The 2025 .ORG Impact Awards proved once again that the internet’s most trusted domain extension, .ORG, remains a beacon for purpose-driven organizations. Hosted by Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy winner Common, the Washington, D.C. ceremony honored seven outstanding organizations and individuals from nearly 3,000 applicants across 120 countries. The night’s top honor went to the Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises (The Fund for Congolese Women), crowned .ORG of the Year for its groundbreaking work empowering women across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A Night Dedicated to Global Impact
Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit behind the .ORG domain, awarded $180,000 in donations to changemakers in seven distinct categories: Community Building, Quality Education for All, Environmental Stewardship, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Health and Healing, Hunger and Poverty, and Rising Star. Each category highlights a different facet of social impact, from education to environmental conservation.
Jon Nevett, President and CEO of Public Interest Registry, called the honorees “the very best of the .ORG Community,” emphasizing that these organizations demonstrate what’s possible when purpose and persistence intersect. His words resonated as Common, the evening’s host, applauded the winners for “reminding us that when we care and do for each other, the world is naturally better.”
Spotlight on the Fund for Congolese Women
The night’s brightest spotlight shone on the Fund for Congolese Women, which received both the .ORG of the Year and Community Building awards. Founded to uplift women in the DRC, the organization provides programs addressing gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS awareness, reproductive health, and environmental justice. It bridges the gap between global donors and local grassroots women’s groups, ensuring that funding and resources reach those who need them most.
Representing the organization, Program Assistant and Office Manager Gisele Kambesa reflected on the organization’s origins: “Our mission began when a group of women decided they wouldn’t wait for change — they would make it happen. This award is for all women fighting for a better tomorrow.” The $50,000 donation from PIR will further strengthen their programs and extend support to more women-led initiatives across the DRC.
Meet the 2025 .ORG Impact Award Winners
.ORG of the Year – Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises (The Fund for Congolese Women)
Donation: $50,000
The organization champions gender equality and justice by funding grassroots women’s groups across the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their initiatives combat gender-based violence, promote education on reproductive health, and advocate for environmental equity.
Community Building – Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises (The Fund for Congolese Women)
In addition to winning .ORG of the Year, the Fund also earned recognition for its work uniting women-led movements that transform entire communities from within.
Quality Education for All – IncluEdu
Donation: $10,000
Based in Latin America, IncluEdu is reshaping education by using artificial intelligence to teach sign language and promote deaf inclusion. Its platform equips teachers with inclusive tools, real-time feedback, and interactive learning resources that open doors for students with hearing impairments.
Environmental Stewardship – Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS)
Donation: $10,000
In India, NEWS restores mangrove ecosystems and builds resilience against climate challenges. Working alongside local communities, it empowers women climate leaders and creates sustainable livelihoods that protect biodiversity.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Humanos 3D
Donation: $10,000
Using 3D printing technology, Humanos 3D develops custom assistive devices for people with upper limb disabilities. By combining technology and empathy, the organization transforms lives and promotes a more inclusive society.
Health and Healing – Access to Specialist Knowledge
Donation: $10,000
This initiative links healthcare workers in underserved regions with U.S. specialists who offer free consultations. The collaboration enhances patient care, expands medical expertise, and reduces disparities in access to quality healthcare worldwide.
Hunger and Poverty – Andando
Donation: $10,000
Operating in Senegal, Andando takes a holistic approach to fighting poverty. Through partnerships focused on clean water, education, healthcare, and agroforestry, it helps rural communities achieve long-term independence and self-sufficiency.
Rising Star – Jovia Kisaakye, Ecobed Biotech
Donation: $10,000
At just under 30, Jovia Kisaakye is proving that innovation and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. Her company, Ecobed Biotech, converts food waste into mosquito-repellent lotion, clean fuel, and organic fertilizer — a trifecta of solutions addressing health, energy, and sustainability.
A Legacy of Impact and Inspiration
Since launching the .ORG Impact Awards seven years ago, Public Interest Registry has donated more than $865,000 to mission-driven organizations worldwide. Each year, the initiative grows in reach and recognition, spotlighting extraordinary changemakers whose digital presence amplifies their purpose. The 2025 ceremony continued that tradition — blending inspiration, action, and community under one shared banner: impact through purpose.
The event wasn’t just an awards show; it was a reminder that the .ORG community thrives on empathy and action. Every project, from digital education to mangrove restoration, tells a story of people using technology for good — not for profit. That’s a message worth spreading, and one the .ORG community continues to prove year after year.
As Common said with a grin that night, “Passion and purpose can move mountains.” Judging by this year’s winners, the mountains are definitely moving.