Call for Applications: Elevate Prize for social impact Leaders ($300,000 in unrestricted funds awarded)

Ednah Carrick May 4, 2026

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Closing Date: 8 May 2026

Call for Applications: Elevate Prize for social impact Leaders ($300,000 in unrestricted funds awarded)

Overview

The Elevate Prize recognizes bold social impact LEADERS at a pivotal moment in their work, ready to expand their visibility and deepen their impact.

Far more than a one-time award, it is a tailored two-year program and powerful global community where ambitious ideas gain the visibility needed to grow, scale, and inspire broader change.

What Winners Receive

Community

Community is at the heart of everything Elevate does. Starting on day one and extending far beyond the program into its alumni network, Elevate builds intentional spaces for connection, renewal and lasting relationships, including its annual Winners’ Retreat—because real impact is never a solo act.

Funding

Elevate believes in trust-based, unrestricted funding that invests in both the work and the leader behind it. Each winner receives $300,000 in unrestricted funds: $250,000 to their organization and $50,000 directly to the individual, recognizing the often unseen personal costs of leading meaningful change.

Tailored Support

Over the two years, support is always tailored to each winner’s needs and deployed on priority projects—no two projects are ever the same. Each winner is supported by a dedicated team who are thought partners in the truest sense, helping to unlock what’s possible and bring their biggest ideas to life

Eligibility

Elevate is looking for dynamic and visionary leaders who are building bold solutions and are ready to take their ideas to the global stage.

The Prize winners are:

Ready to expand their visibility and influence;
Driving meaningful, transformative impact while tackling the systems behind the problems they address;
Demonstrating traction and momentum with a clear vision for what comes next;
Pursuing systemic and/or cultural change through advocacy, policy, influence, or direct service;
Willing and able to engage deeply in a two-year partnership and global community.

You’re Eligible if:

At least 18 years old
Serve as Executive Director, CEO, Founder or equivalent
Your organization is a registered nonprofit in good standing and able to receive philanthropic funds (U.S. 501(c)(3) or international equivalent
Your organization has the operational and financial capacity to manage unrestricted funding and participate fully in a two-year program.
Ideally with annual budgets between $2M and $10M (though organizations outside this range may be considered based on readiness and opportunity for impact.)

Selection Process and Timeline

Elevate selects leaders whose work demonstrates meaningful impact, bold vision, and the potential to influence systems and culture at scale.

Selection reflects both Prize program fit and potential. In addition to organizational readiness, operational capacity, and the time commitment required, Elevate looks for leaders who can move people and change systems. Elevate assess both demonstrated narrative strength and the potential to grow narrative power as a key part of Elevate’s support.

Nominations are evaluated based on factors including impact, leadership, momentum, and narrative power.

Timeline

The Elevate Prize follows a multi-stage selection process designed to identify leaders whose work is driving meaningful impact and ready for the next stage of growth. While exact timing may shift slightly each year, the process generally follows the rhythm outlined below.