IBJ names honorees for 2026 Nonprofit Excellence Awards

Submitted

IBJ Media, the locally owned publisher of Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business, and The Indiana Lawyer, announced on Tuesday, June 30 the honorees for its 2026 IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards.

Now in its second year, the IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards recognize high-performing nonprofit organizations, partners, and leaders across Indiana, and in partnership with the awards’ sponsor KSM, will contribute a total of $120,000 to select honoree organizations.

“Nonprofits play an essential role in addressing some of the greatest challenges and pursuing many of the greatest opportunities facing Indiana,” said Nate Feltman, IBJ Media’s CEO, owner and publisher. “In partnership with KSM, the IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards recognize the tremendous impact nonprofit organizations, their leaders and partners are having across Indiana.”

IBJ and its partners will recognize honorees at the IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4 in Indianapolis at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 W. Washington St. This is a ticketed event.

2026 Honorees

Nonprofit of the Year

• Large (annual budget of $25 million or more): Damien Center (will receive $50,000)
• Medium (annual budget between $5 million and $24 million): Foster Success (will receive $35,000)
• Small (annual budget under $5 million): Orr Fellowship (will receive $25,000)

Distinguished Recognition for Nonprofit of the Year-Large

• Aspire Indiana Health
• Children’s Bureau, Inc., DBA Firefly Children and Family Alliance
• Indiana Sports Corp.

Distinguished Recognition for Nonprofit of the Year-Medium

• HVAF of Indiana Inc.
• Indianapolis Urban League
• The Arc of Indiana

Distinguished Recognition for Nonprofit of the Year-Small

• Girls Incorporated of Greater Indianapolis
• Indiana Latino Institute
• Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation

New Nonprofit of the Year

• In Pursuit Of (will receive $5,000)

Volunteer of the Year

• Grace Otey, HVAF of Indiana, Inc. (will receive $5,000 for her organization)

Nonprofit Executive of the Year

• Large: Fred Glass, Gleaners Food Bank
• Small: Larry Smith, Fathers and Families Center

Philanthropist of the Year

• Frank Basile

Fundraising Event of the Year

• Rev, supporting Indiana University Health Foundation
• Best Collaboration Between a Business and Nonprofit
• Cummins Inc. & Edna Martin Christian Center

In-kind Supporter of the Year

• Shiel Sexton

Business Supporter of the Year

• Audiochuck

New Nonprofit Program of the Year

• Healthy Beginnings at Home, a partnership between Indiana University & CareSource

Board Member of the Year

• Dan Evans, Indiana Biosciences Research Institute
• Brad Holtz, The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation
• Anthony Warren, Goodwill Legacy Group

Click here to learn more about the event and to purchase tickets.