Social Sector Hero of the Year Award

Apply today for your chance to win a prize package valued at over $5,000 USD!

The application window for our 2026 Award is now closed.

Is your organization or an organization you know doing an exceptional job focused on measurable impact? Are you doing an exemplary job in at least one of the eight core strategies laid out in the book, Social Sector Hero: How Government and Philanthropy Can Fund for Impact? Download it for free here.

Submit your application today for the Social Sector Hero of the Year award! Submissions are due by December 2nd, 2025.

The winning organization will receive two Results-Based Accountability Certification courses, an invitation to speak on the Turning Curves Podcast, and recognition on the Clear Impact website and social media! This brings the total prize value to over $5,000 USD!

Submit your application below. If you would like to nominate another organization to apply, please fill out this nomination form, and we will send them an invitation to apply.

You can read more about the eight core strategies by downloading Social Sector Hero or watching the videos below.

About the Social Sector Hero of the Year Award

About the Social Sector Hero of the Year Award:

The Social Sector Hero of the Year Award, presented by Clear Impact, recognizes exceptional organizations creating measurable impact in their communities. Inspired by the eight core strategies outlined in Social Sector Hero: How Government and Philanthropy Can Fund for Impact by Adam Luecking, this prestigious award highlights organizations that embody the values of data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, shared accountability, and transparency. The award includes professional development and media spotlights designed to help the winner maximize their impact.

The application window for our 2026 Award is now closed. Winner will be announced December 10th, 2025.

Award FAQ

Who can apply?

Any public or social sector organization is invited to apply. This includes government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, nonprofit collaboratives, and networks. This contest is international — any eligible organization from anywhere in the world is invited to apply. Organizations featured in Social Sector Hero are not eligible to apply at this time.

Can I apply/win as an individual person?

While we recognize that organizations are made up of many individual Social Sector Heroes, only agencies or organizations are eligible to be recognized for the Social Sector Hero of the Year Award. Prizes will be awarded to the entire organization rather than individual employees. It is up to the winning organization’s decision-making team to decide how to spend or donate their winnings.

Can Clear Impact customers apply?

Yes. Any public or social sector organization is invited to apply, whether or not it is a current, past, or future customer of Clear Impact. We are focused on fairness and recognizing the most compelling applicants. Being a customer of Clear Impact does not increase the odds of winning the Social Sector Hero of the Year award.

What do I win?

One winner will receive all of the following, with the total prize value exceeding $5,000 USD:

Two Results-Based Accountability Professional Certification courses
Invitation to speak on the Turning Curves Podcast
Recognition on the Clear Impact website, newsletter, and social media

Can I donate all or a portion of my prize to another organization?

Yes, you may choose to keep each prize for yourself or donate all (or a portion) to another organization. If you are the winner and wish to donate any portion of your prize to another organization, please indicate this in your award application.

What are the eight core strategies?

The eight core Social Sector Hero strategies include:

Align with a Common Purpose
Sustain Alignment Throughout the Journey
Practice “Less is More”
Disaggregate Data
Practice Consistency AND Flexibility
Never Report Data Without the Story
Support Effective Dialogue
Report Data Publicly

Learn more about each strategy in a free download of Social Sector Hero here.

How do I fill out the form if I'm nominating a different organization?

There are two different forms depending on your goal. If you want to apply for your own organization, please fill out this form. If you want to nominate another organization to apply, please fill out this form. For the latter option, we will send your nominee an invitation to apply via email.

Do I have to read Social Sector Hero to apply?

No, you don’t have to read Social Sector Hero to apply or be eligible to win this award. However, your application will be more compelling if you have a deeper understanding of the eight core strategies. At the very least, we strongly suggest reading the chapter corresponding to the core strategy you’re seeking recognition for (and skimming the rest). You can download the book for free and watch the quick chapter summary videos below. If you do choose to read the full book, we promise it is a fast and entertaining read! We know you’ll love the personal anecdotes and Social Sector Hero Spotlight stories!