I love when things converge.  Today I was already set to tell you about an impactful new initiative Winning Workplaces launched this month in conjunction with our upcoming joint Leadership Conference with Inc. Magazine in June.  The Scholarship Fund we've established directs contributions from readers like you toward worthy business school students to cover the cost of their attendance at this event in Dallas, to help them on their path to using employee engagement to create a productive workplace culture in their startups (the funds will also help leaders of nonprofits attend the event for greater people practices learning – click here for more info).

Lo and behold, I received an email this morning from the Foundation for Enterprise Development, a nonprofit that (like Winning Workplaces) encourages entrepreneurs to foster a culture of innovation within their organizations.  The FED shared a press release on the winners of their national college essay contest, Creating Wealth By Sharing Wealth.  More than 400 students from 18 U.S. universities responded to the FED's call for both grad students' and undergrads' thoughts on strategies and practices for increasing employee motivation and participation in enterprise growth.

As the winning essay by University of California, San Diego MBA candidate Terry Williamson and many others received in this contest show, these young, aspiring entrepreneurs understand the link between creating a workplace culture of ownership and the increased potential to meet one or more bottom lines.  (One of the sessions at our June Leadership Conference will provide insights on how business leaders can meet no less than four bottom lines.)

With many of the students who participated in the FED's essay contest enrolled in business school, I think the fact that they have spoken so eloquently of this connection underscores the value that contributors to our new Scholarship Fund will receive.  Our donors will be helping to sow the seeds for more winning workplaces – and they will get a tax deduction thanks to our 501(c)(3) status.

For more information about the need for the Winning Workplaces Scholarship Fund and its impact, click here.