About the .ORG Impact Awards:
The .ORG Impact Awards is an annual global awards programme hosted by Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit behind the .ORG domain. Now in its eighth year, the awards celebrate organisations and individuals using .ORG domains to drive meaningful social change. In 2025, nearly 3,000 applicants from over 120 countries submitted nominations, and to date PIR has awarded $865,000 for transformative work globally.
The 2025 .ORG of the Year winner was Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises (DRC) — demonstrating that Global South organisations are strong competitors.
Prizes:
Category Winners (8 categories): $10,000 each — unrestricted, use however you choose.
- .ORG of the Year: $50,000 total — selected from the 8 category winners.
- All Finalists: $2,500 each — even being shortlisted has financial value.
- All prizes are donation awards — flexible use to advance your mission.
- Additionally: global visibility, media coverage, profile boost for donations, partnerships, talent, and audience reach.
Eight Award Categories:
- Health and Healing: Organisations advancing health and well-being, ensuring access to care, resources, and support.
- Rising Star: Individuals under 30 (by December 31, 2026) demonstrating leadership, innovation, and commitment to positive change. Individuals under 18 may be nominated — parent/guardian consent required if selected as finalist.
- .ORG of the Year: Selected from category winners — outstanding achievement, results, and contributions to sector, community, or society at large. Worth $50,000.
4–8. Additional categories covering education, environment, community impact, innovation, and social change — check the nomination portal for the full 2026 category list and descriptions.
Eligibility:
- Must have a registered .ORG domain: The awards celebrate the .ORG community — having a .ORG domain is the fundamental eligibility requirement.
- Organisations: Must use a .ORG domain and demonstrate meaningful social impact.
- Individuals: Eligible for the Rising Star category (under 30). Applicants must be 18+ to submit a nomination (minors can be nominated by others). Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. Employees of PIR and affiliated entities (and immediate family) are not eligible.
Nepal Eligibility:
Nepal organisations with .ORG domains are fully eligible — there are no geographic restrictions. The awards are genuinely global (120+ countries in 2025). Nepal NGOs, INGOs, community organisations, and social enterprises with .ORG websites should consider nominating.
Nepal organisations that could nominate:
- Any Nepal NGO with a .ORG website — health, education, environment, human rights, community development.
- Young Nepal changemakers (under 30) for the Rising Star category. Nepal organisations with demonstrated community impact and results.
Important: Your domain must be .ORG specifically. Domains like .org.np, .com, .net, or country-code domains may not qualify. Check your domain before applying.
Application Process:
- Visit https://orgimpact.awardsplatform.com/ and create an account.
- Select the appropriate award category.
- Complete the nomination form describing your organisation's/individual's impact.
- Submit by May 27, 2026.
- All submissions reviewed and scored by a panel of judges.
- Finalists announced August 11, 2026.
- Winners announced October 6, 2026.
KEY DETAILS
- Award: .ORG Impact Awards 2026 (8th Annual)
- Host: Public Interest Registry (PIR)
- DEADLINE: May 27, 2026
- Finalists: August 11, 2026
- Winners: October 6, 2026
- NOMINATE: https://orgimpact.awardsplatform.com/
- Self-nomination accepted
- PRIZES:
— Category Winners: $10,000 each (8 categories)
— .ORG of the YEAR: $50,000 (from category winners)
— ALL Finalists: $2,500 each
— UNRESTRICTED — use however you choose
— Plus: global VISIBILITY, media, partnerships
- KEY REQUIREMENT: Must have a .ORG DOMAIN
— yourorg.ORG → Eligible
— yourorg.org.np / .com / .net → May NOT qualify
— Check your domain BEFORE applying
- NEPAL: FULLY ELIGIBLE
— Global programme — 120+ countries
— No geographic restrictions
— 2025 winner was from DRC (Global South) — Nepal orgs CAN win
- EIGHT CATEGORIES:
— HEALTH and Healing
— RISING STAR (individuals under 30)
— .ORG of the YEAR ($50K)
— + 5 additional categories (check portal for full list)
- FOR:
— Organisations with .ORG domains
— Individuals under 30 (Rising Star)
— Self-nominations accepted
— Must be 18+ to submit (minors can be nominated by others)
— PIR employees/family
- WHY APPLY — EVEN IF YOU DON'T WIN:
— $2,500 for FINALISTS — shortlisting has value
— GLOBAL VISIBILITY across 120+ countries
— MEDIA COVERAGE and profile boost
— Drives DONATIONS, partnerships, talent
— PRESTIGIOUS — 300+ organisations recognised since inception
— $865,000 TOTAL awarded to date
— 2025 winner = Global South org — not US/Europe dominated
- RISING STAR (under 30) — Nepal youth:
— Individual category — not for organisations
— Under 30 by December 31, 2026
— Demonstrating LEADERSHIP, innovation, commitment
— Minors can be nominated (parent consent if finalist)
— Perfect for young Nepal CHANGEMAKERS
- IMPORTANT NOTES:
— Deadline — May 27
— .ORG DOMAIN is non-negotiable — check yours first
— SELF-NOMINATE — don't wait for someone else to nominate you
— 3,000 APPLICANTS from 120+ countries — competitive but accessible
— SIMPLE nomination process — online portal
— UNRESTRICTED prize money — maximum flexibility
— .ORG of the Year = $50,000 — life-changing for Nepal NGOs
— Even FINALIST status ($2,500) boosts credibility significantly
— Consider nominating in MULTIPLE categories if eligible
— STRONG APPLICATION = clear impact evidence, measurable results, compelling story
- CONTACT:
https://orgimpact.awardsplatform.com/
https://pir.org/for-orgs/org-impact-awards/
