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Spotlight Awards 2026

You are invited to nominate a grant that has transformed your members, your affiliate, a grantee organization, and/or your community. Up to three affiliates will be recognized with a Spotlight Award at the PowerUP! Texas conference.  Spotlight Awardees will be invited to accept the award and describe how the grant has impacted the non-profit organization, Affiliate and/or their community.
The awards ceremony will include a description of the Philanos affiliate, the grant and the grantee organization. Philanos will make a monetary award of $500 to the affiliate, which may be passed through to the grantee. Selected affiliates will be recognized on all Philanos media platforms.  


Process for Application:

To be considered:

Please describe the grant, including the way in which you believe it was transformational to the grantee organization, your community, and/or your affiliate in 750 words or less. If you have visuals (videos, photos, etc.) to demonstrate, please include with the application. 

The selection committee is additionally interested in but not limited to these areas:

    • Equity and inclusion as a lens in grantmaking and/or how one of your grants has increased equity and inclusion in your organization or community
    • Trust Based Philanthropy initiatives in grantmaking and/or your relationship with a grantee
    • Grantmaking changes made as a result of COVID, hurricanes, wildfires or other community crisis

Questions should be sent to: info@philanos.org  

The deadline for submission is November 3, 2025 by midnight PST.  Use our online form on this page to submit your nomination. If your affiliate is selected for a Spotlight Award, you will be contacted in January. We will  celebrate our Spotlight Award recipients live in Austin on Sunday, February 8, 2026. A representative from your organization should be present to highlight the grantee and accept the award. 

  


Selection process:

A panel of five evaluators, two Philanos Board members and three non-board affiliate members, will review all submissions and choose up to three affiliates that will be spotlighted during our virtual celebration this fall.

To learn more about previous Spotlight honorees, click HERE.

Thank you for sharing your grantmaking stories with us so that we can SPOTLIGHT you!


FAQ’s:

Can a Spotlight awardee submit a nomination at the next conference? No, the organization is not eligible at the next conference, but may apply at the one(s) following.

Can a Philanos affiliate submit the same project more than once? Yes, the member organization may re-submit the same (non-awarded) project to be reviewed by the Spotlight Review Committee.

What are the benefits to my organization of submitting a Spotlight application? Your organization will be awarded $500 and will be featured in future Philanos communications including: newsletter, website and social media. These communications provide a unique opportunity to elevate your organization to a national platform.

Are there any expectations of my organization if it’s recognized as a Spotlight Awardee? In order to receive the award, the Philanos Affiliate should have a member or proxy present at the PowerUP! Texas 2026 conference, to accept the award. We ask you to work with the Philanos Spotlight Award Committee regarding  the presentation details.

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