Social Responsibility Initiative

What is SRI?

The Social Responsibility Initiative (SRI) pairs MBA student teams with local non-profit and governmental organizations for no-fee project-based consulting as part of classes.  Each quarter, the Center for Global Leadership (CGL) publicizes a number of short-term consulting projects (6 to 8 weeks long) to MBA students who then select projects for class credit.

SRI is a valuable resource for non-profit organizations especially in times of economic challenges. In turn, SRI is a meaningful way for MBA students to gain real-world consulting experience, gain insight into community challenges and help shape the future of an organization.

What kind of organizations do you serve?

SRI serves 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organizations in the local Orange County and southern Los Angeles County area. 

What can I expect from the MBA student team?  

Teams are faculty supervised and involve 3 to 6 MBA students who are all enrolled in the same class.  Our MBA students act as consultants to the organization with recommendations due at the end of the quarter.  However,  MBA student teams are not volunteers or interns who become part of organizational operations.

SRI Non-Profit Organization Applications

SRI Non-Profit Applications include a SRI Online Application and a SRI PowerPoint. The online form provides basic information about the organization and project. The SRI PowerPoint provides MBA students a more detailed description of the organization and the project parameters. A SRI PowerPoint Template is provided to help in the application process.

1) SRI Online Application* , Click here to view SRI Online Application   

2) SRI PowerPoint**, Click here to PowerPoint
*Please note, you can edit the application at any time, unless you submit the application. You cannot return to the application to edit once it is submitted.
**Email PowerPoints no larger than 25 MB to algarcia@uci.edu

The SRI PowerPoint includes the following slides

• Organization Name, Address and Website
• About Us 
• Program/Services Offered
• SRI Project Description and Goals 
• Reasons to Get Involved

What are sample SRI projects?

Here are samples of previously completed projects.

• Business strategy
• Direct marketing plan
• New venture management
• Organizational analysis
• Operations analysis
• Strategic analysis
• Volunteer growth plan

What organizations have been part of SRI?

Here are a few organizations that have previously participated in SRI.

• Boy Scouts of America
• Corazon
• Discovery Science Center
• Educate the Children
• Energy Coalition
• Girl Scouts of the United States of America
• Habitat for Humanity
• Human Options
• Huntington’s Disease Association
• Long Beach Museum of Art
• Museum of Latin American Art
• Orange County Community Foundation
• Saddleback Valley Unified School District
• Share Our Selves
• Surfrider Foundation
• THINK Together

How long do the projects last?

Projects need to be manageably completed in 6 to 8 weeks.  Each project must be able to be completed in the academic quarter as they are associated to various courses. 

How many projects can I submit?

Each organization may submit only one project per academic year. 

Is my project guaranteed to be matched with a team?

The students self select projects.  Although we try to assist each organization in making their project as relevant to the MBA classes as possible, we cannot guarantee that your project will be selected.

What is the deadline to submit my non-profit project? (These deadlines are for non-profit organizations). Students please refer to Student Application tab on the left.

Here are the deadlines for project submissions:

Fall 2011            September 16, 2011

Winter 2012      December 2, 2011

Spring 2012      March 2, 2012

When do student teams start working on the SRI projects?

SRI projects are offered to the MBA students the first few weeks of each quarter and coincide with the academic calendar.  Here are the beginning dates of each quarter:

Fall 2011           September 19, 2011

Winter 2012      January 4, 2012

Spring 2012      March 28, 2012

Three weeks after the beginning of the quarter, we will contact each organization about the status of their project.    

What are the requirements for each non-profit organization?

Each organization selected as a SRI Project will be required to be part of two meetings. First, selected organizations will need to meet with the MBA student team to discuss in detail the project needs. Secondly, each selected  organization will need to have one administrator or board member at the class presentations of their respective project at the end of the quarter. Additionally, CGL would like to recommend that the non-profit organization give the MBA student team an opportunity to present the completed SRI Project to their respective board or staff meeting if possible. Additionally, each selected organization will need to complete an SRI Online Evaluation.

Is SRI required in the business school classes?

SRI projects are optional for MBA students.

I submitted my project.  Now what?

Three weeks after the beginning of each quarter, we will contact each organization with the status of their project.  If a team has selected your project, we will make an “e-introduction” for you with the team.  The team will then set up a time to meet with you face-to-face and begin working on the project.