Celebrating the Resilience and Power of Nonprofits
In honor of National Nonprofit Day, we’re spotlighting seven Anthem Award-winning collectives that are inspiring action.
Nonprofits are a driving force in the fight to create a better world. The unique challenges of 2025 are creating a difficult landscape to operate. Even still, teams nationwide are finding innovative routes to create impact—proving purpose can outlast tumult.
To mark National Nonprofit Day on August 17th, we’ve curated seven of the most transformative nonprofit teams who are inspiring us at The Anthem Awards.
Social impact today stands on a strong foundation of visionary change-makers. These seven organizations embody the grit and legacy of community care. Below, explore the teams that are tirelessly fighting for better futures.
At The Anthem Awards, we are committed to supporting vital public institutions like PBS, NPR, the Smithsonian and more. We are proud to recognize their work as core pillars of independent journalism and cultural preservation. It’s our belief that protecting our shared history and culture transcends administrations. Their work ensures knowledge remains accessible to all, vital in the timeless mission to unite people across differences.
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
The NMAAHC created a month-long showcase of Black art, to fuel dialogue on racial justice through creative expression during last year’s Black History Month. The “Art as a Platform for Social Justice” initiative included a digital toolkit to explore systemic racism through the lens of revered Black poets, writers, visual artists and dancers.
NPR
With in-depth reporting and authentic narratives, NPR is a known and beloved journalistic force. In honor of Latin Heritage Month, they hosted an “El Tiny” takeover on Tiny Desk to celebrate music from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Sesame Workshop
Harnessing beloved characters, Sesame Workshop helps children worldwide navigate tough topics. Elmo’s “Just Checking In” tweet went viral instantly last year for creating a space to express frustrations, while also encouraging emotional well-being.
World Central Kitchen
@wckitchen Palestinians have run out of fuel to use for cooking, so many people have turned to using makeshift stoves that burn wood they can find. Aid organizations are not allowed to include typical fuel for stoves on our trucks into Gaza, so WCK teams worked with engineers and local manufacturers to design a pellet stove we can distribute instead. The stove uses wooden pellets for clean & efficient cooking to help families make hot meals for themselves and their communities. #ChefsForThePeople #WCK #WorldCentralKitchen #nonprofit #humanitarianaid #food
Founded by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen responds to disasters with the simple but powerful act of a hot meal. Their response in Gaza needed to work around the block on cooking gas, leading them to create a stove that uses wood as fuel in an innovative loophole.
Human Rights Watch
This global team works at the frontlines of justice, defending human rights through investigation and advocacy. To encourage the safety of LGBTQIA+ people online as anti-Queer ideologies spike, they developed a campaign calling on platforms to create protections against bigotry.
GirlEffect
Leveraging media and community, Girl Effect empowers young girls in their health, education, and economic futures. Their team crafted WAZZII, a dedicated space for Kenyan youth to have stigma-free conversations about sex.
BackBlack
BackBlack is platform for Black creators and entrepreneurs dedicated to building economic power and cultural visibility through storytelling.
You still have time to honor your advocacy at the 5th Annual Anthem Awards! Enter your work at entries.anthemawards.com by the Extended Deadline on Friday, September 19th. This is your last chance to enter before we close entries.
