At their core, the most important themes in life are universal. Across cultures and continents, humans share the same hopes: lives filled with love, safe communities, access to quality healthcare and education, and opportunities to explore their passions.
The Make It Better Foundation and Better Magazine exist to make it easier for our audience to find, support, and learn from outstanding nonprofits working to make those hopes a reality. Our readers — engaged, philanthropic, and fortunate to raise their families in abundance — are eager to give back.
Through a combination of strategic storytelling and carefully vetted nonprofit partnerships, we connect generous audiences with organizations delivering measurable impact. The nonprofits we feature consistently see increased donations, sponsors, volunteers, in-kind support, and visibility.
Our Philanthropy Awards are a cornerstone of this work. As we continue to elevate the organizations recognized in 2026, we are also looking ahead to the 2027 award cycle, now underway. Here’s how it works.
What Are the Philanthropy Awards?
The Philanthropy Awards are the Make It Better Foundation’s keystone program — a national platform designed to identify, elevate, and amplify high-impact nonprofits.
Each year, organizations are recognized across multiple levels based on their impact, innovation, and potential to scale.
What Do Winners Receive?
In 2026, the Foundation honored 43 organizations across four tiers with unrestricted cash grants, professionally produced editorial storytelling, and strategic visibilty designed to reach new donors and supporters. Cash awards ranged from $10,000 to $125,000, with top recipients receiving support valued at more than $250,000.
Who Is Eligible?
To be considered for the 2027 Philanthropy Awards, nonprofits must:
- Submit at least one You Said It article that is accepted for publication by Better Magazine by May 31, 2026; and/or
- Be a previous Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award recipient
How Are Winners Selected?
Winners and Runners-Up are selected by an Academy of Judges that includes philanthropy experts, nonprofit leaders, sponsors, Make It Better Foundation board members, past recipients, and partners.
Judging Criteria: A Venture Philanthropy Lens
Judges evaluate nonprofits based on five key areas:
- Effectiveness: Number of people served, outcomes achieved, long-term impact, and efforts to break cycles of dependency
- Efficiency: Collaboration and cost-effectiveness
- Leadership: Board engagement, diversity, mission alignment, and strategic risk-taking
- Scalability: Ability to grow programs and funding independent of government support, and potential to replicate regionally
- Excellence: Commitment to integrity, transparency, and the highest service standards
Expanding the Role of Storytelling
As the Philanthropy Awards continue to evolve, storytelling plays an increasingly important role in how impact is evaluated. In addition to the core criteria, judges will consider how effectively organizations translate their work into compelling, nationally relevant, evergreen stories that engage the broadest possible audience. Special attention will be given to the strength of narrative, quality of visuals, and amplification across digital channels, including social media, website, and email newsletter.
For past award recipients re-applying, this may include reviewing the reach and impact of previous content collaborations, while for new applicants, the “You Said It” submission serves as a key indicator, evaluating how clearly the story is told, how effectively visuals are used, and how well the piece is designed to resonate nationally — beyond a single community. The goal is to identify organizations whose impact extends not only through their work, but through storytelling that inspires awareness, connection, and action.
Why Do the Philanthropy Awards Matter?
The Philanthropy Awards are designed not just to recognize strong organizations, but to help them grow. Winning organizations gain:
- National visibility
- New donors and sponsors
- Volunteer support
- Stronger long-term momentum
The goal is simple: make it easier for generous people to find and support organizations that are solving real problems in meaningful ways.
Want Your Nonprofit To Be Considered?
Contribute a You Said It article and become part of the Make It Better Foundation’s funding and storytelling network. Successful submissions will be eligible for an initial $1,000 grant and will be invited to apply for a 2027 Philanthropy Award.
Want To Get Involved?
Interested in supporting the awards as a Sponsor, Judge, or Media Partner? Please contact foundation@makeitbetter.net, Attn: Mindy Fauntleroy, President, or Susan B. Noyes, Founder.
Meet past Winners
We are proud to honor the inspiring, innovative nonprofits who have received this award — and the dedicated teams behind them.
Susan B. Noyes is the founder of the Make It Better Foundation, which publishes Better Magazine, writer, philanthropist and civic activist who has founded or served on many boards — including the American Red Cross, Chicago Public Education Fund, Harvard Graduate School Of Education, Joffrey Ballet, Poetry Foundation, Rush Nerobehavioral Center for Children, New Trier High School District, and her beloved Kenilworth Union Church.
