Local Nonprofits Receive SparkTank Initiative Funds From UW Student-Led Program

The University of Wyoming College of Business Ethics Club awarded $178,000 to four area nonprofit organizations during SparkTank 2024 that took place April 25.

Each year, the UW Ethics Club and “Sales Seminar” students secure funding for SparkTank, a “Shark Tank”-style competition that champions Albany County nonprofit organizations that provide food, shelter, safety, clothing and other essential services to community members in need.

“SparkTank serves as a catalyst, empowering local nonprofits to address the diverse challenges facing the community while simultaneously inspiring students to seek opportunities to contribute to something greater than themselves,” says Kent Noble, UW Ethics Club faculty adviser.

Ethics Club students distributed funding to the following local nonprofit organizations:

-- SAFE Project: $55,000 allocated to aiding survivors of domestic, intimate partner and familial violence, as well as victims of sexual assault and stalking.

-- Stork Support: $46,000 to provide newborn and child necessities for families in need, as well as free community access to infant, child and adult CPR classes.

-- Laramie Interfaith: $41,000 allocated to providing essential support, including food, shelter and other vital services for individuals and families facing hardship.

-- Tele-Hope: $36,000 devoted to instilling hope and a sense of belonging through mentorship programs pairing middle and high school students with college athlete mentors.

“This not only demonstrates our commitment to ethical leadership, but it also encourages our students to embrace a purpose-driven life by actively contributing to the long-term viability of their community,” Noble says.

Dr. Samantha Herriott, an OB-GYN at Ivinson Medical Group’s Women’s Health Clinic and Stork Support founder, moved to Laramie in 2019 and immediately noticed that people here love the community. She adds that the strong community connections inspired her to start Stork Support.

“The University of Wyoming also clearly loves Laramie and has empowered its faculty, students and alumni to work hard and to support local nonprofits,” Herriott says. “SparkTank will fund Stork Support for up to two years and allow us to start offering free CPR classes. SparkTank is another example of why I love Laramie and why I feel lucky to live here.”

Ethics Club President McKenna Kail, of Lander, reflects on the impact of SparkTank.

“SparkTank has been the most meaningful educational experience of my academic career,” Kail says. Through its impactful initiatives and unwavering commitment to community betterment, SparkTank has not only enriched my learning, but also inspired me to actively pursue a life dedicated to making a positive difference in the world.”

UW Ethics Club Vice President Shane Dawson, also of Lander, adds that SparkTank’s transformative impact has been inspiring.

“It has been a profound educational journey that has not only broadened my perspective, but also reinforced the importance of ethical action and community engagement in shaping a purposeful life,” Dawson says.

Tele-Hope founder Ralph Fawaz, a former UW Cowboys football punter from Cache, Okla., praises the work from the student-led Ethics Club.

“The students from the UW Ethics Club and ‘Sales Seminar’ did a phenomenal job creating a memorable experience for everyone in attendance and making a significant impact on our Tele-Hope family,” Fawaz says. “A big ‘thank you’ to everyone involved.”

Since 2018, Ethics Club and “Sales Seminar” students have contributed an impressive $578,000 to local nonprofits through the SparkTank initiative. This year’s edition featured 376 donors, including major contributions from the John P. Ellbogen Foundation, Scarlett Family Foundation, Associated Students of UW, Dimitrios Smyrnios, ATBS (American Truck Business Services), Scott and Heather Neu, Powder Horn Realty and the Wyoming Business Council.

For more information about the SparkTank initiative, email Noble at knoble@uwyo.edu.