Announcing Ragan’s 2026 CSR Awards Finalists
Congratulations to this year’s changemakers in corporate social responsibility, ESG and social impact communications.
Ragan Communications is proud to announce the finalists of the 2026 CSR Awards, honoring the communicators, teams and organizations whose work is creating meaningful change through purpose-driven initiatives, community engagement and responsible business leadership. These finalists represent the very best in corporate social responsibility, demonstrating how strategic communications can strengthen communities, advance sustainability goals and inspire action.
This year’s finalists stood out for their innovation, measurable impact and commitment to making a difference. From ambitious ESG programs and community partnerships to employee engagement initiatives and purpose-led storytelling, these organizations are setting a high standard for excellence in CSR communications.
“Congratulations to this year’s CSR Awards finalists,” said Brendan Gannon, senior marketing manager for Ragan’s award programs. “These individuals, teams and organizations are leading with purpose and proving that effective communication can drive real-world impact. We’re honored to recognize their outstanding work and celebrate the positive change they’re creating.”
Read on to see the finalists across all categories who have advanced to the next stage of the competition. Then join us as we celebrate the winners of Ragan’s 2026 CSR Awards on September 30, 2026, in New York City, where category winners will be revealed and recognized alongside fellow leaders in CSR, ESG and social impact communications.
The finalists exemplify the power of purpose-driven communications to strengthen reputation, foster trust and create lasting progress. Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists.
CSR & ESG CATEGORIES
Cause Advocacy Campaign
Diageo: Take a Minute Make a Plan
Hyundai Motor North America: Turning the Tide on Ocean Waste: Hyundai and Healthy Seas Drive Environmental Advocacy
Community Affairs
Genesis Inspiration Foundation: Where Healing Meets Creativity: California Rises and the Power of Youth Arts
Orange County Transportation Authority: Trust Building Campaign — Community Affairs Successes
PDS Health: PDS Health International Service Trip to the PDS Health Foundation Clínica Dental (Guatemala)
Pivot Energy
Washington Area Fuel Fund: WAFF Thrive65 Heats Up Summer Giving
West Central Initiative: Rural Democracy Summit
Corporate-Community or Nonprofit Partnership
Audible: Emerging Creators Programs
Diageo: Take a Minute Make a Plan
EPAM Systems: EPAM Social Impact Innovation Program
Food Lion: Food Lion Feeds
Genesis Motor America: Imagination to Innovation: Genesis and Child Creativity Lab Expand Access to STEAM Education in Under-Resourced Communities
Nicor Gas: Homes for Tomorrow: Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity Redefine Affordable, Energy-Efficient Living
PagerDuty: PagerDuty.org Impact Cohorts
SP Foundation: SP Foundation Team
Crisis Response
Genesis Motor North America: Genesis Motor North America, Genesis Invitational — California Rises Initiative
Hillcrest and 3rd3rd Marketing: Opening Doors in a Crisis: How Hillcrest Responded to Seniors Displaced by the Eaton Fire
Liberty Military Housing: Supporting Military Families During Historic Government Shutdown
Washington Area Fuel Fund: WAFF Steps Up in Maryland
CSR Campaign
Cisco Systems: Journey to Opportunity: How Cisco Helped 50 Million People Connect to New Opportunities in India
ECPR Texas: Protecting the Hill Country: The Stop Fitzhugh Concert Venue Campaign
ECPR Texas: Steady Voice in the Storm: Crisis Communications for the Kerr County Flood Recovery
ESPN: Take Back Sports
Food Lion: Food Lion Feeds
Infoblox: Giving Your Way Employee Program
Johnson Outdoors: Clean Earth Challenge
Nicor Gas: Homes for Tomorrow: Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity Redefine Affordable, Energy-Efficient Living
Philip Morris International U.S.: Thanks for Giving: A National Call to Lift Up Those Who Lift Up Others
Progress Software: Progress for Tomorrow
Summer: Delivering Free Student Loan Assistance to New Yorkers
CSR or ESG Event (Virtual or In Person)
Children’s Health: Children’s Health 2025 Beyond ABC Report Sparks Urgent Action to Combat the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Cisco Systems: The Community Innovation Challenge: Where the Next Generation of Bold Student Thinkers Use Cisco Technology to Drive Community Solutions
Fenix Outdoor: Fjallraven Classic US
Meetings & Incentives Worldwide: 2025 M&IW Summit
The Leaders Institute
CSR or ESG Initiatives
Ares Charitable Foundation: Examining Latino Entrepreneurship for Value-Add to The Economy (ELEVATE)
Johnson Outdoors: Clean Earth Challenge
Mastercard: Deposit Return Scheme
Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA): Social Return on Investment Assessment of PEA’s Clean Energy for Communities Project
Sanofi, NationSwell, NACHW and Atlas Clarity: The Health in Action Collaborative: Strengthening Public Health With Community Health Workers
Education or Scholarship Program
EPAM Systems: A Commitment to Digital Inclusion and Lifelong Learning
Genesis Motor America: Imagination to Innovation: Genesis and Child Creativity Lab Expand Access to STEAM Education in Under-Resourced Communities
Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program: Market Development Initiative (MDI)
Summer: Student Debt Assistance Program for New York City’s Students and Graduates
Employee Engagement Campaign
Cloudera: Cloudera Cares: Empowering Cloudera Employees to Be Global Citizens
Harford Mutual Insurance Group: #HMIGgivesback Employee Engagement Campaign
Hyundai Motor America: Hyundai and Genesis: Progress With Purpose Corporate Social Responsibility Newsletter
Infoblox, Infoblox Giving Season 2025: BE Infoblox in Action
NBCU Telemundo Enterprises: EcoGreen Sustainability Program
Talking Rain Beverage Company: Rain Makers Making It Rain: Talking Rain’s Social Impact Journey
Employee Volunteer/Community Relations Program
Carol Cone on Purpose: Clean Earth Challenge
Honeywell: I Will With Honeywell
Hyundai Motor America: Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Hyundai and Northgate González Markets’ Turkey Giveaway Program
Infoblox: Infoblox Giving Season 2025: BE Infoblox in Action
International Motors: Social Impact
Ivanti: Ivanti VTO Program
Lam Research: Lam Social Impact
ESG Campaign
Enviri Corporation: ESG Team
Johnson Outdoors: Clean Earth Challenge
Fundraising and Philanthropic Initiative
ESPN: ESPN Presents the Road to Victory: A Multi-Format Storytelling Campaign to Unite Fans Against Cancer
Herbalife Family Foundation: Herbalife Family Foundation: Nourishing Brighter Futures Together
Jackson: Jackson Gives
Washington Area Fuel Fund: WAFF 2025: The Way to Warmth
PR Campaign
City of Oak Park: Juneteenth Jubilee PR Campaign
Progyny: National Infertility Awareness Week Campaign
Regeneron: STEM-Fueled: How Regeneron is Fueling Future Innovators
Public Health or Safety Initiative
Diageo: Take a Minute Make a Plan
Initium Health: Protect Your Tomorrow, Today.
Megaworld Foundation: Eye Care Mission: A Gift of Vision
Sanofi, NationSwell, NACHW and Atlas Clarity: The Health in Action Collaborative: Strengthening Public Health With Community Health Workers
Report (CSR, DEI and/or ESG — Print or Digital)
Aurora Organic Dairy: 2025 Sustainability Report
Cisco Foundation: 2025 Cisco Foundation Impact Report
Cloudera: Data Driven by Values
Enviri Corporation: ESG Team
PepsiCo Foundation: PepsiCo’s 2024 Global Social Impact Report
Sanofi, NationSwell, NACHW and Atlas Clarity: The Health in Action Collaborative: Strengthening Public Health With Community Health Workers
STO Building Group: STO Building Group Corporate Responsibility Report
TD SYNNEX: TD SYNNEX’s FY2024 Corporate Citizenship Report
Social Media Campaign
Aleatica Foundation for Road Safety: #NoTeHagas (#Don’tPretend)
Hyundai Hope on Wheels: Driving Hope Beyond the Road: Hyundai’s Mission to End Childhood Cancer
Initium Health: Protect Your Tomorrow, Today.
Video
Initium Health: Protect your tomorrow, today.
Megaworld Foundation: Dreams, Education and Success: Stories of Inspiration by Megaworld Foundation Alumni Scholars
SMUD: I Am Me. I Am SMUD.
SMUD: Student Outreach Video
Southern Company Gas: Buddy
Syngenta Group With Method Communications: “Soil, Sweat and Seeds”: Sustainable and Scalable Agriculture in Action
DEI CATEGORIES
Community Relations
Hyundai Motor America: Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Hyundai and Northgate González Markets’ Turkey Giveaway Program
LAIKA: Training & Partnerships
SoftServe
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment
Criteo
Prodalim: DE&I Prodalim Campaign
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Cloudera: Innovation Through Inclusion: Cloudera’s ERGs
Franklin Energy: Franklin Energy ERGs
MRI Software: ERG Initiative
Mentoring Program
Audible: Emerging Creators Programs
MRI Software: LEAP Mentorship Program: Expanding Access, Growth and Opportunity Through Global Mentorship
PEOPLE AND TEAMS
Professional of the Year
Amy Dupuis: Genmab
Brian Tippens: Cisco Systems
Team of the Year
Talking Rain Beverage Company: Rain Makers Making It Rain
TD SYNNEX: TD SYNNEX’s Community Relations Team
