2023 Nonprofit Connect Awards Celebration

The Nonprofit Connect Awards Celebration

The Nonprofit Connect Awards Celebration honors individuals and organizations for their outstanding commitment to positive impact in Kansas City. Now in its 39th year, the Awards Celebration has honored over 300 nonprofit professionals and organizations and remains the oldest and largest celebration of nonprofit excellence in Kansas City. We hope you will join us as we celebrate and hear the stories of the amazing organizations and individuals in the nonprofit sector.

Click here for a full list of sponsorship opportunities and benefits.

2023 Nominations and Judging

Nominations and Judge applications for the 2023 Awards Celebration are closed!

Nonprofit Connect is proud to celebrate the nonprofit professionals and organizations who perform tremendous acts of service in our community, as well as the individuals and entities who advocate for them. Honorees for the Awards Celebration will be announced in March.

The categories for the 2023 Awards Celebration are:

Persevering Advocate
-Presented to an individual*.
-Demonstrated an outstanding commitment to champion a nonprofit organization.
-Exhibited support for the organization through personal leadership and service.
* Note: Designation of primary role (i.e. executive director, nonprofit staff member, board member, volunteer) will be requested on the nomination form. We welcome and encourage nominations of individuals in ANY role.

Equity In Action
-Presented to a nonprofit organization
-Exhibits an outstanding commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
-Continues to foster an inclusive culture.

Nonprofit Catalyst
-Presented to two nonprofit professionals (one executive, one staff member).
-Demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their organization.
-Used exceptional leadership and / or teamwork skills to find solutions to relevant issues.

Stronger Together
-Presented to a nonprofit organization and another entity (i.e. business, foundation, government agency or nonprofit).
-Achieved greater results in service to the community through combined resources than one entity could have achieved on its own.

Excellence In Impact
-Presented to two nonprofit organizations (one large, one small).
-Found creative and inclusive solutions to expand their programs or provide additional services to their community.
-Demonstrated resourcefulness and determination to continue mission fulfillment.

2023 Honorees

Art Fillmore
Persevering Advocate

Curtis Wright
Nonprofit Catalyst
Professional

Don Goldman
Nonprofit Catalyst
Executive

Kansas City Community Bail Fund
Equity In Action

GEHA & YMCA of Greater Kansas City with The Hunt Family Foundation / Kansas City Chiefs and Unified Government of Wyandotte County & Kansas City, KS Parks and Recreation
Stronger Together

WeCode KC
Excellence in Impact
Small Division

Amethyst Place
Excellence in Impact
Medium Division

Kauffman Scholars
Excellence in Impact
Large Division