What is Impact Consulting?
What is Impact Consulting?
Impact Consulting gives students the opportunity to work with different nonprofits in the area and make a positive impact on the community. This program lets students get some of their first experiences working in a professional setting, although all experience levels are welcomed.
Each semester, students can apply to be a team member and/ or a team leader! Once the deadline for submitting applications is reached, students will be assigned to different organizations on a first come first served basis.
More information about how to get involved will come when application open near the beginning of each semester. Keep track of when we begin accepting application by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Instagram or Facebook!
Please contact Gabriella Briggs (brigg308@umn.edu), Audrey Georg (georg891@umn.edu) for any questions.
Consulting Program Fall 2025 Applications
Applications coming soon!
Student Feedback
"Working with the students during the Net Impact Consulting Program was a very rewarding experience. Not only did they approach each task with professionalism and a strong work ethic, but they also demonstrated a genuine passion for making a positive impact. [...] ultimately delivering outcomes that will have a lasting impact on our organization. I highly recommend the Net Impact Consulting Program to any organization [...]. Working with these students was truly a pleasure, and I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with them again in the future."
Steve Merila, NETZRO Project Sponsor
"Through the Impact Consulting program, I learned how to manage a team, ask the right questions to get informative answers, and create a creative marketing strategy. Our startup, Phoam Labs,[...] I enjoyed learning about the product and market, and how sustainable products can be introduced to the market to gain consumer interest. This program allowed me to take on a unique challenge and grow my skills as a business student."
Katelin Plesac, member of Net Impact
"I really enjoyed the Impact Consulting program because I gained experience with several important business skills for the first time. Participating in this program as a first semester freshman, I had learned very little about business up to this point, so getting first hand experience doing market research for a small company called Taperk was very valuable."
Samantha Bower, member of Net Impact
"My time in the Impact Consulting Program was very enriching. I worked with NetZro and I acquired many valuable experiences and skills I still use to this day! I learned the intricate processes surrounding food upcycling for a circular economy. [...] Working with NetZro has given me insight [...] also how I can incorporate sustainability into my future career. Net Impact’s Impact Consulting program is one I would recommend to anyone (even if you’re not a Carlson student)!"
Jenna Feng, member of Net Inpact
"The Impact consulting program has helped me gain real-life experience starting in my Freshman year of college. I’ve been able to work with unique startups that are making huge progress in the world of sustainability while also building my resume. "
Ava Jovaag
History Behind Impact Consulting
Impact Consulting was formed in 2019 by UMN Carlson student Julia Westling. She led a pilot project with the nonprofit Fair Anita. Since then Carlson students Madison Romain and Katie Shin have led our program and expanded our network of collaborators and meaningful projects. Impact Consulting has continued to grow, connecting with b corps, University programs, and nonprofits in Dinkytown and across the Twin Cities.
Year after year, teams of students are paired with one of these organizations and embark on a semester-long project. Typical tasks include: surveying, data analysis, research, marketing, branding, design, technological help, and more.
We are proud of these undergraduate students and their hard work for the community. We’re excited to keep building partnerships and supporting purpose-driven organizations. Interested in collaborating? Check out our full list of partners below!
Past Projects
This group assisted the upcycled food company with research determining an estimate for how much their products reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This team conducted a survey with over 400 responses from UMN students. Through data analysis, the group uncovered opportunities for growth through night life and promotions. They also created a style guide along with social media advertisements.
The group working with 21 Roots farm posted an ad describing a new logo design contest which they oversaw and created a pivot chart to assist the company in tracking activities and visitors.
Students working with the Bookhouse this term focused on short and long term strategies for introducing marketing techniques to drive engagement through a survey of UMN students
This project entailed creating step-by-step guides for improving a website's search engine optimization, general website organization, and general social media suggestions.
This group established a plan for Marine Mills to increase offerings within their retail section. They surveyed customers for desirable products and researched and compared printing companies.
The team dedicated to this project began with a survey of La Doña’s target market which allowed them to create recommendations for advertising and a full content calendar across several medias.
The collaboration with Swinergy entailed market research on competitors in their field, financial projections for expected expansion, and an analysis of potential revenue streams in the carbon credit market.
Organizations We Have Worked With in the Past
Feel free to click on the logos to check out the amazing work each of these organization do!