Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit operator behind the .ORG domain, has officially opened nominations for the seventh annual .ORG Impact Awards. The program celebrates individuals and organizations using .ORG domains to tackle global challenges—from education and poverty to healthcare and climate action.
Expanded Opportunities for Young Leaders
One notable update in 2025: PIR has raised the age limit for its “Rising Star” category, which now accepts nominees under 30 years old (previously capped at 25). The change opens the door to a broader range of young leaders making a mark through digital and grassroots efforts alike.
Prize Pool and Ceremony Details
This year’s total prize pool stands at $180,000 USD. Seven category winners will each receive $10,000 in funding. The highest honor—.ORG of the Year—comes with a $50,000 award. Finalists in all categories will receive $2,500 each.
Finalists will also be flown to Washington, D.C. for a multi-day event culminating in a formal awards ceremony on October 7, 2025. The event includes networking opportunities with nonprofit leaders, and a celebrity host will be revealed closer to the date.
Award Categories
Nominees must have an active .ORG domain. Individuals or organizations may submit applications for multiple categories:
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Health and Healing
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Quality Education for All
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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Environmental Stewardship
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Hunger and Poverty
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Community Building
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Rising Star
Applications are free to submit and accepted from April 23 to June 4, 2025. A panel of judges from the nonprofit, tech, and marketing sectors will review the entries. Finalists will be announced August 12, 2025.
Track Record of Global Impact
The .ORG Impact Awards have honored 226 organizations across more than 87 countries since the program began. Last year’s winner, Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation in the Philippines, received the top honor for its work providing boats to schoolchildren in remote communities—turning inaccessible education into a daily possibility.
Other previous winners include:
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Kiva – expanding access to capital through microloans
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The Center for Courageous Kids – delivering life-changing camp experiences for chronically ill children
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Kids Operating Room – equipping hospitals in underserved countries with pediatric surgery units
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Share Our Spare – supplying diapers and baby essentials to families in Chicago
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Solidarités International – providing disaster relief and sustainable recovery efforts
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The R.E.T.I.N.A Initiative – combatting preventable blindness across African communities
Each of these organizations exemplifies the power of digital platforms to drive real-world impact.
PIR’s Commitment to Purpose
PIR, founded in 2002 by the Internet Society, has long championed the .ORG domain as a trusted space for changemakers. With over 11 million .ORG domains currently registered, the registry provides digital infrastructure for nonprofits, grassroots efforts, and cause-driven entrepreneurs.
The .ORG Impact Awards further that mission by supporting visibility and funding for those who dedicate their work to improving lives at every level.
What Happens Next
Nomination forms and full eligibility details are available at www.orgimpactawards.org. As applications roll in from across the globe, the stage is set once again to spotlight those using digital tools to drive meaningful, lasting progress.