#USA #Indianapolis #Nonprofits #OneCause #Raise Awards

Recognizing Excellence in Fundraising: 2025 Raise Awards

The highly anticipated 2025 Raise Awards are now officially calling for nominations. This initiative spearheaded by OneCause—a venerated leader in digital fundraising technology—aims to spotlight extraordinary nonprofits that generate enthusiasm for charitable giving in innovative ways. The Raise Awards celebrate the unwavering efforts of individuals and organizations that inspire positive community engagement and drive real change for their respective causes.

A Commitment to Change

Steve Johns, CEO of OneCause, expressed his pride in the annual recognition of nonprofit work, reinforcing the notion that fundraising transcends mere monetary contributions. He states, "Fundraising isn't just about dollars raised—it's about creating opportunities, building connections, and making change happen." The Raise Awards serve as a critical platform to illuminate the remarkable achievements of those dedicated to societal betterment. They encourage creativity and fervor, pushing the frontiers of how nonprofits engage with supporters and hence challenging the norms of traditional fundraising.

Categories of Recognition

The awards encompass several key categories aimed at honoring excellence and innovation in the field:

• - Innovative Nonprofit of the Year: This category acknowledges nonprofit organizations that introduce clever, impactful fundraising methods, effectively engaging their supporters.
• - Storyteller of the Year: This award is for those who excel at articulating their mission and impact through captivating stories and branding campaigns that resonate with potential donors.
• - Fundraisers of the Year: This category celebrates individuals whose heartfelt commitment to their organization's mission elevates the donor experience and augmenting overall impact.

Last year, the awards showcased compelling narratives of community engagement, the undeniable potency of authentic storytelling, and transformative leadership within the fundraising arena. Royce Sparks, the Director of Communications and Philanthropy at Intermountain Centers for Human Development, commented on the last year’s winner, Paul O'Rourke: "Fundraising is fundamentally about uniting people for a common objective. The Raise Awards celebrate this collective impact, continually inspiring all of us by the creativity and commitment of fundraisers making a difference daily."

Honoring Past Achievements

In 2024, winners included:

• - Innovative Nonprofits of the Year: Madison Reading Project and Safe Harbor Center
• - Storytellers of the Year: MEC Disabilities and Team IMPACT
• - Fundraisers of the Year: Danny Mendoza (Foster Love), Lisa Buchs (Calvary Women’s Services), and Paul O'Rourke (Intermountain Centers for Human Development)

How to Nominate

Nominations for the Raise Awards are open until June 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM via the official award site https://raise.onecause.com/awards/. The nomination process incurs no fees and welcomes submissions from individuals and nonprofits of all sizes. A committee of nonprofit professionals and industry specialists will evaluate nominees based on their achievements and initiatives undertaken from March 2024 to March 2025.

Winners stand to gain invaluable support for their missions, including cash awards of $2,500 for the Innovative Nonprofit of the Year and Storyteller of the Year, and $500 for Fundraisers of the Year. The crowning of these honorees will take place during a prestigious awards reception at the upcoming Raise Conference, slated for September 8-9, 2025, along the beautiful River Walk in San Antonio, Texas.

About OneCause

Founded in 2008, OneCause has profoundly transformed how nonprofits engage in the fundraising landscape. With over 14,000 organizations benefiting from its innovative solutions, OneCause is dedicated to making charitable giving simpler and more impactful. They host the annual Raise Conference, promoting dialogue and collaboration among nonprofit professionals worldwide to foster innovative fundraising efforts. More information about OneCause can be found on their website at www.onecause.com or their social media pages on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.