Best Advocacy or Policy Initiative

Eligibility: Can be just one corporation or one nonprofit (does not require a nonprofit partner).

Recognizes initiatives that influence public opinion, shape legislation, or drive systemic change on social impact-related issues. Strong entries demonstrate measurable outcomes, such as policy wins, shifts in public awareness, or changes in industry practices, and show how these outcomes benefit the intended communities or causes. Judges will look for strategic leverage of the organization’s expertise and platform, thoughtful stakeholder engagement, evidence of impact, and a clear tie between the organization and the policy change goal.

Best Cause Marketing Initiative

Eligibility: At least one corporation AND one nonprofit partner.

This award recognizes initiatives that use marketing, communications, and storytelling to drive measurable social or environmental impact. Strong entries show how creative campaigns, activations, or calls to action engaged audiences, inspired participation, and produced tangible results, such as funds raised, awareness built, or behavior change. Judges will look for entries that integrate purpose into the campaign authentically, demonstrate creative, innovative approaches to reach and motivate audiences, and show evidence of long-term impact or the potential to serve as a model for similar efforts.

Best Cause Product Initiative

Eligibility: Can be just one Nonprofit or Corporation (without a nonprofit partner).

Recognizes products designed to create measurable social impact or support a cause. A cause product is something sold to support a cause, create social or environmental impact, or raise money for communities. Strong entries will clearly demonstrate the connection between the product and its social impact, showing quantifiable outcomes such as funds raised or people helped. Judges will look for initiatives where the product itself drives impact—whether through sustainable design, innovative giving models, or programs that directly connect consumer use to social change—and where that impact is central to the product’s purpose and shows potential for scale or influence.

Best Point-of-Sale Initiative *NEW*

Eligibility: At least one corporation AND one nonprofit partner.

Recognizes initiatives that make giving simple, accessible, and impactful by engaging consumers to support a cause through point-of-sale transactions. Examples include in-store, online, or mobile activations such as round-up donations or consumer actions that trigger corporate financial contributions. Judges will look for initiatives where the point-of-sale approach directly drives social impact and exemplifies best practices, such as leveraging both partners’ strengths and designing campaigns that are easy for consumers to engage with. Submissions should demonstrate measurable results such as total funds raised and participation rates, as well as evidence of thoughtful engagement with a variety of stakeholders. Initiatives should be sustainable, scalable, and innovative in how they mobilize generosity and build meaningful connections between brands, causes, and consumers.

Best Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and/or Belonging (DEIB) Initiative

Eligibility: Can be just one Nonprofit or Corporation (without a nonprofit partner).

Recognizes initiatives that embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into a company, campaign, or partnership. Eligible entries may include programs that expand opportunities for equity-seeking communities, internal culture or policy shifts that advance inclusion, or creative DEIB-focused approaches to longstanding social challenges. Strong submissions will provide measurable, numerical evidence of progress, such as increased representation, improved employee engagement, or positive outcomes for the communities served. Judges will look for initiatives that reflect DEIB principles in action—for example, creating policies or programs that address systemic inequities, designing inclusive workplace practices, amplifying underrepresented voices, fostering belonging for all employees, or developing products or campaigns that intentionally serve diverse communities. Entries that demonstrate leadership commitment, long-term sustainability, and fresh, innovative thinking that drives systemic change will be most competitive.

Best Direct Service Initiative

Eligibility: At least one corporation AND one nonprofit partner.

This award recognizes initiatives that provide direct support to address pressing social issues, such as access to basic needs, workforce development, or inclusive community programs, in ways that align with the company’s values and business goals. Strong entries clearly define the problem being addressed, describe the services delivered, and show measurable outcomes, such as the number of people served, skills gained, or improvements in well-being. Judges will look for initiatives where direct service is central to the strategy, demonstrates meaningful and tangible impact for beneficiaries, and leverages partner strengths. Entries should show innovative approaches to delivering services, foster inclusion and accessibility, engage communities thoughtfully, and have the potential for sustainable, long-term impact.

Best Disability Initiative

Eligibility: At least one corporation AND one nonprofit partner.

Recognizes initiatives that provide support and opportunities for people in the disability community through programs, services, or campaigns. Strong entries demonstrate measurable outcomes, such as increased access to resources, improved employment or education opportunities, policy or system changes, or heightened public awareness of disability-related issues. Judges will look for initiatives that actively engage and include people with disabilities in the design and implementation of programs, integrate accessibility and inclusion into all aspects of the initiative, and leverage the partnership to maximize impact. Entries should show innovative approaches to removing barriers and demonstrate sustainable change with the potential to serve as a model for others.

Best Education Initiative

Eligibility: At least one corporation AND one nonprofit partner.

Recognizes initiatives that expand access to education, address inequities, and support innovative approaches to learning for individuals and communities of all ages. Strong entries demonstrate measurable outcomes, such as improved student performance, increased access to educational resources, or greater engagement of learners and educators. Judges will look for initiatives that actively involve students, teachers, or community members in shaping programs, leverage the unique strengths of both partners, and integrate educational goals into the core strategy.

Best Emergency/Disaster Response Initiative

Eligibility: Can be just one corporation (without a nonprofit partner).

Recognizes initiatives that respond to or prepare for crises with speed, effectiveness, and measurable impact. Strong entries demonstrate how the organization mobilized resources, supported affected communities, or implemented preventative strategies, with clear metrics such as aid delivered, people assisted, or improvements in resilience. Judges will look for initiatives that combine immediate action with thoughtful planning for long-term recovery, leverage the company’s strengths to maximize impact, and demonstrate innovation and adaptability in addressing urgent needs. Submissions should show both operational excellence and meaningful, lasting benefits for the communities served.

Best Employee Engagement Initiative

Eligibility: Can be just one corporation (without a nonprofit partner).

Recognizes corporate initiatives that meaningfully and measurably engage a company’s employees in a cause-focused initiative to achieve both social and business impact. Submissions should detail the ways employees are engaged (e.g., skills-based volunteerism, pro bono work, fundraising campaigns, employee resource groups), and demonstrate measurable benefits for both communities and the business (e.g., hours served, retention, satisfaction). Judges will look for initiatives that align employee engagement with meaningful community impact, leverage corporate resources and expertise effectively, and foster a culture of purpose within the organization. Submissions should show creativity, measurable social outcomes, and sustainable engagement practices.

Best Food Insecurity Initiative

Eligibility: At least one corporation AND one nonprofit partner.

Recognizes initiatives that address hunger and food access challenges. Strong entries will demonstrate how partnerships combine their expertise and resources to deliver measurable outcomes — such as meals provided, communities reached, or long-term improvements in food access. Judges will look for initiatives that balance immediate relief with sustainable solutions, integrate community voices, and address the root causes of food insecurity.

Best Gender & LGBTQ Equality Initiative

Eligibility: At least one corporation AND one nonprofit partner.

Recognizes initiatives that advance equity, representation, and belonging for people of all genders and sexual orientations. Strong entries demonstrate clear results, such as improved LGBTQ workplace inclusion, expanded access to resources, or shifts in public awareness and policy. Judges will look for initiatives that go beyond visibility to create tangible change — whether through equitable hiring practices, inclusive product design, education, advocacy, or community investment. Submissions should show how authenticity and allyship are embedded into partnerships, driving measurable progress toward gender and LGBTQ+ equality.

Best Local-Impact Initiative *NEW*

Eligibility: Can be just one corporation (without a nonprofit partner).

This award celebrates initiatives that create measurable impact within a defined local or regional community, such as an HQ’s city or activating local franchises or affiliates. Entries should demonstrate a deep understanding of the community’s needs and show how the initiative strengthened local relationships, supported grassroots partners, or improved quality of life. Judges will look for programs that reflect genuine place-based engagement — where impact is driven by local voices, informed by on-the-ground collaboration, and sustained through community collaboration.

Best Mental or Physical Health Initiative

Eligibility: At least one corporation AND one nonprofit partner.

This award recognizes initiatives that prioritize the health and well-being of individuals and communities by addressing mental or physical health challenges. This includes providing access to care, supporting research and innovation, addressing health disparities, and developing innovative solutions to improve overall health outcomes. Judges will look for programs with measurable outcomes — such as improved health indicators, increased access to services, or reductions in inequities — and for approaches that meaningfully engage the communities they serve.

Best Sustainability or Conservation Initiative

Eligibility: Can be just one Nonprofit or Corporation (without a nonprofit partner).

Recognizes initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, or resource conservation. Entries may showcase how organizations work to reduce environmental harm, restore ecosystems, or inspire behavior change toward a more sustainable future. Judges will look for initiatives that go beyond compliance to drive innovation, empower communities, and integrate sustainability into the organization’s core mission.

Best of the Best Award

Chosen from across the full spectrum of The Halo Award winners, this award is category-agnostic and recognizes an initiative that best demonstrates outstanding execution of an initiative that engages multiple stakeholders, has a clear impact on business and community, and is innovative in its approach. This award does not require an application.