
The submission period is now closed.
To be considered for a Classy Award, you are required to complete a nomination profile focused on the impact and innovation of a program run by your organization. Sign up to receive our emails to be the first to know when nominations open for the 2023 Classy Awards.

2022 Timeline
February 8, 2022
Nominations Open
March 15, 2022
Nomination Deadline
April 7, 2022
Top 50 Finalists Announced
June 14, 2022
Winners Announced
Benefits of a Classy Award
The Classy Awards are an opportunity for your organization to be recognized as one of the most innovative social programs worldwide. Winning organizations receive an even portion of the $90,000 prize pool, gain exposure to top leaders across the social sector, and build credibility with donors and supporters.
Top 50 finalists receive:
Program evaluation by the Leadership Council, a group of top social sector influencers
Discounted admission to Classy’s 2022 Collaborative conference
A feature on the finalists page of the Classy Awards website
Recognition on Classy’s blog
Press kit complete with templates and tools to leverage award notoriety

Top 13 winners receive:
$90K prize pool awarded by Classy, two of its founders, and GoFundMe. This award fund will be split evenly between the winning nonprofit organizations.
Two complimentary admissions to Classy’s 2022 Collaborative conference
Invitation to an exclusive cocktail reception on June 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, PA
Special recognition and a VIP event experience at the Collaborative
Custom Classy Awards trophy
Inclusion in the Classy Award winners press announcement and subsequent media relations campaign
A feature on the winners page of the Classy Awards website
Recognition on Classy’s blog and social media
Press kit complete with templates and tools to leverage award notoriety

Award Categories
Social Innovation
The 10 most innovative nonprofits, selected by the Leadership Council.

Featured: Blood:Water
People’s Choice
Presented By
The nonprofit most deserving of recognition, as voted on by the general public.

Featured: Project C.U.R.E.
Adapt & Overcome
An organization that has transformed the structure of their program to conquer an unexpected challenge.

Featured: The Greater Boston Food Bank
Lifetime Achievement
An individual who has achieved excellence over a lifetime of service in the social sector.

Featured: Hope for Haiti
Eligibility
Classy Awards are awarded based on the following eligibility:
- Applicants must be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status and a valid EIN number
- Organizations must be headquartered in the United States, but programs can operate anywhere in the world
- Organizations must have a representative who is a U.S. resident
- The representative who completes the profile must be 18 years or older
- Programs must address a quantifiable social problem
- Programs must have at least one year of measurable results
- A program is considered a specific initiative that addresses a social or environmental problem, relies on dedicated resources and budget, and has a strategy to achieve distinct goals
- Organizations may submit up to five programs for consideration
- Organizations must comply with all rules, restrictions, and processes laid out in the Terms of Participation.

Judging Process
Phase 1: Nominees
- All applicants must complete a nomination profile to be eligible for the Classy Awards
- Organizations can submit up to five programs for consideration
- Each completed program profile will count as a submission for a Classy Award
- Nomination profiles must be complete and submitted by 11:59 p.m. PST on March 15, 2022
- Nomination Period: February 8 to March 15, 2022
Phase 2: Finalists
- All completed profiles are evaluated and scored by the Classy Awards Committee based on the following judging criteria:
- Scale, scope, and expertise in addressing the problem
- Ability to solve the problem
- Creativity of the solution
- Organizational effectiveness and resource management
- The 50 programs with the highest scores will be announced as the Classy Awards finalists
- Finalists Announced: April 7, 2022
Phase 3: Winners
- Finalists will be considered for all award categories
- The top 50 finalists are evaluated and scored by the Leadership Council based on the same judging criteria, without reference to previous scores
- The winner of the People’s Choice category will be selected by public vote
- The winners will be announced on the Classy Awards website
- Winners Announced: June 14, 2022
The submission period is now closed.
Sign up to receive our emails to be the first to know when nominations open for the 2023 Classy Awards.
