Common to Host 2025 .ORG Impact Awards as Public Interest Registry Reveals Finalists
The Public Interest Registry (PIR), operator of the .ORG domain, has announced the finalists for the 2025 .ORG Impact Awards. Out of nearly 3,000 applicants across more than 120 countries, 35 organizations and individuals were selected for their contributions to communities worldwide. Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy winner Common will host the ceremony in Washington, D.C. on October 7.
Why the Awards Matter
The .ORG Impact Awards spotlight mission-driven organizations addressing issues from education and health to poverty and environmental stewardship. Every finalist receives a $2,500 donation and the chance to connect with global nonprofit leaders. Category winners will each receive $10,000, and the prestigious .ORG of the Year will take home $50,000. The recognition can raise visibility, attract new funding, and expand reach for these groups.
A Host Who Walks the Talk
Common is more than a performer. Through his nonprofit, Free to Dream, he works to improve education, justice, wellness, and job opportunities. His work dismantles barriers in schools and prisons, providing new paths for youth and communities. As host, he brings authenticity to an event built around leadership and impact.
The Categories and Finalists
Community Building
- Empower Mali – empowermali.org
- Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises – ffcrdc.org
- Long Way Home – lwhome.org
- Techo – techo.org
- Well Aware – wellawareworld.org
Quality Education for All
- Central Leadership Academy – centralleadershipacademy.org
- IncluEdu – incluedu.org
- Rocket Learning Foundation – rocketlearning.org
- NABU – nabu.org
- Yellow Boat of Hope Indonesia – yellowboat-id.org
Environmental Stewardship
- Matter of Trust – matteroftrust.org
- Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) – naturewildlife.org
- Ocean Alliance, Inc. – whale.org
- Wandusoa Organic Cameroon Development Association – wandusoa.org
- The Welman Project – thewelmanproject.org
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Found in Translation – found-in-translation.org
- Humanos 3D – humanos3d.org
- Imkaan Welfare Organization – imkaan.org
- Purnata – purnata.org
- Red Dot Global Foundation – reddotfoundation.org
Health and Healing
- Access to Specialist Knowledge – accesstospecialistknowledge.org
- The BIG Fix Uganda – thebigfixuganda.org
- Global Response Medicine – global-response.org
- Nunchi Health – nunchihealth.org
- Tiba Foundation – tibafoundation.org
Hunger and Poverty
- Andando – andando.org
- Kula Project – kulaproject.org
- Manna Cafe Ministries – mannacafeministries.org
- MicroLoan Foundation USA – microloanfoundationusa.org
- The Rahul Kotak Foundation – therahulkotakfoundation.org
Rising Stars
- Aworanti Salvation Grace, Voices Against Rape and Sexual Harassment Foundation – varshfoundation.org
- Joshua Williams, Joshua’s Heart Foundation – joshuasheart.org
- Jovia Kisaakye, Ecobed Biotech Brand – ecobedbiotech.org
- Nicholas Lowinger, Gotta Have Sole – gottahavesole.org
- Zofia Kierner, Girls Future Ready Foundation – girlsfutureready.org
The .ORG of the Year winner will be announced at the Washington, D.C. ceremony. That organization will receive $50,000 and the spotlight that comes with the recognition. For many finalists, the visibility may matter as much as the funding. It’s not every day that nonprofits get to stand shoulder-to-shoulder on a global stage, with someone like Common cheering them on. This year’s awards underscore the same message year after year: when communities invest in purpose-driven work, the results ripple far beyond one night in October.