Top Photo: Emcee Hannah Donnelly from NBC 10 at the awards ceremony

As federal funding dwindles and challenges mount, many communities are increasingly reliant on local nonprofits to fill gaps in social services.

On June 17, the Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits (MCN) hosted its annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards at the New England Aquarium to honor the people behind such vital community organizations.

“To take care of others, we need to take care of ourselves,” said Lidy Chan, cofounder of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, which works to support women of color through advocacy and education.

At the event, finalists, supporters, and community members gathered to learn about, network with, and celebrate the people who make their communities work, even when so much else is not working.

After opening remarks by CEO Jim Klockeof MCN, emcee duties were handled by NBC 10’s Hannah Donnelly. The Nonprofit Excellence Awards were established to raise attention… for “ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” she said. “Even on the tough days, we all know that you are making a difference.”

Over 150 individuals and organizations were nominated this year. Across the state, over 500,000 people work for nonprofits.

Among the leaders selected for the awards was Moses Dixon, CEO of Senior Connection, Inc., the 2026 winner for Excellence in Advocacy. The organization connects seniors and caregivers to services, from Medicare enrollment to supporting grandparents who are raising grandchildren, in Central Massachusetts.

In speaking of the innovations that have garnered Senior Connection national and international attention, Dixon suggested that his organization has “left the brick-and-mortar model to meet people where they are,” citing a mobile service unit and other means by which his team is engaging people in need more directly and efficiently.

Excellence in Leadership award recipient Sandra McCroom of Children’s Services of Roxbury also honored her fellow finalists.

“When I hear of your track record, I am even more humbled,” she said.

The organization has become one of the largest Black-led nonprofits in the state, providing shelters, transitional housing, foster care, early childhood education, youth development and mental health services for young people and families. McCroom’s team recently expanded services by 25%, building more than 170 new jobs in the community.

“We are first responders,” she said, before challenging attendees to “look to our neighbors and find common humanity. … Without love and without grace, what are we?”

Having recently filled an important gap in the housing market with a middle-income facility in Newton, 2Life Communities earned the Excellence in Innovation award.

In her acceptance speech, CEO Amy Schechtman said her organization firmly believes that “all older adults should be able to have a full life.” She noted that 2Life residents regularly outlive others in their respective age groups even if their incomes are lower, thanks to the enriching environment that 2Life provides.

The evening also honored organizations addressing food access and income inequality. Launched by former educator and self-taught chef Kirsten Levitt 15 years ago, Stone Soup Cafe now serves hundreds of people in the Pioneer Valley through a pay-what-you-can model that engages guests of all backgrounds and economic strata. Stone Soup was awarded the Excellence in Community-Building award.

“What is community,” Levitt said in her remarks, “and how does community function? How can we be more connected when disconnect reigns?”

Levitt explained that her organization offers “support and dignity” for those dealing with hunger and poverty.

Furthering the effort to build community, Stone Soup works with other organizations in the same space. “We even fundraise together,” said Stone Soup’s Director of Fundraising Jansyn Thaw. She added that Franklin County is “the most collaborative county (that we know of).”

Fellow educator Julie McDonald of Juniper Outreach also supports people in need of nutrition and was presented the Excellence by a Small Nonprofit award for her singular efforts.

Having started with McDonald personally distributing food to students, Juniper Outreach now serves nearly 1,000 students with in-school food pantries in eight schools in Worcester.

The final award recipient for 2026 was Ana Disla Santana of Casa Esperanza, which supports people in the Latine community across the commonwealth.

“As a Latina, I am especially proud to serve my community,” said Santana, who works as the program director for men. “I am also grateful to Casa Esperanza for providing this opportunity for me. I look forward to continuing to do the work that brings hope and healing every day.”

In a discussion with colleague Hugo Alvarez, Santana also said that her program, which offers six to nine months of treatment and bilingual behavioral health support for addiction, has the highest completion rate in the state. She thanked her team for nominating her.

“In nonprofits, you are usually busy doing for others,” she said. “It is nice to be recognized.”

As the crowd dispersed, Klocke continued to congratulate the winners and engage many others who had attended and supported the event.

“We’re honored to be able to recognize people who are doing such great and important work,” he said.