Elevate Prize Winners Secure Major Funding and Storytelling Training
The Elevate Prize Foundation has announced its ten winners for 2026, each receiving over $300,000 in unrestricted funding alongside specialised training to enhance their storytelling capabilities. Among the recipients are Monica Ramirez of Justice for Migrant Women and Mara Fleishman of the Chef Ann Foundation, both recognised for their impactful work in supporting marginalised communities and promoting healthier school meals.
Monica Ramirez: Advocacy Amid Immigration Challenges
For Monica Ramirez, founder and president of Justice for Migrant Women, the award represents a crucial show of support during a period of heightened immigration crackdowns. Based in Fremont, Ohio, her nonprofit advocates for the rights of migrant women and other vulnerable groups. Ramirez emphasised the significance of the prize, stating, "As immigrant and migrant community members are being threatened and attacked around our country, it's really important to have shows of support like the Elevate Prize is providing." She added that the funding will enable her organisation to continue its urgent work, providing a microphone for those they serve.
Mara Fleishman: Scaling Impact Through Visibility
Mara Fleishman, CEO of the Chef Ann Foundation, aims to leverage the prize to elevate her nonprofit's profile. The Boulder, Colorado-based organisation has already collaborated with over 17,000 schools, reaching more than five million children with made-from-scratch meals that reduce reliance on processed foods. Fleishman highlighted the challenge of translating their success into actionable insights for legislators and advocates, noting, "How do we take the work we've done and turn it into something digestible for legislators and advocates to understand what is possible?" She hopes increased visibility will mobilise public support as a "force multiplier" for policy change.
Storytelling as a Strategic Tool
Elevate Prize Foundation CEO Carolina Garcia Jayaram underscored the growing importance of public visibility for nonprofits, describing it as a form of protection and a catalyst for fundraising. To amplify the winners' stories, the foundation is launching "Good Is Trending," an initiative that includes featuring the winners on NASDAQ's Times Square billboards. Jayaram explained, "People pay more attention to people than they do to issues. So when you can ground an issue in the story of a person, of a community, of a neighborhood, suddenly the whole world can start to engage and relate to that."
Expanding Narrative Reach Through Elevate Studios
The foundation's commitment to storytelling is further demonstrated by Elevate Studios, launched last year to produce content ranging from YouTube videos to feature-length documentaries. This initiative aims to effectively share the winners' journeys and impact, fostering greater public engagement and support.
2026 Elevate Prize Winners
The full list of 2026 Elevate Prize winners includes:
- Shabana Basij-Rasikh, president and co-founder of SOLA (School of Leadership, Afghanistan) for Afghan girls.
- Hillary Blout, founder and executive director of For the People, assisting with prison release.
- Manu Chopra, CEO of Karya, bringing AI advancements to low-income communities.
- Aisha Nyandoro, CEO of Springboard to Opportunities, supporting residents in affordable housing.
- Tom Osborn, founder and CEO of Shamiri Institute, providing mental health care in underserved regions.
- Ai-jen Poo, executive director of Caring Across Generations, prioritising care as a national issue.
- Krutika Ravishankar, co-founder and executive director of Farmers for Forests, protecting forests in India.
- Utkarsh Saxena, executive director of Adalat AI, developing AI tools for court systems.
The Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits is supported through a collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., with the AP maintaining sole responsibility for the content.
