The Ethics Big Bet
Lead Ethically. Think Boldly. Achieve with Integrity.
Challenging 15,000 emerging leaders to apply principle-based ethics
For over 15 years, the Daniels Fund has been a national leader in promoting ethics education, empowering America’s rising generation to make decisions grounded in integrity and principle.
Our Big Bet will equip 15,000 emerging leaders to navigate real-world dilemmas using a values-driven framework.
Inspired by Bill Daniels’ belief that ethics is the ultimate business advantage, this Big Bet builds on his legacy of trust and reputation for making deals with a handshake. Participants engage with realistic scenarios that reveal how ethical choices strengthen leadership, organizational culture, and the free enterprise system.
By equipping leaders to act with integrity and inspire trust, we’re ensuring Bill’s timeless example continues to shape a principled future for business and society.
National Ethics Case Competition
The National Ethics Case Competition invites emerging leaders to apply principle-based ethics and free-market thinking to real-world dilemmas.
Building on the success of the regional competition launched more than 12 years ago by the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative, this event was expanded nationally in 2025.
The National Ethics Case Competition stands as the cornerstone of our ethics work. It brings together top undergraduate and graduate students from across the nation to confront complex business dilemmas. Through collaboration, bold thinking, and a principle-based framework, participants showcase their ethical leadership while competing for significant cash prizes.
And beginning in 2026, the competition will expand its reach through a unique partnership with Texas A&M University.
Together, we’re shaping the premier ethics case competition in the country and advancing Bill Daniels’ legacy of integrity and ethical leadership in business and beyond.
Why Ethics Matters
Across the nation, there is a growing recognition that ethical leadership isn’t just admirable, it’s essential. When decisions prioritize short-term gains over principles, trust erodes, organizations suffer, and the free market weakens.
For more than 15 years, the Daniels Fund has championed principle-based ethics education to ensure the next generation of leaders is grounded in integrity.
We believe ethics education should:
- Empower leaders to face complex choices with integrity
- Anchor decisions in the Daniels Fund Ethics Principles
- Foster trust and accountability that drive long-term success
50%
Companies with the strongest ethical cultures outperform those with weaker ethical cultures by 50% (LRN, 2024)
1 in 4
Only 1 in 4 employees strongly agree that their organization has a strong ethical culture (Gallup, 2024)
50%
Nearly 50% of professionals say they have faced ethical pressure at work in the past year (Ethics & Compliance Initiative, 2023)
National Ethics Case Competition
The National Ethics Case Competition challenges emerging leaders to apply principle-based ethics to navigate real-world dilemmas.
Impact in action
Hear from emerging leaders impacted by our investments in ethics.
Meet the 2025 Winners
Each year, the top three teams in the National Ethics Case Competition rise above the rest by demonstrating bold thinking, courageous leadership, and the ability to apply principle-based decision-making to complex, real-world challenges. Their achievements highlight not only the transformative power of meaningful ethics education but also the promise of a new generation of leaders prepared to inspire trust, strengthen organizations, and advance a thriving free market system.
1st Place
University of Notre Dame
Indiana
2nd Place
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado
3rd Place
United States Air Force Academy
Colorado
2024 Winners
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2023 Winners
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2022 Winners
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National Leader in Ethics: Explore Our Resources
For more than a decade, the Daniels Fund has been a national leader in advancing principle-based ethics education. Through programs, partnerships, and free resources, we help educators, professionals, and organizations bring ethics into everyday decision-making. Our initiatives are shaping a generation of ethical leaders and strengthening integrity across business, education, and community life.
More than $50 million invested
$ M+
Over 1 million students impacted
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8 Principles inspired by Bill Daniels, shaping the next generation of ethical leaders
0 Principles
Case Bank
The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Case Bank is an online library of business cases centered on principle-based ethics. These free, professionally developed cases present real-world ethical challenges designed to inspire reflection and discussion in classrooms and workplaces. Each case integrates the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles and is available in one-part, two-part, and video e-case formats.
Ethics Curriculum and Resources for Educators
For more than a decade, the Daniels Fund has partnered with MBA Research to advance principle-based ethics education for students across the country. Through this collaboration, educators at the middle school, high school, and postsecondary levels have gained free access to comprehensive ethics curriculum and resources, empowering the next generation of ethical leaders.
Case Bank
The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Case Bank is an online library of business cases centered on principle-based ethics. These free, professionally developed cases present real-world ethical challenges designed to inspire reflection and discussion in classrooms and workplaces. Each case integrates the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles and is available in one-part, two-part, and video e-case formats.
Law Enforcement Program
Since 2016, the Daniels Fund has partnered with law enforcement agencies to strengthen ethics within the profession. The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Law Enforcement Program features a series of videos focused on the eight Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles, each paired with a discussion guide to encourage reflection and dialogue. Following a successful pilot with seven police departments, the program is now available nationwide.
Ethics Curriculum and Resources for Educators
For more than a decade, the Daniels Fund has partnered with MBA Research to advance principle-based ethics education for students across the country. Through this collaboration, educators at the middle school, high school, and postsecondary levels have gained free access to comprehensive ethics curriculum and resources, empowering the next generation of ethical leaders.