Grinnell Prize medal

Grinnell Prize

Social justice calls for innovators of every kind.

Masters of sustainable agricultural technology. Champions for African children’s literature. Human rights advocates and natural disaster responders. The Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize — known familiarly as the Grinnell Prize — celebrates and elevates heroes like these and all the good they do. Standing strong in the face of adversity. Creatively approaching the biggest challenges that confront society today. Bettering the world in a way we recognize as Grinnellian. That’s why we’re proud to honor who they are and the impact they’re making on our world.

The Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize (the Grinnell Prize) honors individuals who have demonstrated leadership in their fields and who show creativity, commitment, and extraordinary accomplishment in effecting positive social change. Each prize carries an award of $100,000, half to the winning individual(s) and half to their related, nominated organization.

Nominations for the 2020 Grinnell Prize will open July 1, 2019 and will be due by 11:59 p.m. on October 7, 2019. 

Grinnell Prize Nomination Information

  • President Kington awards the Grinnell Prize medallion to Melanie Marcel

    ABOUT THE PRIZE

    Our institution was built by social reformers.

    The founders of Grinnell College believed we could always do more for others. From the beginning, we have viewed our role as an institution as a responsibility to contribute to the common good. With the creation of the Grinnell Prize, we’ve extended our educational mission beyond the campus and alumni community, to individuals anywhere who believe that innovative social justice programs create a better world.

    Learn More
  • Prize winner Gina Clayton on guest panel

    Nominations

    Change-makers working on the cutting edge of technology. Leaders collaborating on solutions to pressing social justice issues. Visionaries tackling immediate challenges and addressing systemic issues. Mentors inspiring the next generation of social innovators.

    They’re out there. Help us celebrate them.

    Tell Us Their Story

Recent Winners

Mélanie Marcel

Founder and CEO of SoScience

Marcel has become a national leader in France and a recognized expert on models for responsible research and innovation. She’s the founder and CEO of SoScience, a France-based group that gathers scientists and social entrepreneurs around the world to collaborate on research that solves global challenges.
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Gina Clayton visits a class

Gina L. Clayton

Founder and executive director of the Essie Justice Group

Clayton is an attorney, activist, and advocate for women, who founded and serves as executive director of the Essie Justice Group. Its mission is to support and mobilize women with incarcerated loved ones to fight for criminal-justice reform.
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Luna Ranjit ’00 acceptance speech

Luna Ranjit '00

Founder of Adhikaar

Ranjit is the first Grinnell College graduate to win the Grinnell Prize. She founded Adhikaar to promote human rights and effective social justice work in Nepali-speaking communities in New York City and the United States. She and her colleagues have been able to inform and work collaboratively with many other organizations, service providers, and government agencies.
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Department Information

Phone
(641) 269-4940

Center for Careers, Life, and Service
1127 Park Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
United States

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