Call for Entries Deadline:

This program is now closed.

Learn more about current programs here.

Organizations across every industry are advancing their commitments to corporate social responsibility, sustainability and ethical leadership, and the Ragan’s CSR Awards recognize the work driving that transformation. This program honors the top CSR, ESG and DE&I initiatives creating meaningful, long-term impact for people, communities and the planet.

From environmental stewardship and responsible governance to employee engagement, community investment and inclusion efforts, these awards spotlight programs that set the standard for purpose-driven, socially conscious business. Whether your work strengthened stakeholder trust, advanced sustainability goals or supported underrepresented groups, this is where meaningful impact earns meaningful recognition.

With categories spanning CSR campaigns, ESG reporting, partnerships, volunteerism, DE&I programming, social impact storytelling, fundraising, leadership communication and more, the awards reflect the full spectrum of modern corporate responsibility. Entrants include global brands, nonprofits, agencies, government teams and emerging leaders advancing social, environmental and organizational progress.

Finalists will be recognized, and winners announced, at one of the most inspirational events of the year on September 30 at the Yale Club in New York City. It is a must-attend event.

If your work champions sustainability, corporate citizenship, inclusion or measurable community outcomes, now is the time to showcase it on a leading platform for CSR excellence. Entering Ragan’s CSR Awards elevates your achievements, strengthens your credibility and positions your organization as a leader in CSR, ESG and DE&I performance.

CATEGORIES

CSR & ESG CATEGORIES

 Cause Advocacy Campaign

Spotlighting campaigns that championed a social, environmental or community cause. These initiatives inspired awareness, action or policy change through compelling storytelling and strategic outreach.

 Community Affairs

Honoring efforts that strengthened relationships, resources or resilience within local or global communities. These programs demonstrated meaningful engagement and positive impact.

 Corporate-Community or Nonprofit Partnership

Recognizing collaborations between organizations and community or nonprofit partners that delivered shared value. These entries highlight partnership-driven impact, innovation and long-term commitment.

 Crisis Response

Celebrating programs or campaigns that addressed urgent challenges with clarity, compassion and leadership. These entries show how organizations upheld trust during moments that demanded swift, responsible action.

 CSR Campaign

Spotlighting purpose-driven campaigns that advanced corporate social responsibility goals. These initiatives aligned mission, values and impact to create meaningful change.

 CSR or ESG Event (Virtual or In Person)

Honoring events that elevated CSR or ESG priorities through education, engagement or activation. These include virtual or in-person experiences designed to inspire learning, alignment and progress.

 CSR or ESG Initiatives

Recognizing programs that advanced sustainability, ethical practices or social impact across the organization. These initiatives demonstrate commitment, innovation and measurable or emerging results.

 Education or Scholarship Program

Celebrating programs that expanded learning opportunities, improved access or supported academic advancement. These efforts contributed to long-term growth and community development.

 Employee Engagement Campaign

Honoring internal initiatives that connected, motivated or empowered employees around CSR or ESG priorities. These campaigns strengthened culture and inspired participation.

 Employee Volunteer/Community Relations Program

Recognizing programs that mobilized employees to give back. These initiatives highlight volunteerism, service and meaningful contributions to community well-being.

 Employer Branding & Activism

Spotlighting efforts that authentically communicated an organization’s values and societal commitments. These entries strengthened reputation and demonstrated purpose-led leadership.

 Environmental Stewardship

Honoring initiatives that advanced sustainability, conservation or environmental innovation. These efforts demonstrated responsible resource use and measurable or emerging ecological impact.

 ESG Campaign

Recognizing campaigns that communicated environmental, social or governance priorities with transparency and clarity. These initiatives elevated awareness, accountability and stakeholder trust.

 Fundraising and Philanthropic Initiative

Celebrating efforts that generated meaningful resources for communities, nonprofits or social causes. These entries highlight creativity, generosity and strategic impact.

 Measurement

Spotlighting data-driven approaches that demonstrated the effectiveness of CSR or ESG efforts. These entries show how insights, metrics and evaluation strengthened strategy and outcomes.

 Media Relations Campaign

Honoring PR efforts that elevated CSR or ESG stories through thoughtful media outreach. These campaigns secured meaningful coverage and shaped public dialogue.

 PR Campaign

Recognizing communications strategies that advanced social impact or organizational responsibility. These initiatives blended storytelling, strategy and engagement to influence perception and drive action.

 Public Affairs/Issues Management Campaign

Celebrating efforts that addressed policy, regulatory or societal issues with strategic communication. These entries highlight leadership, clarity and responsible advocacy.

 Public Health or Safety Initiative

Honoring initiatives that promoted well-being, safety or health equity within organizations or communities. These efforts demonstrated compassion, preparedness and positive influence.

 Report (CSR, DEI and/or ESG – Print or Digital)

Recognizing reports that communicated progress, purpose and transparency. These entries combined design, clarity and narrative to engage stakeholders around CSR, DEI or ESG performance.

 Research

Spotlighting studies or insights that informed CSR or ESG strategy. These entries demonstrate rigorous analysis and the power of knowledge in driving impact.

 Social Media Campaign

Honoring social campaigns that elevated CSR or ESG stories across platforms. These entries inspired conversation, awareness and community engagement.

 Stakeholder Engagement

Recognizing efforts that meaningfully connected stakeholders—internal or external—to CSR or ESG goals. These initiatives strengthened alignment, trust and shared purpose.

 Video

Celebrating videos that brought CSR or ESG stories to life with emotion, clarity and creativity. These entries demonstrated strong narrative and visual impact.

 Visual Design

Honoring design that elevated the communication of CSR or ESG messages. These entries combined aesthetics and strategy to enhance understanding and inspire connection.

DE&I CATEGORIES

 Community Relations

Honoring initiatives that strengthened relationships with diverse communities through authentic engagement, collaboration and support. These efforts fostered belonging and demonstrated commitment to equity beyond the organization.

 Cultural Celebration or Event

Recognizing events—virtual or in-person—that uplifted cultural identity, history or expression. These initiatives deepened understanding, celebrated diversity and strengthened inclusive culture.

 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment

Spotlighting organizations that demonstrated meaningful and sustained commitment to DE&I. These entries showcase clear goals, courageous action and authentic integration of equity into the organization’s culture and strategy.

 Event (Virtual or Live)

Honoring DE&I-focused events designed to educate, connect or inspire. These gatherings—large or small—advanced conversation, strengthened understanding and built community.

 Email/Newsletter Initiatives

Recognizing digital communication that advanced DE&I awareness, education or engagement. These efforts used thoughtful content to inform, connect and motivate audiences.

 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Celebrating ERGs that fostered belonging, leadership development and cultural understanding. These entries highlight programming, impact and the power of employee-led communities.

 Employer Branding & Activism

Spotlighting efforts that authentically communicated an organization’s DE&I values and actions. These initiatives strengthened reputation, demonstrated accountability and attracted talent aligned with the organization’s purpose.

 Executive Thought Leadership Initiatives

Honoring leaders who advanced DE&I through public voice, internal influence or strategic advocacy. These entries highlight how leadership shaped culture and inspired meaningful progress.

 Hiring Practices

Recognizing equitable talent strategies that improved representation, access and opportunity. These initiatives demonstrate inclusive recruiting, creative pipeline development or bias-aware selection processes.

 Inclusive Language Initiative

Spotlighting efforts that strengthened communication through intentional, respectful and inclusive language. These entries demonstrate how words can shape belonging, understanding and accessibility.

 Industry Partnerships/Alliances

Honoring collaborations that advanced DE&I across industries or sectors. These partnerships leveraged shared knowledge, resources and leadership to create broader impact.

 Intranet Strategy

Recognizing intranet experiences that supported DE&I education, visibility and engagement. These entries highlight platforms that integrated inclusion into everyday communication and culture.

 Leadership Communication

Celebrating communication from organizational leaders that championed DE&I values with clarity, transparency and authenticity. These initiatives reinforced trust and set the tone for inclusive culture.

 Marketing Programs

Honoring marketing efforts that reflected and celebrated diverse audiences, perspectives and identities. These campaigns demonstrated cultural understanding, inclusive storytelling and authentic representation.

 Media Relations

Spotlighting PR efforts that elevated DE&I stories, programs or commitments. These entries secured meaningful coverage and contributed to public dialogue on equity and inclusion.

 Mentoring Program

Recognizing programs that expanded access, growth and opportunity through mentorship. These initiatives supported career development and strengthened pathways for underrepresented talent.

 Social Media Initiatives

Celebrating social content that advanced DE&I awareness, education or advocacy. These initiatives fostered connection, conversation and community across platforms.

 Training

Honoring educational programs that deepened understanding of DE&I concepts, skills or behaviors. These initiatives advanced learning, influenced culture and empowered individuals to contribute to meaningful change.

PEOPLE AND TEAMS

 Agency of the Year

Honoring agencies that delivered exceptional leadership, creativity and impact across CSR, ESG or DE&I initiatives. These organizations demonstrated strategic vision, measurable results and a commitment to purpose-driven work that elevated clients, communities and industry standards.

 Professional of the Year

Recognizing an individual whose leadership, expertise and dedication advanced meaningful progress in CSR, ESG or DE&I. This professional exemplifies innovation, integrity and influence, driving initiatives that created measurable change and inspired others.

 Team of the Year

Celebrating in-house or agency teams that transformed collaboration into outstanding results. These groups demonstrated strategic alignment, creativity and shared purpose in advancing CSR, ESG or DE&I priorities, setting a benchmark for collective impact and excellence.

HOW TO ENTER

All entries must be submitted through the online entry form. You’ll be prompted to select:

    • The category or categories in which you’d like to enter.
    • Complete a brief entry summary on the online entry form
    • And upload supporting materials, such as visuals, analytics, press coverage or links to your work.

Download the Entry Kit for all the details you’ll need to complete a successful entry.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

These awards are open to in-house, agency and independent communication practitioners in the private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Enter your work, the work of your organization or submit entries on behalf of your client.

Companies from around the world are welcome to enter as long as the entry is submitted in English.

Contact Brendan Gannon to find the perfect category for your campaign or project. You can email him at [email protected] or call 312-960-4407.

ENTRY FEES

The fee for this program is $550 per entry.

A late fee of $325 per entry will be added to all entries received after 11:59 p.m. Central time, March 6, 2026.

Do you have a campaign, project, individual or team you'd like to enter into multiple categories? Pay the original entry fee, and then only $250 for each additional category!

All entries are non-returnable and non-refundable.

W-9 Form / Tax ID Number Request

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD I APPLY?
The CSR Awards honor the initiatives, programs and teams driving meaningful progress in corporate social responsibility, sustainability, governance and inclusion. Winners gain prominent visibility across Ragan and PR Daily platforms, a custom winner profile showcasing their impact, a prestigious trophy validating their leadership and lasting recognition among peers, stakeholders and industry influencers.
WHO CAN ENTER THESE AWARDS?
Entries are open to organizations, agencies and individuals worldwide. The program welcomes in-house teams, as well as agencies, nonprofits, academic institutions, government entities and associations—anyone advancing social, environmental or organizational responsibility. All entries must be submitted in English.
CAN I ENTER TWO OR MORE CATEGORIES?
Absolutely. Entrants are encouraged to submit their work in multiple categories, especially if initiatives span CSR, ESG and DE&I disciplines. Each entry is evaluated independently, and discounted pricing applies to second and subsequent submissions, offering more opportunities to highlight your organization’s impact.
WHAT DO THE JUDGES LOOK FOR IN ENTRIES?
Judges look for work that demonstrates clear goals, strategic alignment, responsible leadership, creativity and measurable or emerging impact. Strong entries explain the challenge addressed, outline the approach taken, show originality, provide evidence of outcomes and include supporting materials such as visuals, reports, metrics, assets or links illustrating the program’s effectiveness.
WHY ARE SOME DEADLINES EXTENDED?
Deadlines may be extended to accommodate high submission volume and ensure that all outstanding CSR, ESG and DE&I work has the opportunity to be entered. Extensions also allow entrants additional time to gather materials, secure approvals and finalize submissions.
WHEN WILL I FIND OUT THE RESULTS?
Entrants will be notified of their status approximately three months after the final entry deadline. Finalists and winners will be celebrated at a special industry event on September 30 at the Yale Club in New York City.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions about the program or problems submitting your entry, please email Brendan Gannon at [email protected].

Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in sponsoring one of Ragan Communications’ award programs, please contact Morgan Einspanier at [email protected]. 

 

Ragan Communications is not responsible for international shipping fees related to trophies or certificates.