Social Innovation Student Clubs

Challenge for Charity — or C4C — is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1984 by a Stanford GSB student whose sister had Down’s Syndrome. Its mission is to encourage philanthropic involvement and school unity through a competition of nine West Coast business schools, primarily to benefit Special Olympics as well as one other local charity for each school. The volunteering and fundraising efforts culminate at C4C Weekend, where the nine schools compete in a sports competition held each spring at Stanford.

The Education Club brings together students from Stanford GSB and the Stanford Graduate School of Education to engage with leaders in the field, discuss current education issues (ranging from school reform to higher education), and connect through networking opportunities.

The Energy Club seeks to become the center for energy-related interactions at Stanford GSB by bringing together students, faculty members, and guests to explore issues impacting the oil and gas, wind energy, solar energy, fuel cell and power sectors, as well as energy security and the environment.

The Food & Agribusiness Club serves to advance the career and educational interests of the Stanford GSB community in topics related to food and agriculture. It also facilitates cross-disciplinary engagement on topics of agriculture with relevant Stanford clubs and academic departments.

The club’s mission is to provide a non-partisan forum to discuss government and political issues, bring government officials to campus as speakers, and offer opportunities to meet with government officials in California and elsewhere.

The Business & Environment Club’s goal is to cultivate a Stanford GSB community that incorporates environmental sustainability into its philosophy, curriculum, and operations, and empowers its students and alumni to lead on environmental challenges in their industries. We focus on the following three themes through our activities: 1) Foster collaborations and robust discussions about sustainability at Stanford GSB by leveraging the passion and connections of all members of the Stanford community; 2) serve as a guidepost and all-encompassing resource at the intersection of business and the environment for the Stanford GSB community; and 3) illuminate ways for students to incorporate environmental responsibility in their professional careers.

GSB Gives Back has hosted an annual fundraising event for the last 30 years, comprised of the charity auction and the gala. The auction consists of items donated by the students, faculty, and prominent alumni (such as box seats for the SF Giants, or dinner with KKR founder George Roberts). It is a silent auction which takes place over two weeks and culminates in a celebratory gala. In 2019, we threw an amazing, sold-out event at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco with nearly 700 attendees that was inclusive and fun for all members of the Stanford GSB community. Together, the event represents our student body’s single largest fundraising effort, with proceeds going towards student-selected charities. We raise ~$100K annually, and have donated millions of dollars to charity since our inception.

The Health Care Club (HCC) at Stanford GSB strives to provide co-curricular opportunities for Stanford GSB students looking to build their future career in health care. Through a host of networking events, speaker series, and social events we help foster a vibrant community of health care-minded peers. In 2013-14, the HCC had 80 dues paying members, as well as 56 Stanford GSB alumni and 50 community members who come from a variety of health care and non-health-care focused backgrounds.

The Social Impact Club serves Stanford GSB students interested in exploring innovative ways to tackle the world’s most pressing social challenges and improving livelihoods for those in need, both in the U.S. and worldwide. The club aims to explore how innovation across business, finance, policy, and nonprofit systems can better catalyze long-term social impact.

The Veterans Club is the school’s association of military veterans. The club is open to all Stanford GSB students and attempts to relate the unique experiences of military service to current events and business problems that managers are likely to encounter, including strategic, human resources, and operational issues. The club serves as a resource for members to foster professional and personal development while encouraging leadership, both within Stanford GSB and in the greater business community.