Recognizing outstanding nonprofit leaders
Announcing the 2026 EXCEL Award finalists!
Congratulations to the following three leaders for making it to the final phase of our selection process.
Erica Beal, Executive Director, School Leader Lab
Joanne Lin, Executive Director, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
Dixon Osburn, Executive Director, Institute for Strategic Dialogue-US (ISD-US)
Awarded by the Center since 2005 and sponsored by GRF CPAs & Advisors since 2007, the EXCEL Award honors exceptional nonprofit chief executives in our region. This year's competition will place a special emphasis on innovation in leadership, recognizing achievement in the areas of motivation, community building, ethical integrity and strategic leadership.
Nominations can be made by Board members, staff members, volunteers, clients or community members, and can be made with or without the candidate’s knowledge.
One nominee is selected as the EXCEL Winner and is given access to a $10,000 professional development account. The winner’s organization receives a $2,000 cash award to support professional development programs for its staff.
Up to two nominees may be selected as Honorable Mention recipients. Each of their organizations receives a $3,000 award to support professional development programs for the candidate and/or staff.
The call for nominations opens in July, and after an in depth review and selection process, winners are introduced at the Center's Annual Celebration in the fall.
If you have any questions about the process, please email seans@nonprofitadvancement.org.