Nonprofit Excellence Awards
Celebrating outstanding nonprofit organizations, leaders, and volunteers whose impact strengthens and elevates the nonprofit sector.
Recognizing Exemplary Nonprofits & Professionals.
The Nonprofit Excellence Awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of nonprofit professionals, organizations, and volunteers in our community. Join us in honoring those who make a difference, inspire others, and exemplify the highest standards in nonprofit excellence.
About the Awards
The Nonprofit Excellence Awards highlight the achievements of individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to strengthen our community. Each year, these awards bring together nonprofit professionals, supporters, and advocates for an inspiring celebration of leadership, innovation, and dedication. Honorees are celebrated through a formal ceremony during the fourth week in June,
Celebrate Nonprofits Week.
The nomination period is open now through April 10th, 2026.
Click each individual award below for requirements and submission details.
2026 Award Categories
We are proud to recognize excellence across the nonprofit sector through the following awards during a formal ceremony in June 2026.
Nonprofit of the Year
The Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding nonprofit organization that is making big impact in our community.
The organization you are nominating must…
- Be a member organization in good standing with The Nonprofit Partnership. Unsure? Please review the Member Directory to verify!
- Be an awesome nonprofit!
The nominator must…
Be available to answer follow-up questions, if needed.
The details:
- There is no limit to the amount of nominations submitted.
- Nominations are $20 per submission.
- Deadline: Submissions are due by April 10, 2026.
- Submissions must be completed in entirety to be considered.
- Honorees will be notified in late April 2026.
- Honorees will be recognized during Celebrate Nonprofits Week 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
Please note: you are unable to save your progress within the nomination form. Click here to download the nomination form below if interested in preparing your content before submission.
CEO of the Year
The CEO of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding nonprofit leader!
The CEO/Executive Director whom you are nominating must…
- Be employed by a member organization with The Nonprofit Partnership. Unsure? Please review the Member Directory to verify!
- Be an awesome leader!
The nominator must…
- Be a staff member, Board member, consultant, or committed volunteer involved with CEO/Executive Director’s organization.
- Think the individual is top-notch leader!
- Be available to answer follow-up questions, if needed.
The details:
- There is no limit to the amount of nominations submitted.
- Nominations are $20 per submission.
- Deadline: Submissions are due by April 10, 2026.
- Submissions must be completed in entirety to be considered.
- Honorees will be notified in late April 2026.
- Honorees will be recognized during Celebrate Nonprofits Week 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
Please note: you are unable to save your progress within the nomination form. Click here to download the nomination form below if interested in preparing your content before submission.
Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance
The Charles H. Bracken Excellence in Nonprofit Governance Award recognizes an outstanding Board member.
The individual you are nominating must…
- Be a board member with a member organization with The Nonprofit Partnership. Unsure? Please review the Member Directory to verify!
- Display excellence in nonprofit governance!
The nominator must…
- Be a staff member, Board member, consultant, or committed volunteer that is well-acquainted with the individual and with the organization.
- Think the Board member displays excellence in nonprofit governance!
- Be available to answer follow-up questions, if needed.
The details:
- There is no limit to the amount of nominations submitted.
- Nominations are $20 per submission.
- Deadline: Submissions are due by April 10, 2026.
- Submissions must be completed in entirety to be considered.
- Honorees will be notified in late April 2026.
- Honorees will be recognized during Celebrate Nonprofits Week 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
Please note: you are unable to save your progress within the nomination form.
Click here to download the nomination form below if interested in preparing your content before submission.
Best Place to Work
The Best Place to Work Award recognizes an exceptional nonprofit organization!
The organization you are nominating must…
- Be a member organization in good standing with The Nonprofit Partnership. Unsure? Please review the Member Directory to verify!
- Be the best of the best!
The nominator must…
- Be a staff member, Board member, consultant, or committed volunteer that is well-acquainted with the organization.
- Think the organization is the best, most wonderful-est place to work!
- Be available to answer follow-up questions, if needed.
The details:
- There is no limit to the amount of nominations submitted.
- Nominations are $20 per submission.
- Deadline: Submissions are due by April 10, 2026.
- Submissions must be completed in entirety to be considered.
- Honorees will be notified in late April 2026.
- Honorees will be recognized during Celebrate Nonprofits Week 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
Please note: you are unable to save your progress within the nomination form.
Click here to download the nomination form below if interested in preparing your content before submission.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award recognizes an organization that demonstrates a strong and ongoing commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within its own workplace culture and practices, as well as through its engagement with the broader community.
This award celebrates internal initiatives that prioritize DEI as a core value, creating an inclusive and equitable environment for employees and stakeholders.
The organization you are nominating must…
- Be a member organization in good standing with The Nonprofit Partnership. Unsure? Please review the Member Directory to verify!
- Display commitment to DEI!
The nominator must…
- Be a staff member, Board member, consultant, or committed volunteer that is well-acquainted with the organization.
- Be available to answer follow-up questions, if needed.
The details:
- There is no limit to the amount of nominations submitted.
- Nominations are $20 per submission.
- Deadline: Submissions are due by April 10, 2026.
- Submissions must be completed in entirety to be considered.
- Honorees will be notified in late April 2026.
- Honorees will be recognized during Celebrate Nonprofits Week 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
Please note: you are unable to save your progress within the nomination form.
Click here to download the nomination form below if interested in preparing your content before submission.
Young Professional of the Year
The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes a young professional in the nonprofit field that demonstrates a passion for both the sector and their own development.
The professional you are nominating must…
- Be a staff member with a member organization in good standing with The Nonprofit Partnership. Unsure? Please review the Member Directory to verify!
- Be between 21 and 40 years of age.
- Be busy making moves professionally!
The nominator must…
- Truly believe the young professional they’re nominating is wonderful!
- Be available to answer follow-up questions, if needed.
The details:
- There is no limit to the amount of nominations submitted.
- Nominations are $20 per submission.
- Deadline: Submissions are due by April 10, 2026.
- Submissions must be completed in entirety to be considered.
- Honorees will be notified in late April 2026.
- Honorees will be recognized during Celebrate Nonprofits Week 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
Please note: you are unable to save your progress within the nomination form.
Click here to download the nomination form below if interested in preparing your content before submission.
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer.
The individual you are nominating must…
- Be a volunteer with a member organization in good standing with The Nonprofit Partnership. Unsure? Please review the Member Directory to verify!
- Be a true advocate for the nonprofit's mission!
The nominator must…
- Be a staff member, Board member, consultant, or committed volunteer that is well-acquainted with the individual and with the organization.
- Think the volunteer goes above and beyond!
- Be available to answer follow-up questions, if needed.
The details:
- There is no limit to the amount of nominations submitted.
- Nominations are $20 per submission.
- Deadline: Submissions are due by April 10, 2026.
- Submissions must be completed in entirety to be considered.
- Honorees will be notified in late April 2026.
- Honorees will be recognized during Celebrate Nonprofits Week 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
Please note: you are unable to save your progress within the nomination form.
Click here to download the nomination form below if interested in preparing your content before submission.
Previous Honorees
Each year, the Nonprofit Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the organizations, leaders, and volunteers who exemplify dedication, innovation, and impact across our nonprofit community. Our previous honorees represent a wide range of missions and roles, yet they share a common commitment to strengthening our region and advancing meaningful change. We are proud to recognize and celebrate their lasting contributions to the nonprofit sector.
For our sixth year (2025), we recognized:
- CEO of the Year – Katie Kretz, MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center
- Best Place to Work – Achievement Center of LECOM Health
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance – Gary Borowy, Harborcreek Youth Services
- Young Professional of the Year – Casey Corritore, Erie Arts and Culture
- Volunteer of the Year – Timothy Campbell, Community Blood Bank
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Chuck Walczak, Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc. (EHCA) (retired)
For our fifth year (2024), we recognized:
- Nonprofit of the Year - expERIEnce Children's Museum
- CEO of the Year - Jennie Hagerty, Mercy Center for Women
- Best Place to Work - Northwest Institute of Research/JAM Team Foundation
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - Candace Battles, Our West Bayfront
- Young Professionals of the Year - Jackie Wassel, Erie Cancer Wellness Center AND Chantel Rodriguez, WQLN PBS NPR
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion - Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System (MHEDS)
- Service for the Soul - Nathaniel Wasserman (Erie Insurance), North Star Mentoring - Family Services of NW PA
For our fourth year (2023), we recognized:
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - William (Bill) Miller III, Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of NW PA
- Nonprofit of the Year - Impact Corry
- CEO of the Year - Daria Devlin, Erie Center for Arts & Technology
- Lifetime Achievement - Ann Scott, Erie Insurance (ret.)
For our third year (2022), we recognized:
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - Ed Goebel, Community Country Day School
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Erie Arts & Culture
- Nonprofit of the Year - WQLN PBS NPR
- Best Place to Work - Erie Humane Society
- CEO of the Year - Rina Irwin, Child Development Centers, Inc.
For our second year (2021), we recognized:
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - Tim Hunter, McInnes Rolled Rings and past Board Chair with The Erie Community Foundation
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
- Nonprofit of the Year - Asbury Woods
- Best Place to Work - Crime Victim Center of Erie County
- CEO of the Year - Karen Musante, Foundation for Free Enterprise Education
For our first year (2020), we recognized:
- CEO of the Year - Michael Robb, Alliance for Nonprofit Resources
- Nonprofit of the Year - YMCA of Greater Erie
- Best Place to Work - Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc.
- Young Professional of the Year - Cassie Dundon, Achievement Center
- Lifetime Achievement - Michael Batchelor, The Erie Community Foundation
August 13, 2025
The Rise of Gen Z in Nonprofits: Purpose-Driven Careers and Fresh Perspectives
by Regan Ganoe, Operations & Events Assistant - The Nonprofit Partnership
Gen Z is reshaping the nonprofit sector with fresh ideas, social justice passion, and a drive to lead meaningful change.
Read More ⇢
May 12, 2025
The ROI of Nonprofit Assessment: It’s More Than Just Numbers
by Adam Bratton, Executive Director - The Nonprofit Partnership
Organizational assessments often get a bad rap—but when done right, they cut through the noise, refocus your team on the mission, and turn reflection into real, strategic growth.
Read More ⇢
March 3, 2025
Hitting a Home Run With Your Annual Fundraising Plan
by Jeff Bagel, CFRE - eAdvancement Consulting
A strong annual fundraising plan (AFP) helps nonprofits work smarter and stay mission-focused. Join Jeff Bagel on May 14 to refine your AFP and boost your impact!
Read More ⇢
What Our Client Say
The Nonprofit Partnership is the premier resource for nonprofits in our area. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible. The online resources & educational sessions are informative and provide help conveniently. Whether you're starting out in the nonprofit sector, or have been working for decades, the NPP helps keep you up to date & relevant.
LEEANN KRAHE, CTRS
Director of Activities & Volunteer Services
Pleasant Ridge Manor & The Friends Forever Volunteers
With so many non-profits in Erie County, it is great to have resources and collaboration available through the Erie Non-Profit Partnership. I have attended several of the Nonprofit Partnership Day Seminars and I look forward to the content each year. With changes in policy and technology trends, it is also nice to have access to learning opportunities throughout the year. It is really nice to have a centralized organization to assist with our varying needs. Thank you!
MAUREEN RIZZO
Director of Development – Brevillier Village
Each of the (many) trainings that I have attended through The Nonprofit Partnership over the past… years has provided a valuable resource for professional development opportunity for staff and Board Members to the overall benefit of our organization [the Foundation for Sustainable Forests]. NPP trainings are focused, relevant and on-point for the needs of a small non-profit organization such as ours.
ANNIE SOCCI, PhD
Executive Director – The Foundation for Sustainable Forests
What Our Client Say
The Nonprofit Partnership is the premier resource for nonprofits in our area. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible. The online resources & educational sessions are informative and provide help conveniently. Whether you're starting out in the nonprofit sector, or have been working for decades, the NPP helps keep you up to date & relevant.
LEEANN KRAHE, CTRS
Director of Activities & Volunteer Services
Pleasant Ridge Manor & The Friends Forever Volunteers
With so many non-profits in Erie County, it is great to have resources and collaboration available through the Erie Non-Profit Partnership. I have attended several of the Nonprofit Partnership Day Seminars and I look forward to the content each year. With changes in policy and technology trends, it is also nice to have access to learning opportunities throughout the year. It is really nice to have a centralized organization to assist with our varying needs. Thank you!
MAUREEN RIZZO
Director of Development – Brevillier Village
Each of the (many) trainings that I have attended through The Nonprofit Partnership over the past… years has provided a valuable resource for professional development opportunity for staff and Board Members to the overall benefit of our organization [the Foundation for Sustainable Forests]. NPP trainings are focused, relevant and on-point for the needs of a small non-profit organization such as ours.
ANNIE SOCCI, PhD
Executive Director – The Foundation for Sustainable Forests