The University of Wyoming Ethics Club has selected four nonprofit organizations in
Albany County to participate in the spring semester SparkTank competition.
The university’s student-led project, hosted by UW’s College of Business, supports
organizations addressing essential needs across Albany County, providing local nonprofits
a chance to win funding.
The four finalists are Albany County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, Love Trades Foundation, Safe Project and Tele-Hope. The finalists were rigorously reviewed by Ethics Club students who selected organizations
that clearly articulated their missions, demonstrated strong potential for community
impact, aligned with core ethical values and addressed essential needs within Albany
County.
The applicant pool included three United Way partner agencies, reflecting the strength
of the local nonprofit community, as well as the collaboration cultivated through
the SparkTank-United Way partnership. As part of the recently formed partnership,
up to three United Way community partners could be chosen as finalists.
“Many of our partner agencies are doing extraordinary work meeting essential needs,
and we’re thrilled to help highlight their efforts through this initiative,” says
Anna Cramer, executive director of United Way of Albany County. “SparkTank reflects
what’s possible when students, faculty, donors and nonprofits come together to strengthen
our community.”
All organizations that participated this year make a difference in the county, says
Kent Noble, club adviser and Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative service chair, adding
that Ethics Club members took on the evaluation process with great care.
“The finalists selected stood out through the clarity of their mission, the potential
for impact and their alignment with values central to SparkTank,” Noble says. “We
are grateful for the vital work they do and look forward to supporting them in the
months ahead.”
Leading up to the final “Shark Tank” style competition, finalists will participate
in site visits, practice pitches, a question-and-answer forum and the Better Business
Bureau Charity Accreditation Review -- all part of SparkTank’s thorough and principled
due-diligence process.
Owen Fink, of Powell, president of Ethics Club, emphasizes students’ commitment to
the process.
“Our students take this responsibility seriously,” Fink says. “The organizations that
applied are doing incredible work, and evaluating them was both inspiring and challenging.
We’re excited to work closely with the finalists as they prepare for the event in
April.”
Support for SparkTank 2026 is already significant. UW Giving Day donors contributed
$72,000 and, beginning in the spring semester, sales seminar students taught by Molly
Burchett will launch additional fundraising efforts. Students will also be able to
leverage $45,000 in matching funds provided by the Hughes Charitable Foundation, the
John P. Ellbogen Foundation, Scott and Heather Neu and the Scarlett Family Foundation,
substantially increasing the resources available to benefit local nonprofits.
Burchett, UW’s Smyrnios Family Faculty Fellow in Sales Leadership, highlights the
impact student involvement has on local nonprofits.
“SparkTank gives students an opportunity to use their skills in a way that directly
benefits local nonprofits,” Burchett says. “With matching funds in place, our students
are especially motivated to raise dollars that will make a meaningful difference for
the four finalists.”
A signature piece of the UW Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics, SparkTank
is supported by the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative. SparkTank combines student leadership,
principled decision-making and community partnership to strengthen nonprofit capacity
and expand essential services across Albany County.
SparkTank 2026 will take place Wednesday, April 29, at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway
Center.
Since its inception, SparkTank has awarded $743,000 to local nonprofits. According
to UW’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis, these investments have generated
$3.22 million in total economic output; added $1.42 million to local GDP; increased
labor income by $1.11 million; and supported the creation of 30 jobs across Albany
County.
For more information, email Noble at knoble@uwyo.edu.
