McNulty Prize Application & Eligibility

The 2024 McNulty Prize cycle is now open.

The John P. McNulty Prize recognizes over 50 breakthrough leaders for their moral courage, bold vision, and deep, lasting impact. To be considered for the Prize, please reach out your fellowship director to be nominated.

To be considered for the 2024 McNulty Prize, please share basic information about your work in this expression of interest form. Candidates with strong alignment with the criteria will be invited to complete the full application in November. The form is open year-round, but if you would like to be considered this year, please submit your interest by November 1, 2023.

McNulty Prize Criteria & Eligibility

Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• INSPIRING LEADERSHIP. We recognize individuals who are applying their unique talents and resources—local connections and lived experience, their expertise or organizational platform, credibility and networks—in service of a bold and compelling vision for change.
• IMPACT. Impact looks different for every organization. We prioritize organizations with a proven model and track record that can clearly illustrate the ways in which communities or systems have been changed.
• LASTING CHANGE. We lift up organizations that understand and address the root causes of a challenge and contribute to long-term solutions—whether through expanding agency for individuals, shifting the conditions that hold the problem in place, or influencing the sector and collaborating with others.

To qualify for the John P. McNulty Prize:

• You must be a Fellow of the Aspen Institute or AGLN, with an organization or venture that is at least two years active, and poised to continue for the foreseeable future.
• You must hold a leadership role in the organization, where you have taken decisive action to address a societal challenge.
• Organizations must prioritize social impact, whether they are nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid models.

Fellows are nominated by Aspen Initiatives. Please contact your director to express your interest.

If you are invited to participate in the submission round, you will be requested to respond to the following prompts in our application portal.

NARRATIVE

A. Problem Statement (250 words maximum)

• What critical issue does your venture address—who is impacted, and what factors contribute to the challenge? How is this issue at the forefront of local or global concerns?
• How does your organization’s model of change address the critical issue described?

B. Leadership Statement (250 words maximum)

• How are you uniquely positioned to address this issue? What lived experiences, talents, resources, etc do you bring to this work?
• In what way is this a stretch for you? Please describe your personal leadership journey and how you have challenged yourself to answer a call to action—whether influenced by the Aspen Institute Fellowship experience, another ah-ha moment, or something else.

SHORT RESPONSE

C. Current Impact

• Describe the impact of your venture on individuals, the community and/or ecosystem. What is the evidence that the venture has been accepted and embraced by those it benefits? (200 words)
• How do you measure and assess the organization’s success? What is the reach and scale of your efforts, and how deeply does the organization affect those served? Please include the key metrics that you track over time. (150 words)

D. Lasting Change

• How does your venture address root causes of the challenge or otherwise create or contribute to long-term solutions? How do you work with others to realize your vision? (200 words)
• Is there evidence that your venture has influenced others in this space, or the sector or systems at large? How replicable or scalable is the model? (150 words)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

E. Financial Information. Please upload in a single .pdf file (page size 8.5” x 11”), information that explains the financial structure of your venture, how it is funded, and how it will be sustained in the long term. Include financial statements that demonstrate annual revenue and expenses, as well as funding sources. We strongly encourage you to share existing documents.

F. Supporting Materials. Please upload in a single .doc or .pdf file, up to 10 pages (page size 8.5” x 11”), that demonstrate your record of success. We strongly encourage you to share existing materials—those suggested below, or other pertinent materials that highlight your impact.

• Annual reports or other reports to supporters or investors
• Organizational model or strategic plan summaries
• Press coverage or other outside recognition
• Testimonials in support of your leadership and ventures
• Pamphlets or photos
• Your CV

[Optional] Short Video. Encouraged, not required—Youtube or Vimeo links accepted

• Share an existing video that shows and tells about your venture, whether narrated personally or showing others involved or affected
• We are not looking for professional filmmaking but for a visual way to capture the power of the work.

The McNulty Foundation offers support to high-potential ventures at earlier, critical junctures on their path to impact, through the Catalyst Fund.

To qualify for the Catalyst Fund, you must be a Fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, with a venture (or Action Pledge) influenced by your fellowship experience in some way.