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