The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Nonprofit Mission Awards Selection Committee are proud to announce the 2026 Mission Award finalists. It is now up to MCN members to help decide which finalists will be honored as a Mission Award recipient in the categories of Advocacy, Anti-Racism, and Innovation.

Voting is available to staff, board members, and volunteers of MCN’s member organizations (one vote per category, per individual), and will close Sunday, July 12 at 11:59 p.m.

Question Title

* 1. Please enter the name of your organization. (Note: Your organization must be a member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.)

Category: Advocacy

This award recognizes advocacy as one of the most effective and unique roles of nonprofit organizations. Nominated organizations should:
  • Implement an effective advocacy strategy;
  • Demonstrate success in its advocacy efforts; and
  • Have a significant impact on the organization’s constituency.

Question Title

* 2. Choose the organization that you think best meets the criteria for the 2024 Nonprofit Mission Award for Advocacy. Read Advocacy Finalist Profiles

Category: Anti-Racism Initiative

The Anti-Racism Initiative Award recognizes an organization that actively engages audiences in anti-racism activities. Nominated organizations should:
  • Work to eliminate prejudice and racism in society;
  • Demonstrate a commitment to pluralism and inclusively; and
  • Develop unique and thought-provoking strategies to combat racism.

Question Title

* 3. Choose the organization that you think best meets the criteria for the 204 Nonprofit Mission Award for Anti-Racism. Read Anti-Racism Finalist Profiles

Category: Innovation

This award recognizes creative applications and nontraditional approaches to solving community challenges. Nominated nonprofit innovations should:
  • Bring solutions to community challenges by using current solutions or strategies in new and creative ways or by bringing new solutions to a common problem;
  • Focus on doing things differently, rather than just doing things better;
  • Take new ideas and implements them successfully with measurable outcomes;
  • Employ a variety of strategies in developing these solutions; and
  • Collaborate with other nonprofit organizations, businesses and governmental agencies in their efforts.
This award is intended to honor true innovation in the work of a nonprofit. This award is not intended to recognize overall organizational achievements.

Question Title

* 4. Choose the organization that you think best meets the criteria for the 2024 Nonprofit Mission Award for Innovation. Read Innovation Finalist Profiles

T