On Thursday, October 9th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Cohen Pavilion at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach.

Nominations in 12+ categories will open to the public on June 16, 2025. They close at 5:00 PM sharp on July 31st.

Nominations are open to the public. Anyone may nominate an organization or an individual for an award. All nominees will be announced and honored. We kindly ask that you notify the person or organization before you nominate them to make sure they can attend the celebration.

Nominations are evaluated by an impartial panel of 40+ leaders from the business and philanthropic communities. Complete transparency regarding the judging process is critically important to the Hats Off Nonprofit Awards committee. Strategic measures are taken to ensure the highest degree of integrity, including keeping the names of the judges confidential, so there is no opportunity to lobby for an individual or organization. We are confident in the nomination and judging process and appreciate the professionalism of our judges.

Judges are looking for applications that are a good fit with the award category. They want a compelling story and examples that illustrate how the nominee is making a difference in the community.

No. Although there will be "honorees", Hats Off is about honoring all nominees and celebrating the Palm Beach County nonprofit community. The anticipation is part of the experience! Please join us!

Unfortunately, no. We work hard to keep the ticket price reasonable, and we hope you will purchase a ticket and enjoy the celebration! 

Honorees will be announced live at the Hats Off Nonprofit Awards. Honorees will be kept secret up until that point.

Yes. Nominations are not, though, weighted by the number of submissions either in a particular category or overall. Each submission is scored individually.

No. Nominations are open to the public. Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements listed in any category can be nominated.

Nominations are open to the public. Anyone may nominate an organization or an individual who meets the eligibility requirements listed on any category.

Yes.

Yes. Please see eligibility requirements for each category, but yes, a nominator is not limited in the number of nominations they may submit.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS
The Community Collaborators Award honors the partnership of multiple organizations, including at least one nonprofit, working towards a shared objective. Eligible nominees include nonprofits, businesses, and individuals whose collaborative efforts have significantly impacted the Palm Beach County community. This award celebrates the power of unity, emphasizing that by combining resources and strengths, remarkable achievements are possible. Nominees are evaluated on how they defined roles, allocated resources, communicated efficiently, and implemented accountability processes to achieve meaningful results.

COMMUNITY HERO OF THE YEAR
This special award was created to honor a community leader for their extraordinary service during the year. This person demonstrates a passionate commitment to the health and the wellbeing of the community, and their work inspires others to hope and act. Nominees must work or volunteer at a nonprofit organization serving the Palm Beach community, or serve as a first responder, medical professional, elected official or another civil servant.

NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
This award honors a current nonprofit staff leader whose distinguished achievements have resulted in significant progress toward improving a community issue. They must work on behalf of a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose programs serve the Palm Beach County community. Recognized by peers as a leader in the sector, this person demonstrates excellence in leadership and management, and inspires others to achieve meaningful, measurable, and sustainable results.

NONPROFIT INNOVATION
Recognizes creative and nontraditional approaches to solving community challenges. This award is intended to honor true innovation in the work of a nonprofit and is NOT intended to recognize overall organizational achievements. The organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) whose programs serve the Palm Beach County community. Nominated nonprofit innovations should:
• Bring creative solutions to community challenges
• Employ a variety of strategies in developing these solutions and services

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual who has made a positive and notable difference during their career in the nonprofit or public sector in Palm Beach County. Through their actions and influence, they have created positive change in our community. They are recognized by their peers as a leader and role model. Individuals will be only honored once with this award.

NONPROFIT MVP OF THE YEAR
This award honors an outstanding nonprofit team member. This nominee is a behind-the-scenes administrative person, a direct service provider or an intern who went above and beyond the expectation of duties for a nonprofit this year. This person is a valuable team player, and they prioritize their team over their success. Nominees in this category are not eligible for the Nonprofit Executive, Professional or Volunteer of the Year categories.

NONPROFIT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
This award honors the nonprofit Professional whose work has made significant impact benefiting the local community. This category includes non-CEO C-suite executives, VPs, Directors, and Management level staff whose work impacts Palm Beach County communities in a meaningful way. Recognized by peers as an outstanding steward of the mission, this person demonstrates innovative approaches to addressing community issues and demonstrates ongoing collaboration in the nonprofit or public sector.

NONPROFIT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
This award honors the program volunteer or board member who has shown outstanding dedication to a nonprofit or multiple nonprofit organizations whose program(s) serve the Palm Beach County community. Active volunteerism can be ongoing or linked to a specific project or cause. For this award, the gifts of talent and time are weighed more heavily than treasure.

Nonprofit Of the Year Impact Awards

All nominees must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose program(s) serves the Palm Beach County community. Recognized by peers and the community as a leader in the sector, this organization demonstrates exceptional qualities skills and achievements in leadership and management, and inspires others to achieve meaningful, measurable, and sustainable results.

ARTS AND CULTURE IMPACT AWARD
This award honors a current nonprofit with a mission and services dedicated to enriching communities by promoting and supporting artistic and cultural activities. These services can include Historical and Preservation Programs, Public Arts Programs, Performing Arts, Artist Support and Development. These services aim to foster a vibrant cultural landscape, support artistic expression, and ensure that everyone has access to the enriching experiences that arts and culture provide.

EDUCATION IMPACT AWARD
This award honors a current nonprofit with a mission and services dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering a supportive environment for families. By providing essential resources and guidance, the nonprofit plays a crucial role in empowering families and promoting educational success within the community. These services can include: Financial Assistance and Coaching, Youth and Recreation Activities, Educational Scholarships and Grants, After-care and Homework Assistance, Literacy Programs, Skill and Work Training. These services aim to create a supportive environment where students and their families can thrive, overcoming challenges and reaching their full potential.

ENVIRONMENTAL & ANIMAL WELFARE IMPACT AWARD
This award honors a current nonprofit with a mission and services dedicated to protecting natural resources and ensuring the welfare of animals. These services can include: Conservation and Preservation, Environmental Education, Pollution Control and Waste Management, Climate Change Mitigation, Water and Air Quality Programs, Animal Rescue and Shelter, Wildlife Protection, Veterinary Services, Animal Advocacy and Education. These services aim to create a healthier planet and ensure the well-being of all its inhabitants by addressing both environmental and animal welfare issues.

FAMILY SERVICES IMPACT AWARD
This award honors a current nonprofit with a mission and services dedicated to programs and support aimed at strengthening and assisting families. These services can include: Child Welfare Services, Hunger and Homeless Support, Domestic Violence Support, Parenting Support and Education. These services aim to create a supportive environment where families can thrive and overcome various challenges.

HEALTH & WELLNESS IMPACT AWARD
This award honors a current nonprofit with a mission and services dedicated to programs and support aimed at improving the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities. These services can include: Primary and Preventive Care, Mental Health Services, Chronic Disease Management, Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention, Emergency and Disaster Relief, Veteran Services.

Nominees must work or volunteer on behalf of a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose program(s) serves the Palm Beach County community. Winners in these categories have best contributed to the long-term impact of the nonprofit that he or she serves and whose leadership exhibits best practices in nonprofit governance. For Volunteer of the Year, active volunteerism can be ongoing or linked to a specific single project or cause.

Nonprofit Innovation Award:
The nominee should be an individual or organization who has demonstrated a creative or non-traditional approach to solving a community challenge. This award is intended to honor true innovation in the work of a nonprofit and is not intended to recognize overall organizational achievements.

Nonprofit Lifetime Achievement:
The nominee should be an individual who has made a positive and notable difference during their career in the nonprofit or public sector in Palm Beach County and whose actions and influence have created positive change. An individual will only receive this award once, past Honorees are not eligible. 

Nonprofit of the Year:
Nonprofits of all sizes and services operating in Palm Beach County are eligible. Nonprofits should apply to the Impact Category that best describes their services to the community.

Nonprofit Executive, Professional, MVP, and/or Volunteer of the Year:
Nominees in any of these four categories are not eligible in the other three of the four categories. However, they may be eligible for any of the categories beyond these four. These awards are intended to honor an individual, who depending on their role/title is recognized for their contributions in their organization or in the greater community.

Community Collaborators:
Nominees in this category should include those who have a demonstrated partnership of 2 or more organizations to achieve a common goal to address a problem that could not have been solved as effectively by a single organization. Nonprofit organizations, individuals, and other entities whose combined efforts have had a significant impact on our community are eligible. Examples include but are not limited to a for-profit business collaborating with one or more nonprofit organizations on a common goal; two or more organizations collaborating on a single project or goal; or one or more organizations collaborating with an elected official on a specific project or goal.

People’s Choice Live Award
Organizations who have been nominated in the Nonprofit of the Year category are automatically entered to win the People's Choice Award. The winner will be chosen "live" at the event via ballot voting by event attendees. Ballots will be distributed at the door and must be received by 6:15 PM.

Yes, if an organization has a fiscal sponsor, is a chapter member, or works under a "parent organization", that organization must also be listed on the Nomination Form. Example: Susie's Nonprofit, A Chapter of the Susy Q National Nonprofit Org. We also prefer the EIN of the organization who holds the 501(c)3 Determination Award (letter). 

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