Founder’s Award

When changemakers defy categorization, enter the Elevate Prize Founder’s Award. An award designed to support innovation, inspiration, and progress wherever we find it.
The award?
An unrestricted grant designed to drive greater impact. This is about purpose and inspiration coming together – it is an award for extraordinary opportunities that may not align with our signature programs, but are vital to our mission. When our founder, Joe Deitch, or other members of the senior team, encounter a game changing social entrepreneur or endeavor, we conduct our due diligence and go from there.
This prize is awarded selectively at the discretion of the Elevate Prize Foundation team and our founder, Joe Deitch. Solicitation will not be considered.
“Sometimes we meet a person whose vision captivates us, or we discover an organization that’s making waves – and making progress. Maybe they don’t fit the criteria for one of our other prizes, so the Elevate Prize Founder’s Award is poised to fill that gap and support social entrepreneurs and enterprises that are especially deserving.”
-Joseph Deitch
RECIPIENT
2025
Sam Vaghar & Millennium Campus Network
Since 2007, Millennium Campus Network (MCN) has supported the next generation of social impact leaders. Through the Millennium Fellowship, university undergraduates receive training, community, and credentials as they engage in grassroots civic initiatives – from launching community gardens and solar energy projects to mental health campaigns. Over 20,000 young leaders have participated worldwide, launching into social impact careers and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on campuses and in their communities.
Millennium CAMPUS NETWORK NOW IN ACTION
RECIPIENT
2025
Equality Now
For over 30 years, Equality Now has driven global legal reform for women and girls through expert advocacy, strategic litigation, partnerships, and grassroots collaboration. A recognized international human rights expert, convener, and reformer, the organization has led the charge in transforming 120 sex-discriminatory laws around the world — from child marriage and rape to digital safety, inheritance, and citizenship — delivering systemic change and advancing equality worldwide.
Now more than ever, as women’s rights face mounting global threats, we need bold, brave organizations leading the way. That’s why we are proud to honor Equality Now with the Elevate Prize Founder’s Award.



