The world of nonprofit communications puts a variety of unique pressures and challenges on the PR pros that inhabit this highly competitive space. With tight budgets and time constraints, these communicators put everything they have behind work that strives to enact positive change in the world. PR News recognized this esteemed group of PR professionals at its 2016 Nonprofit PR Awards ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. on March 15.
This year’s winners exhibited groundbreaking work supporting organizations that focus on some of today's most pressing issues, such as funding healthcare services, addressing food shortages, promoting education and empowering young women.
Advocacy Campaign and Lobbying Efforts
Winner: United Nations Foundation - Public Affairs Team
Honorable Mention:
- American Heart Association - Step Up to the Plate for School Meals
- APCO Worldwide - Protecting North Carolina Nonprofit Tax Exemption
- The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health - ACT!ON Mental Health
- Havas PR Global Collective - A Global Collaboration Wins the Day for Climate Science
- Illinois Policy Action - Chicago food-cart legalization
- National Association of Convenience Stores - NACS In Store
Branding/Re-Branding
Winner: Right Hat - A New Way of Thinking
Honorable Mention:
- Corporation for Public Broadcasting - American Graduate
- Right Hat - Growing Excellence
Corporate/Nonprofit Partnership
Winner: American Lung Association & CVS Health, Edelman - American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE
Honorable Mention:
- The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - KidSmartz
- Samsung Electronics Canada - Samsung Canada's The Look At Me Project
- U.S. Green Building Council - Green Apple Day of Service 2015
Digital PR and Marketing
Winner: Taco Bell Foundation - "Potential" Campaign
Honorable Mention:
- Consumer Technology Association - 2014 CTA Holiday Research Campaign
- United Nations Foundation
- Weber Shandwick on behalf of UNICEF - Real-Time Content Studio at the UN General Assembly
Event PR
Winner: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals - Champions for Children's Hospitals
Honorable Mention
- Girl Scouts of the USA - Girl Scouts Adds a ‘Byte’ to Its Iconic Cookie Program
- Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board - Home Away from Rome Campaign
External Publication or Report (online or print)
Winner: SHIFT Communications - The Power of Wonder: Celebrating Five Years with Wonderopolis
Honorable Mention:
- American Cleaning Institute - 2015 ACI Sustainability Report
- The Case Foundation - A Short Guide to Impact Investing
- The Garden Conservancy - Silver Anniversary Report
- National Disability Institute - 25@25
Fundraising
Winner: 92nd Street Y, United Nations Foundation, Coyne PR, Edelman, Fenton, FleishmanHillard, Havas PR North America, Sunshine Sachs, Turner 4d, Weber Shandwick - #GivingTuesday: The Day the World Gave Back
Honorable Mention:
- American Lung Association & Edelman - LUNG FORCE
- Johanniterhjälpen - Challenge Ebola
- Taco Bell Foundation - Raising Money for Teen Potential
Marketing
Winner: Taco Bell Foundation - "Potential" Campaign
Honorable Mention:
- American Lung Association & Edelman - LUNG FORCE
- American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery - WE ARE AESTHETICS
Media Relations
Winner: U.S. Green Building Council - Top 10 LEED States
Honorable Mention:
- American Lung Association & Edelman - LUNG FORCE
- Compassion International - Rebuilding Haiti
- Girl Scouts of the USA - Girl Scouts Adds a ‘Byte’ to Its Iconic Cookie Program
- Humane Society Silicon Valley - Eddie the Terrible
- United Nations Foundation - Public Affairs Team
PR on a Shoestring Budget
Winner: Girl Scouts of the USA - Girl Scouts Adds a ‘Byte’ to Its Iconic Cookie Program
Honorable Mention:
- Canadian Public Libraries for Fair Ebook Pricing - Fair Pricing for Libraries
- Havas PR North America - Huerta Scholarship: The First Hour for the First Americans
- Imprenta Communications Group - I Can Afford College
- Johanniterhjälpen - Challenge Ebola
- Lymphoma Research Foundation - Light it Red for Lymphoma
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners - Small Business
- United Nations Foundation - Girl Up
Public Affairs/Issues Management
Winner: Havas PR North America - Moving Mountains to Draw Attention to Sacred Navajo Land
Honorable Mention:
- U.S. Green Building Council - Booz Allen Economic Impact Study
Public Service Announcement
Winner: AICR/Williams Whittle - CANcer PREVENTion: Together We Can
Honorable Mention:
- Imprenta Communications Group - North East Medical Services
- NSBC and Paul Werth Associates - Love the Life: Wear It! PSA Campaign
Publications
Co-Winner: CA Technologies
Co-Winner: MedTech Association - 2015 Bio/Med Industry Report: Navigating Today’s Healthcare Landscape
Honorable Mention:
- MVP Health Care - MVPnews Employee Newsletter
- Office Depot Foundation - 2014 Annual Report to the Community
- US Postal Service - little blue book
Social Media
Winner: Weber Shandwick on behalf of UNICEF - Real-Time Content Studio at the UN General Assembly
Honorable Mention:
- American Hospital Association - Advancing Health in America
- Hospital for Special Surgery - HSS Back in the Game
Social Responsibility
Winner: Girl Scouts of the USA - Girl Scouts Adds a ‘Byte’ to Its Iconic Cookie Program
Honorable Mention:
- Imprenta Communications Group - Wage Theft
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners - Teen Driving Reboot
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization - Moments of Life: Made Possible by Hospice
- Taco Bell Foundation - "Potential" Campaign
Video and/or Podcast Program
Winner: The Case Foundation - Are Your Ready to Change the World?
Honorable Mention:
- CAF America - Radio Network
- National Hemophilia Foundation - Making Your Factor Work for You
Website
Winner: National Beer Wholesalers Association - NBWA Website
Honorable Mention:
- Georgia Aquarium - 2015 Website Redesign