FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/29/2025
[Rockville, MD] — January 29, 2025: Clear Impact is thrilled to announce Canadian-based charity Furniture Bank as the winner of its inaugural Social Sector Hero of the Year Award. This prestigious honor recognizes social sector organizations that demonstrate exceptional measurable impact, transparency, and a commitment to continuous improvement in their communities.
As the 2025 Social Sector Hero, Furniture Bank will receive a $20,000 prize package, which includes:
- $5,000 USD for their organization or a charity of their choice.
- One year of Clear Impact Suite, a software system designed to measure, manage, and report organizational impact.
- Three Results-Based Accountability (RBA) Certification courses to enhance their team’s skills in achieving measurable outcomes.
- A guest appearance on Clear Impact’s Turning Curves Podcast to share their story and inspire others in the sector.
Furniture Bank stood out among more than 50 applicants, meeting and exceeding the award’s rigorous criteria:
- Community Support: Furniture Bank received multiple nominations, the only applicant to do so, reflecting the trust and respect it has earned in its community.
- Demonstrable Measurable Results: The organization’s data clearly illustrates the transformative outcomes of its programs.
- Dedication to Continuous Improvement: Furniture Bank consistently uses data to refine its strategies, ensuring sustained success and growth.
- Effective Storytelling: Aligning with the Social Sector Hero strategy, “Never Report Data Without the Story,” Furniture Bank integrates impactful narratives with performance data to bring its mission to life.
- Positive Public Reputation: Its credibility and influence within the sector are widely recognized.
“Furniture Bank exemplifies what it means to be a Social Sector Hero,” said Adam Luecking, CEO of Clear Impact. “Their dedication to measurable impact, data transparency, and continuous improvement sets a benchmark for excellence in the social sector. We are proud to honor their remarkable achievements and look forward to supporting their continued success.”
Dan Kershaw, Executive Director of Furniture Bank, shared:
“Being named Social Sector Hero of the Year validates what we’ve known all along – furniture poverty is solvable when we combine heart with smart technology, social enterprise models, and measurable outcomes. With Clear Impact’s tools, we’ll transform more empty housing into dignified furnished homes across Canada.“
The Social Sector Hero of the Year Award reflects Clear Impact’s mission to empower organizations to achieve measurable impact through accountability, collaboration, and innovation. To learn more, visit SocialSectorHero.com/Award.
Recognizing Additional Honorees
In addition to Furniture Bank, Clear Impact proudly acknowledges eight domestic and seven international organizations as honorable mentions for their exceptional contributions to the social sector. Each honorable mention will receive a Results-Based Accountability Professional Certification course valued at $2,250:
Domestic Honorees:
- Queen Anne’s County Community Services Department (MD, USA)
- MIB Agents Osteosarcoma Alliance (VT, USA)
- United Way of Story County (IA, USA)
- Greater Cleveland Career Consortium (OH, USA)
- Piedmont Learning Center (MD, USA)
- County of Sonoma Human Services Department, Upstream Investments (CA, USA)
- AnMed (SC, USA)
- Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative (OK, USA)
International Honorees:
- Kechara Soup Kitchen Society (Malaysia)
- Anglicare Tasmania (Australia)
- Traso – Colectivo de Transformación Social (Colombia)
- One Billion Literates Foundation (India)
- Leb Bunt e.V. (Germany)
- Georges Malaika Foundation (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Alberta Blue Cross (Canada)
This program was made possible through the generous collaboration of Clear Impact’s Network and Media Partners, including Action 2 Outcomes, Common Approach to Impact Measurement, Institute for Educational Leadership, Inclusive Action for the City, Nonprofit Montgomery, PolicyLink, SETSI, Social Impact Compass, United Way of North Central Ohio, Government Technology Insider, and Future Healthcare Today.
About Clear Impact
Clear Impact helps government agencies, non-profits, communities, and foundations track the performance of their programs, measure the impact of their funding, and report on the progress of their missions to improve the lives of children, families, and communities worldwide. Clear Impact provides software, training, and services that empower organizations to turn data into actionable insights, improve transparency, and create lasting social change. Learn more at www.clearimpact.com.
About Furniture Bank
Furniture Bank is a registered charity and social enterprise dedicated to ending furniture poverty by redistributing gently-used furniture and housewares from community donors to individuals and families in need. Through its mission to provide comfort, dignity, and stability, Furniture Bank helps create furnished homes that enhance psychological and financial well-being. Revenues generated by its social enterprise furniture removal service fund its charitable activities, while its social employment programs break down barriers to meaningful work, offering training and sustainable careers. By empowering individuals and families, Furniture Bank transforms lives and fosters lasting change in the communities it serves. Learn more at furniturebank.org.
Media Contact:
Kara Barnes
Clear Impact
kara@clearimpact.com
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