WHU’s MBA Students Raise Over 60,000€ in Donations

Members of the newest MBA cohort at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management have started their studies off with a bang—raising a total of 63,315€ for Save the Children Deutschland e.V. As is tradition, the school’s MBA program opened with the Future Leaders Fundraising Challenge (FLFC), which sees dozens of students working hard over the course of five days at five separate competitions to raise as much money for charity as they can. With the clock ticking, this year’s crop, supported by FLFC mentors and organizers Professor Sascha Schmidt and Assistant Professor Pisitta Vongswasdi, came together as complete strangers, developing innovative concepts and campaigning for donations.

“Every year, we have excellent students who come in with a lot of excitement and commitment, and they perform well in the challenges that we give them,” says Professor Vongswasdi. “They receive some hard feedback from us and from our experts every day, and they put all of it to good use to further develop their campaign and improve on their teamwork.” And that, she noted, could be seen in the results.

The FLFC has acted as the start of WHU’s MBA study program since 2016. Over the years, the school’s students have successfully raised a collective 650,000€ for good causes. The exercise sees participants take on real-world challenges, which gives them a unique introduction to their studies. “It tests their emotional resilience and ethical compass,” says Professor Schmidt. “And it bridges the gap between knowing what leadership is and actually practicing it.” He notes that leadership is more than merely making decisions; it’s also about navigating uncertainty, fostering relationships, and embracing social responsibility in the face of real pressures. 

During the FLFC, the MBA students work in teams of four to five, each with their own unique professional and personal backgrounds. The team’s leadership changes daily. With the goal of offering support to Save the Children, the challenge sparks a sense of friendly competition in the participants. The team that performs the best throughout the FLFC is rewarded with a trophy.

Click here to watch a video all about this year’s Future Leaders Fundraising Challenge.