- Public Interest Registry opens applications for annual .ORG Impact Awards – a global awards ceremony that honors outstanding mission-driven organizations.
- Winners will receive up to $50,000 USD in prize funding to support their work.
- All 35 finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. for the awards ceremony on October 6, 2026.
Dr. Iain Kerr, Ocean Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer, had been looking forward to attending the 2025 .ORG Impact Awards, an annual awards program celebrating mission-driven organizations working to make the world a better place. He was excited to be among what he calls, “my people.” A like-minded community, celebrating the important and meaningful work that mission-driven organizations from around the world are spearheading.
“Running a small nonprofit can feel like a solitary role. Meeting other changemakers and hearing about their projects, struggles, and successes was both heartwarming and empowering,” Kerr explained after attending the .ORG Impact Awards event in Washington, D.C last year.
Kerr knew he was bound to meet some interesting people, but he didn’t expect to encounter mission-driven leaders from three continents behind some of the most inspiring, innovative efforts to create a better world. He even found himself seated next to an Internet pioneer widely recognized as one of its fathers. The two are now working together to use AI to deepen Ocean Alliance’s work on understanding humpback whale communication.
“How cool is that?” said Kerr.
Now that nominations for the 2026 .ORG Impact Awards are officially open, even more members of the .ORG Community have the chance to make such meaningful connections.
From grassroots nonprofits to global NGOs, the awards honor outstanding mission-driven .ORGs and young changemakers from around the world for their positive contributions to society. To nominate an organization or a young changemaker for a .ORG Impact Award, visit orgimpactawards.org and submit an application by May 27, 2026.
For the past eight years, Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit that operates the .ORG domain, has hosted the .ORG Impact Awards. The awards have recognized more than 300 organizations across over 120 countries and awarded $865,000 USD to support transformative work worldwide. In 2025 alone, nearly 3,000 applicants submitted nominations, reflecting the continued growth and impact of the .ORG Community.
“Every year, the .ORG Impact Awards remind us that meaningful change often starts at the community level, driven by people who see a need and come together to take action. Our .ORG Community of changemakers inspires us every year,” said Jon Nevett, CEO of Public Interest Registry. “As we open this year’s nominations, we’re excited to uplift and celebrate the next wave of changemakers who are reimagining what’s possible and strengthening communities around the world.”
The awards recognize changemakers across seven categories: Health and Healing; Quality Education for All; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Environmental Stewardship; Hunger and Poverty; Community Building; and Rising Star. The Rising Star category continues to spotlight young leaders under 30 who are driving meaningful impact in their communities.
For many participants, the .ORG Impact Awards are more than recognition. They are a catalyst for growth. Julienne Lusenge, Executive Director of Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises, 2025 .ORG of the Year winner, shared: “Winning a .ORG Impact Award has allowed us to empower even more Congolese women to build a more just and peaceful future. When changemakers are supported and celebrated, the impact reaches far beyond borders.”
All 35 finalists will be invited to attend the final awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. with complimentary travel, where they will connect with peers. Winners in each category will receive $10,000 USD in donation funding, while one organization will be named .ORG of the Year and awarded a total of $50,000 USD. All finalists will receive a $2,500 USD donation, helping them expand their work, build partnerships, and reach new audiences.
Beyond the financial support, finalists gain access to a growing global network of innovators working to create lasting impact. From increased visibility to unlocking new opportunities for collaboration, the awards provide a platform for changemakers to scale their work and inspire others.
“What makes the .ORG Impact Awards so powerful are the connections that happen when changemakers come together,” continued Nevett. “That’s why it’s so important to create a dedicated space to bring the .ORG Community together to celebrate our shared commitment to making a positive impact on the world.”
“One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was connecting with other organizations. It was inspiring to be surrounded by people working on different challenges but driven by a shared purpose,” Hugo Esteban Rojas Muñoz, CEO of Humanos 3D and winner of the 2025 .ORG Impact Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion said, echoing Kerr’s sentiment. “I had great conversations that are already turning into opportunities; for example, with Ocean Alliance, which is now helping us connect with a 3D printing company, and with IncluEdu in Peru to explore collaborations around disability.”
As Jovia Kissakye, the founder of Ecobed Biotech Initiative and 2025 Rising Star winner describes it: “Being part of .ORG means being in a world of interconnectedness. A world where you are free to share your cause to anyone and where that cause is supported, nurtured and spread to people all over the globe. A world of meaningful connections and opportunity.”
The .ORG Impact Awards offer global visibility and community connections that open doors to new opportunities.
As the .ORG Impact Awards return for 2026, more changemakers will have the opportunity to make those same kinds of connections. Ones that can spark new ideas, new partnerships, and entirely new ways of making an impact.
