An entrepreneur solving community problems will receive $1 million to support their efforts through the Opus Prize. One laureate will receive the top honor, while other finalists will land $100,000 each.
The Opus Prize Foundation, which funds the awards, recognizes “unsung heroes” motivated by faith to improve their communities. Each year, a Catholic university hosts the awards and partners in choosing finalists.
For 2024, SCU is overseeing the proceedings.
At the end of July, Fr. Zachariah Presutti, S.J., M.Div. ’21, Sr. Francisca Ngozi Uti, HHCJ, and Cătălin and Bianca Albu were named finalists.
Presutti founded and is executive director of the Thrive for Life Prison Project which provides spiritual and educational resources to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Ngozi founded the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Abuja, Nigeria working to improve women’s rights.
The Albus are celebrated for their work at Jesuit Refugee Service in Bucharest, Romania.
The University is hosting the finalists and an announcement ceremony the week of Nov. 11-14.
“Santa Clara University is honored and delighted to host the 2024 Opus Prize, which celebrates and supports social entrepreneurs who operate from a place of faith to work for the betterment of humanity,” says Santa Clara University President Julie Sullivan.