Public Interest Registry (PIR), the organization behind the .ORG domain, has unveiled the finalists for the 6th annual .ORG Impact Awards. This year’s finalists represent a diverse group of mission-driven individuals and organizations from around the world, each recognized for their outstanding contributions to society. The awards ceremony, set to take place in Washington, D.C. on October 8, will be hosted by none other than Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor, philanthropist, and activist, Alan Cumming.
A Celebration of Global Impact
The .ORG Impact Awards are a prestigious initiative that highlights the remarkable work being done by organizations that use the .ORG domain to drive positive change. This year’s finalists are involved in a wide range of causes, from expanding access to clean water in Nigeria to supporting the healthy development of children in Chicago. Each finalist will receive a donation of $2,500 USD and will be invited to Washington, D.C., where they will have the opportunity to meet with policy experts and nonprofit leaders before attending the final awards ceremony.
Jon Nevett, President and CEO of Public Interest Registry, expressed his excitement for this year’s event: “The .ORG Impact Awards are my favorite time of year, and I am honored to welcome the inspiring 2024 finalists into our community of changemakers. We started the .ORG Impact Awards to honor the organizations and people across the world who work tirelessly for their communities. This year’s group of finalists represents the very best of our community.”
Alan Cumming to Host
Alan Cumming, known for his roles on stage and screen, as well as his tireless work in philanthropy and activism, will be the host for this year’s ceremony. Beyond his acting career, Cumming is a committed advocate for human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice, supporting organizations like the UN refugee agency, Planned Parenthood, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
“I am honored to be included in this year’s .ORG Impact Awards, and cannot emphasize enough how deserving and inspiring each of these finalists are,” said Cumming. “Social impact is hard work, and I look forward to October, when I get to be a small part of celebrating the incredible efforts of organizations and individuals uplifting communities across the globe.”
Categories and Finalists
This year’s finalists are recognized across seven key categories:
Community Building
Organizations like Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Incorporated (AIDFI) and Kiva are among the finalists in the Community Building category, each working to empower underserved communities through innovative solutions.
Quality Education for All
In the Quality Education for All category, organizations such as Long Way Home and Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation have been recognized for their efforts to provide educational opportunities in challenging environments.
Environmental Stewardship
Finalists in the Environmental Stewardship category, including Green Generation Initiative and TerraCycle Global Foundation, are leading efforts to combat environmental degradation and promote sustainability.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Anchal Charitable Trust and Empowerment Collective are among the organizations recognized in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category for their work in promoting human rights and fostering inclusive communities.
Health and Healing
In the Health and Healing category, organizations like Fistula Foundation and Kids Operating Room are making strides in providing critical healthcare services to vulnerable populations around the world.
Hunger and Poverty
Finalists in the Hunger and Poverty category, including FarmSahel and MicroLoan Foundation USA, are working to alleviate poverty and improve food security in some of the world’s most disadvantaged regions.
Rising Stars
The Rising Stars category celebrates young leaders under 25 who are making significant impacts in their communities. Finalists include Abdul Karim Sesay of Altruistech Luminary Center and Ella Lambert of The Pachamama Project.
.ORG of the Year
One of the most anticipated awards of the evening will be the .ORG of the Year, which will recognize an outstanding nonprofit or nongovernmental organization for their incredible achievements over the past year. The winner will be selected from one of the finalists in the other seven categories and will receive a $50,000 USD donation to further their mission.
Categories and Finalists
This year’s finalists are recognized across seven key categories, each representing a vital area of social impact:
Community Building
- Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Incorporated (AIDFI)
AIDFI empowers rural communities through technological innovation and social enterprise, fostering sustainable growth. - Build Change
Build Change works to ensure that homes are disaster-resilient, protecting lives and livelihoods from climate-induced events. - Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change
This organization provides clean energy and water to underserved communities in Nigeria, promoting climate change education. - Green Empowerment
Green Empowerment strengthens communities by providing clean water, renewable energy, and sustainable solutions. - Kiva
Kiva expands financial access through crowdfunded loans, supporting underserved communities globally.
Quality Education for All
- Long Way Home
Long Way Home fosters democracy and justice through green building and education. - Réfugio 343
This organization provides education and vocational training to refugees, offering a common curriculum that includes intercultural education. - Sahar Education
Sahar creates educational opportunities for girls and women in Afghanistan, empowering them to build peaceful communities. - School the World
School the World works to alleviate poverty by transforming education systems in rural communities. - Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation
This foundation aids Filipino children by providing resources to improve access to education in remote areas.
Environmental Stewardship
- Green Generation Initiative
The Green Generation Initiative empowers communities to take local climate action and adopt regenerative solutions. - Share Our Spare
Share Our Spare provides essential items to children in Chicago, empowering families and fostering community resilience. - SOS Orinoco
SOS Orinoco advocates for urgent measures to address the environmental crisis in Venezuela’s Amazonia. - Subak Australia
Subak Australia supports climate-focused organizations in influencing policy and driving systemic change. - TerraCycle Global Foundation
TerraCycle prevents and recycles plastic waste, educating communities on sustainable practices to reduce pollution.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Anchal Charitable Trust
Anchal supports at-risk children in India, addressing disability, HIV/AIDS, and child labor. - Be THE Voice
This initiative fosters positive change by teaching communication skills that promote empathy and respect among students. - Empowerment Collective
Empowerment Collective works towards a world free from modern slavery, promoting dignity and survivor-led leadership. - For the People
For The People reshapes the justice system by empowering prosecutors to safely release people from prison. - The Center for Courageous Kids
This center transforms lives by providing camp experiences for children with serious illnesses.
Health and Healing
- Fistula Foundation
Fistula Foundation provides life-transforming surgeries and support to women with childbirth injuries. - Global Response Medicine
Global Response Medicine preserves life and health for children in war-torn areas. - Kids Operating Room
Kids Operating Room builds pediatric surgical facilities and trains doctors in underserved regions. - ONG Zoé
ONG Zoé delivers healthcare to the guardians of the Amazon Rainforest. - Penta Medical Recycling
Penta Medical Recycling provides high-quality, low-cost prosthetic equipment to amputees worldwide.
Hunger and Poverty
- FarmSahel
FarmSahel teaches regenerative agriculture to women farmers in the Sahel region, enhancing food security. - MicroLoan Foundation USA
This foundation advances gender equality in sub-Saharan Africa through microfinance and business training. - Solidarités International
Solidarités International provides emergency aid, helping disaster-affected communities regain self-sufficiency. - U-turn Homeless Ministries
U-turn Homeless Ministries empowers people in South Africa to overcome homelessness through holistic support. - Villages in Partnership
This organization partners with villages in Malawi to provide essential services like clean water and healthcare.
Rising Stars
- Abdul Karim Sesay, Altruistech Luminary Center
Abdul transforms education in Sierra Leone through STEM and environmental sustainability initiatives. - Foday David Kamara, EcoVironment
Foday empowers youth to promote environmental sustainability through plastic recycling. - Joy Oluwatoyin Adeboye, Resilient Girl Initiative
Joy supports survivors of sexual violence and builds leadership capacity among girls and women. - Ella Lambert, The Pachamama Project
Ella’s organization makes reusable sanitary pads for refugees, combating global period poverty. - Clinton Okechukwu, The R.E.T.I.N.A. Project
Clinton’s initiative combats preventable blindness in African communities through innovative solutions.
.ORG of the Year
One of the most anticipated awards is the .ORG of the Year, which recognizes an outstanding nonprofit or nongovernmental organization nominated in one of the other seven categories. The winner will receive a $50,000 USD donation to support their mission.
Looking Forward to the Ceremony
The .ORG Impact Awards ceremony promises to be a night of inspiration and celebration, recognizing the remarkable work of these organizations. For more information on the awards and the finalists, visit www.orgimpactawards.org.
