Call for Applications: .ORG Impact Awards ($50,000)

The .ORG Impact Awards is a global awards program to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations that have a connection to a registered .ORG domain for their contributions, achievements and impact they have made in their communities.

Key Dates

Nominations open: April 23, 2025 at 10a.m. United States Eastern Time
Nomination deadline: June 4, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. United States Eastern Time
Finalists announced: August 2025

Winners announced at the celebratory event on October 7, in Washington DC.

Category Descriptions

The .ORG Impact Awards seek to celebrate significant achievements by members of the .ORG community.

Health and Healing: Recognizes an organization or individual dedicated to advancing health and well-being in their community by ensuring access to care, resources, and support.

Quality Education for All: Recognizes an organization or individual breaking down barriers to education, fostering learning opportunities that empower individuals, and creating pathways to a brighter future for all.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Recognizes an organization or individual fostering a more inclusive and equitable world by breaking down barriers, amplifying underrepresented voices, and driving meaningful change that creates opportunities for all.

Environmental Stewardship: Recognizes an organization or individual leading the way in protecting our planet, promoting sustainability, and inspiring communities to create a healthier, more resilient future.

Hunger and Poverty: Recognizes an organization or individual who has made significant contributions and innovations to combat hunger, reduce poverty, and create lasting economic opportunities that uplift individuals and communities.

Community Building: Recognizes an organization or individual whose efforts are strengthening the fabric of their community, fostering connections, and driving meaninful change on a local, national, or global level.

Rising Star: Recognizes an individual under the age of 30 by December 31, 2025, who is shaping the future, demonstrating leadership, and driving impact through their passion, innovation, and committment to positive change.

The .ORG Impact Awards .ORG of the Year – Recognizes an organization or individual for
outstanding achievement as evidenced by results and/or contributions to its sector, constituents, community or society at large. The finalists in the other seven categories are automatically eligible for this award.

As the .ORG of the Year award will be selected by PIR, no submissions or nominations for this category will be accepted.

FAQS:

What are The .ORG Impact Awards?

The .ORG Impact Awards is a global awards program to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations that have a connection to a registered .ORG domain for their contributions, achievements and impact they have made in their communities.

Who can enter?

The .ORG Impact Awards is open only to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have permission to nominate the individual or entity that uses or has a connection to .ORG domain. Unfortunately, employees of Public Interest Registry and any of its parent and affiliate companies, as well as the immediate family and household members of each such employee are not eligible to nominate individuals or entities, or be considered as a nominee for any award. For more on eligibility please see the official rules for more details.

Can I nominate someone who is less than 18 years old?

Yes, you can nominate an individual who is less than 18 years old with their permission. However, if a nominee less than 18 years of age qualifies as a finalist they will be required to complete a consent form signed by their parent or legal guardian.

Is the program open to individuals/organizations from all countries?

The .ORG Impact Awards is a global program subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and is void where prohibited. For this reason, eligibility varies and participation is not available in some countries. For more on eligibility per country, please see Section 1 of the official rules for more details.

How do I participate?

Visit enter.orgimpactawards.org and follow the links and instructions to complete and submit the online form.

For official eligibility criteria and rules of The .ORG Impact Awards program, as well as submission requirements, deadlines and judging information, please download The .ORG Impact Awards Entry Kit.

How many times can I submit a nomination?

There is not an official limit to the number of entries and a nominator may submit nominations for all categories; however, each submission must be unique. The sponsor reserves the right to modify the award category selected as necessary if it believes that the content of the nomination fits better in a different award category.

What time period should my entry cover?

Activities highlighted in the submission must have occurred between April 23, 2024 and April 23, 2025. If the activity began before April 23, 2024 or extends beyond April 23, 2025 the entry is still eligible so long as meaningful activity occurred between the two dates.

Is there a word count?

Yes; written responses are required for each award category. There is a 500-word limit for each question.

Will any of the information I provide in the entry be made public?

Yes; nominations may be featured in various .ORG digital platforms throughout the year, including articles, videos, social posts, and more. Please see official rules for more details on the use of submissions and publicity.

What happens after I apply?

After the end of the nomination period, all entries will be vetted by a Review Panel and 10 entries will be selected to move to a judging phase where a panel of qualified judges determined by Public Interest Registry will score each submission against the judging criteria outlined in the program’s official rules. Based on the award categories there is a slightly different set of criteria for various awards. Please see Section 7 of the official rules for more details on the judging criteria.

When will the finalists be notified?

Each finalist will be invited to a (virtual) celebratory event in early November to honor the amazing work of the .ORG community and to announce the winners of each category and the .ORG of the Year. Both winners and finalists will be notified on or about August 12, 2025 so that digital and video content featuring them can be produced for the online event.

What are the winners awarded with?

Winners will receive a custom award and the ability to select a non-profit or NGO organization of their choice to receive up to a $50,000 contribution (depending on the award category). Nonprofit entrants are welcome to select their own nonprofit as the beneficiary of that donation. Individuals, for-profits and community groups are welcome to select any nonprofit they believe in to receive the donation. Public Interest Registry reserves the right to approve any charitable donations.

.ORG of the Year – $40,000 USD
Category Winners – $10,000 USD
Category Finalists (non-winners) – $2,500 USD

More importantly, we hope recognition through The .ORG Impact Awards will help raise the profile of your .ORG and provide additional validation to your programs. Additionally, winners will have the opportunity to:

• Be featured extensively online during the .ORG Impact Awards event in October 2025
• Use a dedicated .ORG Impact Awards logo mark in promotional materials
• Be featured in various .ORG digital platforms throughout the year, including articles, videos, social posts, and more.

What is the format of the awards program?

In 2025, the .ORG Impact Awards will be presented at an in-person live event hosted in Washington, DC.

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