Public Interest Registry (PIR), the force behind the .ORG domain, proudly unveiled the outstanding winners of the 5th Annual .ORG Impact Awards. This annual program, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating exceptional mission-driven organizations and individuals, showcased the incredible efforts of those committed to making the world a better place.
In a lively awards ceremony held in Washington D.C., hosted by the dynamic Padma Lakshmi—activist, author, and host/producer of Hulu’s Taste the Nation—seven winners emerged from a competitive pool of nearly 1,000 applicants representing over 70 countries. The ceremony marked a joyful return to in-person events, the first since the onset of the pandemic, and saw a record-breaking total of $180,000 in donations distributed to deserving organizations within the global .ORG community.
The winners, each making an indelible impact in their respective categories, received accolades in seven key areas:
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Community Building
- Recipient: Kakenya’s Dream
- Donation: $10,000 USD
Kakenya’s Dream, an organization dedicated to investing in girls from rural communities through educational, health, and leadership initiatives, was recognized for its transformative work. Starting as a single primary school beneath the shade of a tree, Kakenya’s Dream has evolved into a global force, operating two world-class boarding schools and numerous programs that empower thousands across rural Kenya annually.
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Quality Education for All
- Recipient: Seeding Labs
- Donation: $10,000 USD
Seeding Labs, committed to unleashing the full potential of scientists globally, received acclaim for providing essential tools and training to scientists worldwide. Their efforts focus on responding to local challenges before they escalate into global crises, thereby strengthening the global scientific community.
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Environmental Stewardship
- Recipient: CREATE Borneo
- Donation: $10,000 USD
CREATE Borneo, an organization striving to equip indigenous youth with the means to preserve their culture and engage in environmental stewardship, was recognized for its innovative approach. Through a village-based workshop and training facility, CREATE Borneo educates the next generation of indigenous engineers in renewable energy technologies.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Recipient: Hope for Justice
- Donation: $10,000 USD
In addition to being crowned .ORG of the Year, Hope for Justice earned another accolade in this category for its unwavering commitment to ending modern slavery and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion on a global scale.
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Health and Healing
- Recipient: HERhealthEQ
- Donation: $10,000 USD
HERhealthEQ, born out of a need to reduce the equity gap in healthcare for women worldwide, received recognition for its impactful work. The organization provides access to medical devices and equipment, aiming to create an equitable standard of care and improve women’s health in developing countries.
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Hunger and Poverty
- Recipient: WHOlives
- Donation: $10,000 USD
WHOlives, committed to bringing clean water to developing communities through a self-sustainable process, received accolades for its innovative solution. By creating local ownership and economic incentives, WHOlives ensures the continuous operation of wells, leading to improved education, health, and sanitation in these communities.
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Rising Star
- Recipient: Stanley Anigbogu, LightEd
- Donation: $10,000 USD
Stanley Anigbogu, the founder of LightEd, a renewable energy company focusing on innovative solutions using waste material, was recognized as a rising star. LightEd’s goal is to empower over 5 million Africans to live sustainably by 2035 through accessible renewable energy solutions.
Additionally, the prestigious title of .ORG of the Year was awarded to UK-based nonprofit Hope for Justice for its exceptional efforts to end modern slavery. The organization received a generous donation of $50,000 USD to further support its mission.
Jon Nevett, President and CEO of Public Interest Registry, expressed his admiration for the winners, stating, “We are honored to recognize our 2023 .ORG Impact Award winners, who hail from communities across the globe and tackle incredible challenges with grit, innovation, and commitment to making the world a better place.”
Padma Lakshmi, addressing the finalists at the awards ceremony, emphasized the power of the .ORG Community in creating a platform for positive change, stating, “Because of the Internet, because of the .ORG Community, everyone, no matter who you are or where you’re from, can have a platform to make the world just a little bit better.”
Tim Nelson, CEO of Hope for Justice, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This is an amazing honor for us to receive at Hope for Justice. I want to accept this on behalf of all the amazing staff and teams that we have internationally who go to the ends of the earth to try and find individuals and see those individuals set free from everything that has happened to them.”
The .ORG Impact Awards not only celebrate these remarkable organizations and individuals but also highlight the power of collective efforts to drive positive change in communities worldwide. Public Interest Registry continues to be a champion for a free and open Internet, providing a trusted digital identity and supporting those dedicated to improving the world.
For more information about Public Interest Registry and the .ORG Impact Awards, visit www.pir.org.