CATALYST: an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action. Something which incites activity. SYN: agitator, impetus, driver.
What is the Catalyst Award?
NAM strengthens the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofit organizations to enrich the quality of community life throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. By connecting organizations with information, education, and advocacy, we help members focus their energy on the people and communities they serve. The Catalyst Award recognizes organizations that inspire and drive excellence in the nonprofit sector. Think...
NAM strengthens the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofit organizations to enrich the quality of community life throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. By connecting organizations with information, education, and advocacy, we help members focus their energy on the people and communities they serve. The Catalyst Award recognizes organizations that inspire and drive excellence in the nonprofit sector. Think...
- What organizations inspire and support others to do and be better?
- What organizations are committed to ongoing excellence?
- What organizations have found innovative approaches to enhance their operations?
- Who has found a new solution to an old problem?
Nominate up to three (3) organizations who you think meet the definition of a catalyst!
The 2026 Summit theme is Connection, Courage, Impact. Nonprofits have always played a vital role in providing life-saving services and enriching programs for the whole community, not only filling in the gaps where business and government fall short but going above and beyond to move us toward the society we want to live in. Particularly at this challenging time of shifting policies, funding, and priorities, uplifting the essential nature of our nonprofits and celebrating how nonprofit contribute to the vibrancy of our communities is parament. We hope you will join us!
The Catalyst Award winner and all nominees will be recognized at the Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands, on November 12, 2026. See event information here.
Selection Criteria:
The 2026 Summit theme is Connection, Courage, Impact. Nonprofits have always played a vital role in providing life-saving services and enriching programs for the whole community, not only filling in the gaps where business and government fall short but going above and beyond to move us toward the society we want to live in. Particularly at this challenging time of shifting policies, funding, and priorities, uplifting the essential nature of our nonprofits and celebrating how nonprofit contribute to the vibrancy of our communities is parament. We hope you will join us!
The Catalyst Award winner and all nominees will be recognized at the Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands, on November 12, 2026. See event information here.
Selection Criteria:
- Nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations are eligible to receive the Catalyst Award. Individuals are not eligible.
- Self-nominations from within the organization are accepted and encouraged.
- Nominees must be based in Nebraska or Western Iowa.
- Nominees do not need to be a NAM member to be considered.
- Nominees must use the Guidelines and Principles for Nonprofit Excellence.
Recent Past Awardees
- 2025 - CIRA - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement
- 2024 - RISE
- 2023 - Inclusive Communities
- 2022 - Girls Inc. of Omaha
- 2021 - Kids Can Community Center
- 2020 - Food Bank for the Heartland
- 2019 - I Be Black Girl
- 2018 - BJ Reed/UNO
- 2017 - Seventy-Five North
- 2016 - Omaha Health Kids Alliance
- 2015 - Youth Emergency Services
Nominations will be collected until August 14, 2026.
Extensions will not be granted.
Selection Process:
Catalyst Award winners are selected by the Nonprofit Executive Institute & Rising Leaders Institute Leadership Teams, a group of volunteers who are leaders in the nonprofit sector. The Committee bases its decision exclusively on the written narrative you provide. Supplemental materials will neither be considered nor returned. For multiple nominations, please complete this form again.
Extensions will not be granted.
Selection Process:
Catalyst Award winners are selected by the Nonprofit Executive Institute & Rising Leaders Institute Leadership Teams, a group of volunteers who are leaders in the nonprofit sector. The Committee bases its decision exclusively on the written narrative you provide. Supplemental materials will neither be considered nor returned. For multiple nominations, please complete this form again.