Citizens' Champions in Action program
Citizens' Champions in Action program is designed to support nonprofit organizations that address social challenges facing our communities. Since 2002, the program has awarded over $12.3 million to more than 400 Champions. In partnership with media outlets, we also provide support through promotion, publicity and volunteerism to help our Champions in Action better serve our communities.
Champions receive:
Building AI Readiness and Capacity
Nonprofits are navigating a fast‑evolving technological landscape, with many seeking practical, mission‑aligned ways to integrate AI into their work. While over 85% of nonprofits are exploring AI tools, only 24% have a formal strategy, underscoring a significant readiness gap. At the same time, 53% report time and staffing constraints as major barriers to adoption.
At Citizens, we are proud to champion organizations that lead through change and embrace innovation to strengthen their impact.
The 2026 Champions in Action award will recognize nonprofits working to build AI readiness and organizational capacity. These organizations are rising to the moment—expanding their digital competencies, improving program delivery, and exploring responsible, practical applications of AI that help them serve more people and operate more efficiently.
Eligibility Requirements
To be recognized as a Champion in Action, an organization must:
- Be a nonprofit organization based in California (Los Angeles or San Francisco), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania (Greater Philadelphia or Greater Pittsburgh), Rhode Island, or Southern Florida that addresses a specific social concern (topics announced biannually).
- Be able to provide 1 - 2 volunteer projects, including at least one skills-based volunteer project, for Citizens colleagues to engage in.
- Have a total operating budget between $250,000 - $5 million.
- Previous Champions in Action may reapply after five years have lapsed.
Winner will be announced in July 2026.
Meet our Champions for Innovating to Better Meet Community Needs
These nonprofits are adapting to shifting community needs, demonstrating resilience, creativity, and a clear commitment to continuous improvement, finding new ways to enhance programs, streamline processes, and deliver greater impact.
Access Institute – San Francisco, CA
Access Institute delivers trauma-informed mental health care to children, families, and older adults in under-resourced communities in San Francisco, while training the next generation of mental health professionals through internships, fellowships, and psychiatric nurse-practitioner training. Their volunteer-powered clinical training model injects significant in-kind expertise every year to help close local access gaps. With Champions in Action funding, Access Institute will expand its training programs — increasing capacity for mental health interns and nurse-practitioner fellows — and deepen its reach across outpatient clinics, school-based services, and elder programs.
Catalyst Miami – South Florida
Catalyst Miami supports low-income and immigrant communities with small-business assistance, civic engagement, financial empowerment, and free tax preparation through its VITA program — helping families access tax refunds and credits they often need for housing, bills, and stability. As a Certified Acceptance Agent, Catalyst also provides free ITIN services to immigrant households otherwise unable to access federal tax benefits. Champions in Action funding will enable Catalyst Miami to expand its VITA operations and ITIN services, increasing reach to more households and bringing essential economic relief to some of Florida's most vulnerable residents.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell – Massachusetts
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell offers youth development and workforce-readiness opportunities to teens in Lowell, including its paid Youth Leaders program where teens earn wages while mentoring younger members and gaining job experience. This work helps break cycles of poverty by building skills, confidence, and a path toward stable employment. With Champions in Action funds, the Club will fund wages, uniforms, and training for its Youth Leaders during the 2026–2027 school year — enabling continued paid employment, mentorship, and leadership development for local teens.
Latin American Economic Development Association (LAEDA) – New Jersey
Latin American Economic Development Association (LAEDA) drives inclusive economic revitalization by providing entrepreneurship training, coaching, and access to capital for people looking to start or grow businesses — building generational wealth and strengthening neighborhood commercial corridors across New Jersey. Their culturally competent approach meets people where they are, including caregivers, working adults, and first-generation entrepreneurs. Champions in Action support will fund the development and pilot launch of a hybrid version of their Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP), making training more accessible to those balancing jobs, family, or transportation constraints.
Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) – New Hampshire
Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) operates one of the Northeast's only year-round, high-altitude weather research and forecasting centers — producing critical climate data, public-safety alerts, and STEM education programs that benefit New England communities. It also runs training and internship opportunities to prepare future meteorologists and climate communicators. With Champions in Action funding, MWOBS will expand its internship and apprenticeship programs (including summit-based research roles), add an educator to boost school outreach, and launch a broadcast meteorology internship to develop climate-savvy communicators.
Rhode Island Free Clinic – Rhode Island
Rhode Island Free Clinic provides comprehensive preventive health care to uninsured and low-income adults while training future healthcare professionals, offering a vital "medical home" for underserved communities. As a previous Champions in Action winner in 2004, the Clinic has expanded over decades to deliver culturally responsive care and build a sustainable training pipeline for diverse clinicians. With new funding, the Clinic will hire two part-time Community Health Workers to help patients navigate care, access resources, overcome social and economic barriers, and improve health outcomes — strengthening follow-up care and expanding access to barrier-free, high-quality health services.
Pennsylvania Women Work – Western Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Women Work supports women seeking meaningful employment through coaching, career development, and mentoring — helping them increase their incomes and achieve long-term financial independence. Their work targets women at different life stages, including those returning to work after career breaks or needing flexible, stable employment. Champions in Action funding will launch Next Chapter Careers, a program tailored to women 50+, offering individualized coaching, job-search assistance, skills training, and employer connections to help experienced women re-enter the workforce with dignity and confidence.
StreetWise Partners – NYC
StreetWise Partners connects adults from underserved communities with corporate mentors who offer job-skills workshops, coaching, and networking support — helping participants overcome hiring barriers and gain quality employment. Their programs focus on preparing clients for modern job markets, including resume building, interview training, and career coaching. Champions in Action funding will support the StreetWise Bridge Program (13 weeks of intensive training + nine months of coaching) and enable volunteer-led events (mock interviews, LinkedIn clinics, speed networking) with Citizens colleagues to deepen impact and expand mentorship reach.
Women's Opportunity Resource Center (WORC) – Eastern Pennsylvania
Women's Opportunity Resource Center (WORC) empowers women through microlending, small-business training, and matched-savings programs, helping clients build credit, grow savings, and launch sustainable businesses. Their holistic model supports both individual entrepreneurs and their families, giving them tools for long-term financial stability. With Champions in Action support, WORC will expand its Credit-Builder Loan fund and matched savings incentives to reach more clients with limited or no credit history and strengthen their path toward financial empowerment and business ownership.
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