Aspiring wealth managers and investment advisors: Build on classroom fundamentals and learn more about impact investing.
Collaborate with fellow graduate students from your university to design the ideal portfolio for an impact-focused investor—then compete for a chance to pitch your strategy to leading industry professionals.
Gain access to cutting-edge tools in the impact investing market and put your skills to the test as you balance a client’s financial and impact objectives.
“I have been blown away by the students that go through this program. Students partake in a real life scenario, building a portfolio from the ground up.”
– Sarah Norman, Head of CIO Sustainable Investing Thought Leadership, Bank of America Merrill & Private Bank
The Details
Who is eligible to participate?
The Challenge is open to teams of graduate students currently enrolled in U.S. universities.
Each team must have 3 to 5 members, all of whom must be full-time graduate students at the time of submission. Team members may come from different years and graduate programs within the same university. We strongly encourage interdisciplinary teams to foster a well-rounded mix of expertise and perspectives. PhD students and those enrolled in executive programs are not eligible.
Participants should have a strong interest in how capital can be aligned with social and environmental impact, and a basic understanding of investment strategies. The Challenge is designed to combine the analytical rigor of investment management with a commitment to meaningful, measurable change.
As philanthropic and development organizations increasingly collaborate with mainstream capital markets, new models for sustainable finance are emerging. This Challenge is for those ready to engage both worlds—and shape the future of impact investing.
What are the steps involved to compete?
Step 1: Build Your Team & Apply
Form a team of 3–5 full-time graduate students from the same U.S. university and submit your application to register for the program.
Step 2: Gain Access to Canvas
Once accepted, you’ll be invited to join Canvas, our online hub. There you’ll find resources like videos, webinars, white papers, articles, and guidance on data sets. You’ll also need to attend at least one live webinar featuring industry leaders during the competition year.
Step 3: Draft Your Initial Portfolio
Download the investor profile from Canvas and craft your first portfolio recommendation. Your strategy should align with the client’s risk tolerance, return targets, and values. Explore opportunities across various asset classes using the tools and resources provided.
Step 4: Refine, Measure, & Report
Evaluate and strengthen your portfolio using tools and metrics to assess both financial performance and impact outcomes. Attend live coaching office hours with industry professionals for expert feedback and guidance. You’re also encouraged to develop custom tools to supplement existing industry frameworks and support your investment thesis.
Step 5: Final Submission for Judging
Submit your final portfolio and narrative, detailing your investment rationale. Judges will evaluate your execution across asset classes, your projected outcomes, and your ability to communicate financial and impact results.
Step 6: Present in the Finals
Up to four finalists will be invited to pitch their portfolios in person at Wharton. Present your strategy and answer questions from our expert judging panel.
What are the application deadlines/submission instructions?
The application will open on August 25, 2025, and close on October 6, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Late applications will not be accepted, nor will supplemental materials sent separately from the formal application. There is no fee for students to participate in this program.
What are the important dates I should know?
2025
- Aug. 25 – Application opens
- Oct. 6 – Application deadline, Canvas launches
- Mid-Oct. – Virtual kickoff
- Dec. 15 – First deliverable: investment policy statement due
2026
- Feb. 23 – Portfolios and rationale due
- Early Mar. – Finalist teams announced
- Apr. 17 – Finalist presentations in Philadelphia at the Wharton School
The Turner Impact Portfolio Challenge is dedicated to:
- Empowering students to integrate impact into strategic asset allocation
- Providing exposure to real-world investment opportunities
- Simulating the complexities of portfolio execution and impact reporting
- Bridging classroom theory with practical application
Questions? Email us.
THE SUPPORT AND VISION OF IMPACT INVESTOR BOBBY TURNER, W’84, enhanced the Turner Impact Portfolio Challenge.
As a longtime supporter of social impact activities at Wharton, Turner – CEO of Turner Impact Capital – is an example of, as Joseph Wharton said, harnessing the power of business to “solve the social problems incident to our civilization.” He also helps inform the ongoing priorities and future direction of the Wharton School as a member of the board of overseers. Wharton Impact is very grateful to Lauren Golub Turner, W’85, and Bobby Turner, W’84 for their support.
Thank you to our founding corporate sponsor whose support also makes TIPC possible:
