250,000 financial prize – which is offered to the winner without restrictions – all three Lipman Family Prize honorees gain access to a growing network of change makers and thought leaders to accelerate cutting-edge change worldwide. The Prize connects those on the cusp of great change with resources, skills and people-power to expand the impact and influence of their ideas. Benefits include an executive education program, an exclusive opportunity to apply for the Lipman Nonprofit Leadership Scholarship in the School of Social Policy & Practice, pro-bono consultation from University faculty and staff, peer learning events, as well as expert- and student-driven research to inform and guide their work.
About the Lipman Family Prize
First awarded in 2012, the Lipman Family Prize at the University of Pennsylvania is an annual global prize that advances creative solutions by inspiring people to think together in new ways. Administered by the Wharton School on behalf of the University of Pennsylvania, the Prize is committed to resourcing and connecting change-makers to bring innovative ideas to new places and problems around the world. Previous winners include iDE, READ Global, Breakthrough, Riders for Health, Soccer Without Borders, Women Against Abuse, MyAgro, World Bicycle Relief, and Sanku.
About the Wharton School
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With a faculty of more than 235 renowned professors, Wharton has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 99,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. For more information, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
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