Anticipation continues to build as 2025 Do Good Challenge finalists prepare to take to the stage in the annual pitch competition for a share of more than $40,000 in prizes. On Tuesday, April 22, the finalists will share more about their work and impact with an audience of hundreds and a panel of expert judges. The teams were selected from groups and organizations across campus that are tackling issues ranging from providing health education to reducing health disparities around the world to educating low-income youth on how to become entrepreneurs. This is the 13th annual Do Good Challenge hosted by the Do Good Institute, based in the School of Public Policy.
Two of this year's finalists are College Park Scholars alumni. Congratulations to Takiyah Roberts (Science, Technology and Society) and Kyle Zibell (Life Sciences)!
Advancing for a second consecutive year to the Do Good Challenge Finals, Takiyah Roberts ’25, helms Dare to Dream. Founded in 2022, the nonprofit is dedicated to empowering minority students and young people in marginalized communities to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship, and community initiatives, Dare to Dream gives students skills and resources to create and launch their own businesses. The organization has supported more than 1,700 young people in the DMV and helped launch more than 20 youth-led businesses. Roberts is competing in the Founder's Track.
Competing on the Leaders Track, UMD Chapter of Food Recovery Network (FRN) is a student-led volunteer organization dedicated to fighting food waste and hunger by recovering surplus food and redirecting it to communities in need. FRN collects excess or unwanted food from dining halls, athletic facilities and catering kitchens for donation to the Christian Life Center in Riverdale, Md., which distributes it to nine local churches and soup kitchens. Founded at UMD in 2011, FRN has grown into a national nonprofit with chapters at colleges and universities across the country. Since its founding, the UMD chapter alone has recovered more than 155,000 pounds of food—equivalent to 130,000 meals and worth more than $300,000. Kyle Zibell ‘26 and Sophia Li ‘26 will present FRN’s recent successes at this year’s competition
The Do Good Challenge Finals will be held in Orem Hall of the Riggs Alumni Center on Tuesday, April 22. Starting at 6:15 p.m., kick off the night at Rever Hall in the Riggs Alumni Center by connecting with students, alumni, and changemakers over food, refreshments, and giveaways. Meet the teams, hear their stories, and get ready for the show. Then, at 7 p.m., cheer on the six Finalist teams as they pitch their social impact in the newly introduced Founders and Leaders tracks for a chance to win a share of nearly $40,000 in prizes—double last year’s amount. You'll also have an opportunity to vote for your favorite teams to win additional prize money during the show.