In a year when the world feels loud, divided, and uncertain, one thing is clear: good deserves to go viral.
Our 2026 Elevate Prize winners are not waiting for things to get easier – they’re building the world they want to see with courage and heart in the middle of a difficult era.
And their life-changing, impact-making — and trend-setting — work should be getting attention.
That is why we’ve built our own trends report: to show how our Elevate Prize winners are already building the inclusive, interconnected world we’re ready for.
Over the next two years, each winner will receive $300,000 in unrestricted funding, including $250,000 for their organization and $50,000 for personal wellbeing, alongside a two-year program with tailored strategic support to amplify their work and expand their reach.
These are the trends we want to see in 2026.
REFORMING JUSTICE WITH AI
Utkarsh Saxena
Co-Founder & CEO of Adalat AI
Adalat AI uses artificial intelligence to reduce judicial delays by streamlining courtroom processes and enabling faster access to justice.
SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS
Ai-jen Poo
Co-Founder & Executive Director of Caring Across Generations
Caring Across Generations works to transform the U.S. care system so that all people can age, live, and care with dignity through advocacy, organizing, and culture change.
FEEDING KIDS FRESH FOOD
Mara Fleishman
CEO of Chef Ann Foundation
The Chef Ann Foundation promotes healthy food in schools by supporting scratch-cooked meals made from whole ingredients and by empowering school food professionals with training and tools.
FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE
Krutika Ravishankar
Co-Founder & Executive Director of Farmers for Forests
Farmers for Forests partners with farmers to create biodiverse farms and forests that improve climate outcomes, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods.
GIVING SECOND CHANCES
Hillary Blout
CEO of For the People
For The People advances prosecutor-initiated resentencing by providing training, technical assistance, and support to help reunite families and strengthen communities.
PROTECTING MIGRANT WOMEN
Mónica Ramírez
Founder & President of Justice for Migrant Women
Justice for Migrant Women ensures migrant women have guaranteed human and civil rights, including dignity at work, freedom from violence, and the ability to migrate safely.
AI FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Manu Chopra
Co-Founder & CEO of Karya
Karya is building ethical AI by creating high-quality datasets while providing dignified digital work to underserved communities, ensuring that AI systems better represent the diversity of the world.
CHAMPIONING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
Tom Osborn
Founder & CEO of Shamiri
Shamiri Institute provides scalable, evidence-based mental health interventions for young people, delivered by trained young adults to help youth manage anxiety and depression and improve overall well-being.
EDUCATING GIRLS
Shabana Basij-Rasikh
Co-Founder & President of SOLA (School of Leadership, Afghanistan)
SOLA educates Afghan girls to become critical thinkers, ethical leaders, and compassionate citizens who will rebuild Afghanistan’s future.
FINANCIAL LIBERATION
Aisha Nyandoro
CEO of Springboard To Opportunities
Springboard to Opportunities works alongside residents of federally subsidized housing as they pursue their goals in school, work, and life by providing navigation support, connections to services, and opportunities to build social capital.
Over the coming months, you’ll see these leaders and their work in unexpected places — from Times Square billboards to city streets, social platforms, and beyond. Good deserves the spotlight. And when you Make Good Famous, it becomes impossible to ignore.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELEVATE PRIZE
About the Elevate Prize Foundation: Founded by Joseph Deitch, the Elevate Prize Foundation empowers changemakers and social entrepreneurs with the visibility, funding, and support they need to Make Good Famous. Learn more at elevateprize.org.
