This year’s program attracted more than 800 nominations, demonstrating the depth and strength of the nonprofit community in the region and deep engagement with the companies that support them.
Multiple judging sessions were held by D CEO editors, who named a total of 133 finalists.
Two new categories were added this year: Newcomer Nonprofit, which recognizes the work of an organization that is still in its first three years of operation, and Board Member of the Year, which honors the work of exceptional leadership at the board level.
For 2025, two special awards will be presented: Longtime civic leader and George W. Bush Presidential Center President and CEO Ken Hersh will be honored with the program’s Legacy Award, and Amanda Alvarez will receive the Emerging Leader Award for her work with nonprofit LaBori Boxing.
All 133 finalists will be recognized in D CEO’s August issue and at an exclusive awards event in July, where the winners in each category will be revealed. They are presented here in alphabetical order within their categories, by organization or company name.
Corporate Citizenship Categories
Corporate Leadership Excellence
- Mark Wade, Bank of Texas
- John Hussey, Cuddly
- Tom Harris, Hillwood
- Ryan Chismark, Meritax Advisors
- Larry Miller, NDBT
- James Dondero, NexPoint
- James Sellers, Sellmark Corp.
- Stacy Bowers, Simmons Bank
Corporate Partner of the Year
- Atmos Energy + Texas Health
- Celanese + United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
- McKinsey & Co. + Water Cooler at Pegasus Park
- National Life Group + Parkland Health
- Oakwood Bank /b1 Bank + Youth With Faces
- Park Place Dealerships + Plano ISD Education Foundation
- TXU Energy + The Senior Source
Corporate Social Responsibility
- Aligned Data Centers
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Charles Schwab
- Dallas Mavericks
- NexCourt
- Texas Rangers
- WFAA
Equity Leadership
- Dikita Enterprises
- HKS
- ISP Creative
In-Kind Services Supporter
- DHD Films
- Jones Day
- KDC
- PDS Health
- Three Box Strategic Communications
Sustainability Leadership
- Gaedeke Group
Nonprofit Categories
Legacy Award
- Ken Hersh, George W. Bush Presidential Center
Emerging Leader Award
- Amanda Alvarez, LaBori Boxing
Capital One Impact Initiative Award
- Agape Resource & Assistance Center
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County
- Edwards Housing Inc.
Newcomer Nonprofit
- Dallas Housing Coalition
- Glenhouse Foundation
- HeadFirst Mental Health Initiative
- Obtaining New Ground
- Project Unbroken
Organization of the Year (Mega)
- Austin Street Center
- Buckner International
- Dallas CASA
- HHM Health
- Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
- My Possibilities
Organization of the Year (Large)
- The Center for American and International Law
- OurCalling
- Parkland Health Foundation
Organization of the Year (Midsize)
- Christ’s Haven For Children
- Dallas Education Foundation
- Forest Forward
- Junior Players
- ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship
- POETIC
Organization of the Year (Small)
- Ally’s Wish
- Hope Clinic of Garland
- KidLinks
- Project 4031
- RefreshNTX
- Taylor’s Gift Foundation
- Venture Dallas
Organization of the Year (Micro)
- Dallas Street Choir
- Fostering Dreams Foundation
- Independence Gardens
- Kayla Cares 4 Kids
- Unfaulted Corp.
Board Member of the Year
- R. Bruce Moon, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tarrant County
- Dr. Basheer Ahmed, Muslim Community Center for Human Services
- Ginny Kissling, North Texas Food Bank
- Deedie Rose, Trinity Park Conservancy
Leadership Excellence (Mega)
- Anna Hundley, Autism Treatment Center
- Cindy Schamp, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Irving
- Dave Woodyard, Catholic Charities Dallas
- Joshua Arce, Partnership With Native Americans
- Julie Butner, Tarrant Area Food Bank
- Craig Davis, Visit Dallas
Leadership Excellence (Large)
- Debra Caudy, 29 Acres
- Traswell Livingston III, ASD: A Home for Life
- Shonda Schaefer, Habitat for Humanity of Collin County
- Victor Boutros, Human Trafficking Institute
Leadership Excellence (Midsize)
- Marjorie Murat, Dallas Afterschool
- Martha Thomas, The Defensive Line
- Lisa Rose, The Gatehouse
- Sacher Dawson, Hope Farm
- Verna Jones, Under 1 Roof
- Dan Bailey, Youth Equipped to Succeed
Leadership Excellence (Small)
- Armando Cantu, CARDBoard Project
- Richard McKay, Dallas Chamber Symphony
- Claudia Beeny, House of Shine
- Richie Butler, Project Unity
- J.D. Trueblood, Turtle Creek Association
Leadership Excellence (Micro)
- LaDondra Wilson, Dallas Wings Community Foundation
- Dederick Tubbs, Konnect To The Konnection
- Dylan Rafaty, North Texas Disability Chamber
- Valerie Ballard, Operation Tiny House
- Leon Birdd, Servants of Our Lord (SOUL) Church
- Andrea Tabor, Twelfth Step Ministry
Most Successful Fundraising or Awareness Campaign
- The American Cancer Society
- Ascend Dallas
- Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
- Harold Simmons Park
- Mary Kay Ash Foundation
- Nexus Family Recovery Center
Nonprofit Team of the Year (Large and Mega)
- The Family Place
- Jubilee Park & Community Center
- Metrocrest Services
Nonprofit Team of the Year (Midsize)
- Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center
- Greenspace Dallas
- Methodist Justice Ministry
- Rainbow Days
Nonprofit Team of the Year (Micro + Small)
- Forgiven Felons
- Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Metro Relief
- North Texas Wildlife Center
Social Enterprise
- Cafe Momentum
- Restorative Farms
- Rian Ryelee Foundation
- Ruthie’s For Good
Innovation in Education (Midsize + Large + Mega)
- Catch Up & Read
- Equest
- KIPP Texas Public Schools, Dallas-Fort Worth
- Paul Quinn College
- United to Learn
- Uplift Education
Innovation in Education (Micro + Small)
- C5 Texas
- The Links Inc.
- Spin the Spectrum
- To Be Like Me
Volunteer of the Year
- Mark Bishop, American Red Cross, North Texas Region
- Robert Phillips, Ferguson Road Initiative
- William Braskamp, Paper for Water
This announcement originally appeared in D CEO here.
