DifferenceCorps Handbook 2.0

Emma Houston May 22, 2026 10:45pm 2.78 MB

Ehsan Zaffar August 21, 2026 6:20pm We build things to help people The Difference Engine at Arizona State University is a venture studio that creates practical solutions to inequality by leveraging student innovation, faculty expertise, and community leadership. We believ...

2. How We Work

Ehsan Zaffar October 13, 2026 3:15am Where We Work The Difference Engine is a distributed venture studio at ASU. While our HQ is in Southern California, the majority of our team is located in Phoenix, AZ as of this writing, as are the majority of our students. Our board me...

3. Program Overview

Ehsan Zaffar October 13, 2026 3:15am Program Mission DifferenceCorps (DC) is designed to harness the skills, experience, and passion of talented professionals ready to build practical solutions to inequality. As a Corps member, you'll work with our Difference Engineers and...

4. How it Works

Ehsan Zaffar August 21, 2026 6:20pm We take you from idea to pitch DifferenceCorps takes you from idea to pitch, not much more. Over six months, we help you shape a concept into a tested, fundable, pitch-ready project, then put you in front of the right room at BUILD. If ...

5. What You’ll Do

Ehsan Zaffar August 21, 2026 6:21pm Projects that matter The best projects start with actual community needs, not abstract theories. They center community voice and leadership from day one. We care about what can be accomplished within our structure, not pie-in-the-sky id...

6. Partnership Badge

Ehsan Zaffar October 13, 2026 3:15am Show the backing From day one, and for at least one year after the program ends, we ask that any public-facing materials for your project (website, decks, social profiles, printed collateral) include a "Backed by The Difference Engine" ...

7. After the Program

Ehsan Zaffar August 21, 2026 6:21pm When your six months conclude, your journey with The Difference Engine doesn't have to end. Join our network of Difference Engineers to stay connected with fellow change-makers who've shared your experience. Many Corps members continue t...

8. User Journeys

Ehsan Zaffar August 21, 2026 6:21pm Here are some examples of what your journey with the DifferenceCorps could look like: Jameela's Journey: From Federal Service to Community Impact Jameela got laid off from the EPA. Now what? She had this app that measured pollution lev...

9. FAQs

Ehsan Zaffar August 21, 2026 6:21pm Is this paid? No. It's a volunteer opportunity with project funding, not a job. Is this for students? This opportunity isn’t primarily designed for traditional high school or college students, as we have other ways for you to get i...

10. What The Corps Achieves

Ehsan Zaffar October 13, 2026 3:15am “"Standing on that stage and sharing our work was nerve-wracking, an honor and an important milestone … It is encouraging to know that this is not really an ending, but the beginning of an ongoing relationship."” — Deborah Sawaf, Cohort...