The Virtù Project

Check out this IU News Release on Virtù! Click here.

A conduit for learning, a mechanism for change

In 2006 a group of Liberal Arts and Management Program (LAMP) students at Indiana University developed a novel idea. Seeking to move their educational experiences beyond the classroom, these social entrepreneurs hoped to create and manage a philanthropic investment fund to support an established global non-profit agency, the Timmy Foundation. Now, after debuting the Virtù Project in November 2007 to friends, faculty, administration, and community members, Virtù has received 20% of its goal of one million dollars in pledges. 

The Virtù Project generates funds for the Timmy Foundation through investing this pledged money in the stock market. Rather than assuming the inherent risks of investing large sums of money, Virtù asks donors to pledge investments in a mock portfolio. After a one-year period, donors will match the returns made on the mock portfolio by making a direct contribution to the Timmy Foundation. For example, if a donor were to pledge $10,000 and the fund yielded a 10% return in one year, the donor would write a check for $1,000. This method eliminates the risk of losing "real" money and still rewards performance. 

In addition to fundraising, the Virtù Project uniquely blends philanthropy and education. The project facilitates opportunities for LAMP students to develop an array of real-world business skills using a hands-on approach. Students working on the Virtù Project will gain experience in the areas of finance, marketing, accounting, business law, networking, and creative problem solving. The Virtù Project enables students to generate proficiency in these areas through a series of ongoing workshops facilitated by LAMP faculty, IU administration, and industry experts. 

By defying conventional boundaries between business and philanthropy, students working on the Virtù Project hope to harness creative energy and passion to help solve some of the world's most pressing challenges.