Prize Opportunities
Overview
Prizes awarded during the 2026 Giving Challenge are an engaging way for nonprofits to dive deep into their capacity-building efforts and explore partnerships, opportunities, and connections that last far beyond the 24-hour challenge. Of course, prizes also provide a fun, friendly outlet for those organizations with fierce competitive spirits.
Whether you’re in for the competition or camaraderie, there are plenty of prize opportunities to discover and apply for that celebrate your organization’s campaigns and achievements. Good luck, and let your creative flag fly!
Automatically Eligible Prizes
Automatically Eligible Prizes
Every nonprofit participating in the 2026 Giving Challenge is automatically eligible for the following prizes. No application is required. These prizes will be awarded after or during the 24-hours of giving.
PRIZE LIST COMING SOON!
Automatically Eligible Prize—If Specific Criteria Is Met
Every nonprofit participating in the 2026 Giving Challenge is automatically eligible for the prizes below if they meet the criteria for that prize. No application is required.
PRIZE LIST COMING SOON!
Application Prizes
Pre-Giving Challenge
Each prize listed below requires an online application submission before the 2026 Giving Challenge. Application dates and deadlines for these prizes vary. Links to the online application forms will be posted below once their application opens.
$1,000 prize each to the 5 nonprofit organizations with the top blog post, newsletter or email campaign published between Aug. 12, 2025 and Sept 30, 2025 that tells the nonprofit organization’s 2024 Giving Challenge story. How did its donors make a difference in 2024? Why is it important for donors to support the nonprofit organization again this year during the Giving Challenge?
PDF Outline of Application Questions
LINK TO ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
Applications Open: August 12, 2025
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025 (5:00 PM EST)
Judged by committee before the Giving Challenge
$1,500 prize each to ten recipients with the best videos produced in-house or professionally. Judges are looking for short videos (30 seconds) with the following qualities:
- The video tells a compelling story about what the nonprofit organization achieves for their clients or the community
- The video makes use of data and/or stories from the organization's profile in The Giving Partner and/or Giving Challenge donation page
- The video incorporates the “Be The One” concept
Video Submission Requirements: Videos will be submitted by uploading to the nonprofit organization's YouTube channel or Vimeo account AND providing the link/URL in the application form. It is highly encouraged to use YouTube or Vimeo's video requirements (posted below).
YouTube Video Guidelines:
- Recommended dimensions: 426 x 240 (240p), 640 x 360 (360p), 854 x 480 (480p), 1280 x 720 (720p), 1920 x 1080 (1080p), 2560 x 1440 (1440p) and 3840 x 2160 (2160p)
- Aspect ratio is 16:9
- Max file size is 128GB
- Accepted video formats include: .MOV, .MPEG4, MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, and WebM
PDF Outline of Application Questions
Applications Open: October 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026 (5:00 PM EST)
Judged by committee before the Giving Challenge
Post-Giving Challenge
Size Categories: In an effort to create an equal opportunity for nonprofits to compete for some application-based Giving Challenge prizes, size categories are established based on a nonprofit's expenses. Each prize category—small, medium, and large— includes roughly the same number of Giving Challenge nonprofits, ensuring each organization can compete equally among its peers with similar financial resources. The 2026 Giving Challenge size categories will be announced in early 2026:
Applications Open: April 17, 2026
$250 prize each to the 20 nonprofit organizations with 2026 Giving Challenge photos that receive the most public votes for their photo submission. Photo submissions MUST include organization’s name and a brief caption of what is happening in the photo. Photos should capture the fun and excitement of the 2026 Giving Challenge.
Applications Open: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Judged by public online voting via the Observer website after the Giving Challenge. Exact dates and voting link coming soon.
$1,000 prize awarded to two recipients per category (small, medium, large) who utilize social media the best during their Giving Challenge campaign. Judges are looking for how clear, intentional, and unique the campaign is, and how well did it incorporate the “Be The One” concept. Judges will also consider how much reach, interaction, and engagement the campaign generates.
PDF Outline of Application Questions
Applications Open: April 17, 2026
Application Deadline: April 27, 2026 (5:00 PM EST)
Judged by committee after the Giving Challenge
$4,000 prize to first place recipients, $3,000 prize to second place recipients, and $2,000 prize to third place recipients per category (small, medium, large) with the best overall campaigns. Judges will be looking for pre-determined goals and strategies before the Giving Challenge; a variety of communication tools are used in a campaign with integrated messaging; how well the nonprofit organization’s campaign incorporated the “Be The One” concept; and inclusion of references to the nonprofit organization’s profile in The Giving Partner. Remember, this isn’t about spending money!
PDF Outline of Application Questions
Applications Open: April 17, 2026
Application Deadline: April 27, 2026 (5:00 PM EST)
Judged by committee after the Giving Challenge