

What Are the Philanthropy Awards?
- The Philanthropy Awards are the Make It Better Foundation’s keystone program — think Academy Awards for nonprofits.
- Each year, we identify, elevate, and amplify the most effective nonprofits across multiple categories.
What Do Winners Receive?
- In 2025, Winning nonprofits will receive an award package valued at over $250,000.
- Runners-Up will receive award packages valued at over $100,000.
- All honorees will be celebrated at our Philanthropy Awards Ceremony on November 12, in honor of National Philanthropy Day.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for a 2025 Philanthropy Award, nonprofits must have submitted at least one You Said It article that has been accepted for publication by Better Magazine.
How Are Winners Selected?
- Winners and Runners-Up are selected by an Academy of Judges, which includes:
- Philanthropy experts
- Sponsors
- Make It Better Foundation board members
- Past winners
- MIBF nonprofit partners who have received a $25,000 Grant + Content Collaboration Campaign in the past two years
Judging Criteria: A Venture Philanthropy Lens
Judges evaluate nonprofits based on five key areas:
- Effectiveness: Number of people served, outcomes achieved, long-term impact, and ability to break cycles of dependency
- Efficiency: Cost-effectiveness and collaboration with others
- Leadership: Board engagement, diversity, adherence to mission, and ability to take strategic risks for better outcomes
- Scalability: Capacity to grow programs and funding (independent of government reliance), and potential to replicate regionally
- Excellence: Highest standards of service, integrity, and transparency
Why Do the Philanthropy Awards Matter?
- The Philanthropy Awards are designed to amplify impact, not just recognize it.
- Honorees gain national visibility, new donors, increased sponsorship, volunteer support, and lasting momentum.
- Our mission is to make it easier for generous audiences to discover and support nonprofits that deliver real, lasting results.
- The result? Stronger communities and a better world — one story, one organization at a time.
Want your nonprofit to be considered in the future?
- Learn how to contribute a You Said It article and become part of the Make It Better Foundation’s funding and storytelling network by reading about it here.
Want to Get Involved?
- Interested in supporting the awards as a Sponsor, Judge, or Media Partner? Please contact: [email protected]
Attn: Mindy Fauntleroy, President or Susan B. Noyes, Founder
Meet Past Winners
We are proud to honor the inspiring, innovative nonprofits who have received this award — and the dedicated teams behind them. Read their stories and more on Better.net
Our Media Partners showcase and celebrate the winners.
Email [email protected] for more information.


UCAN

READI Chicago

Bay Area: Amazon Watch

Bay Area: Assistance League of Diablo Valley

Bay Area: Clinic by the Bay

Chicago: Breakthrough

Chicago: Chicago Fire Foundation

Chicago: The Night Ministry

Keshet

Selah Freedom

The People’s Music School

Accion

Mercy Housing Lakefront
