Nonprofit Excellence Awards
Celebrating outstanding nonprofit organizations, leaders, and volunteers whose impact strengthens and elevates the nonprofit sector.
Recognizing Exemplary Nonprofits & Professionals.
The Nonprofit Excellence Awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of nonprofit professionals, organizations, and volunteers in our community. Join us in honoring those who make a difference, inspire others, and exemplify the highest standards in nonprofit excellence.
About the Awards
The Nonprofit Excellence Awards highlight the achievements of individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to strengthen our community. Each year, these awards bring together nonprofit professionals, supporters, and advocates for an inspiring celebration of leadership, innovation, and dedication. Honorees are celebrated through a formal ceremony during the fourth week in June,
Celebrate Nonprofits Week.
Congratulations 2026 Honorees!
Crawford County Mental Health Awareness Program, Inc. (CHAPS)
Nonprofit of the Year
Sarah A. Reed
Children's Center
Best Place to Work
Matthew Platz
Corry Higher Education Council
CEO of the Year
Kathryn DiVittorio
DiVittorio Center for Autism &
Corry Higher Education Council
Young Professional of the Year
Ann Bucceri
Because You Care
Volunteer of the Year
Jim Ohrn
Presbyterian Senior Care Network
Best Place to Work
Nonprofit Excellence Awards Breakfast
Join The Nonprofit Partnership on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 (during the seventh annual Celebrate Nonprofits Week!) to celebrate our honorees.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 9-11 AM | 1020 Collective, 1020 Holland St, Erie, PA 16501
$50 per person or $375 per table of 8
Previous Honorees
Each year, the Nonprofit Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the organizations, leaders, and volunteers who exemplify dedication, innovation, and impact across our nonprofit community. Our previous honorees represent a wide range of missions and roles, yet they share a common commitment to strengthening our region and advancing meaningful change. We are proud to recognize and celebrate their lasting contributions to the nonprofit sector.
For our sixth year (2025), we recognized:
- CEO of the Year – Katie Kretz, MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center
- Best Place to Work – Achievement Center of LECOM Health
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance – Gary Borowy, Harborcreek Youth Services
- Young Professional of the Year – Casey Corritore, Erie Arts and Culture
- Volunteer of the Year – Timothy Campbell, Community Blood Bank
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Chuck Walczak, Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc. (EHCA) (retired)
For our fifth year (2024), we recognized:
- Nonprofit of the Year - expERIEnce Children's Museum
- CEO of the Year - Jennie Hagerty, Mercy Center for Women
- Best Place to Work - Northwest Institute of Research/JAM Team Foundation
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - Candace Battles, Our West Bayfront
- Young Professionals of the Year - Jackie Wassel, Erie Cancer Wellness Center AND Chantel Rodriguez, WQLN PBS NPR
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion - Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System (MHEDS)
- Service for the Soul - Nathaniel Wasserman (Erie Insurance), North Star Mentoring - Family Services of NW PA
For our fourth year (2023), we recognized:
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - William (Bill) Miller III, Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of NW PA
- Nonprofit of the Year - Impact Corry
- CEO of the Year - Daria Devlin, Erie Center for Arts & Technology
- Lifetime Achievement - Ann Scott, Erie Insurance (ret.)
For our third year (2022), we recognized:
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - Ed Goebel, Community Country Day School
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Erie Arts & Culture
- Nonprofit of the Year - WQLN PBS NPR
- Best Place to Work - Erie Humane Society
- CEO of the Year - Rina Irwin, Child Development Centers, Inc.
For our second year (2021), we recognized:
- Charles H. Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - Tim Hunter, McInnes Rolled Rings and past Board Chair with The Erie Community Foundation
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
- Nonprofit of the Year - Asbury Woods
- Best Place to Work - Crime Victim Center of Erie County
- CEO of the Year - Karen Musante, Foundation for Free Enterprise Education
For our first year (2020), we recognized:
- CEO of the Year - Michael Robb, Alliance for Nonprofit Resources
- Nonprofit of the Year - YMCA of Greater Erie
- Best Place to Work - Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc.
- Young Professional of the Year - Cassie Dundon, Achievement Center
- Lifetime Achievement - Michael Batchelor, The Erie Community Foundation
August 13, 2025
The Rise of Gen Z in Nonprofits: Purpose-Driven Careers and Fresh Perspectives
by Regan Ganoe, Operations & Events Assistant - The Nonprofit Partnership
Gen Z is reshaping the nonprofit sector with fresh ideas, social justice passion, and a drive to lead meaningful change.
Read More ⇢
May 12, 2025
The ROI of Nonprofit Assessment: It’s More Than Just Numbers
by Adam Bratton, Executive Director - The Nonprofit Partnership
Organizational assessments often get a bad rap—but when done right, they cut through the noise, refocus your team on the mission, and turn reflection into real, strategic growth.
Read More ⇢
March 3, 2025
Hitting a Home Run With Your Annual Fundraising Plan
by Jeff Bagel, CFRE - eAdvancement Consulting
A strong annual fundraising plan (AFP) helps nonprofits work smarter and stay mission-focused. Join Jeff Bagel on May 14 to refine your AFP and boost your impact!
Read More ⇢
What Our Client Say
The Nonprofit Partnership is the premier resource for nonprofits in our area. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible. The online resources & educational sessions are informative and provide help conveniently. Whether you're starting out in the nonprofit sector, or have been working for decades, the NPP helps keep you up to date & relevant.
LEEANN KRAHE, CTRS
Director of Activities & Volunteer Services
Pleasant Ridge Manor & The Friends Forever Volunteers
With so many non-profits in Erie County, it is great to have resources and collaboration available through the Erie Non-Profit Partnership. I have attended several of the Nonprofit Partnership Day Seminars and I look forward to the content each year. With changes in policy and technology trends, it is also nice to have access to learning opportunities throughout the year. It is really nice to have a centralized organization to assist with our varying needs. Thank you!
MAUREEN RIZZO
Director of Development – Brevillier Village
Each of the (many) trainings that I have attended through The Nonprofit Partnership over the past… years has provided a valuable resource for professional development opportunity for staff and Board Members to the overall benefit of our organization [the Foundation for Sustainable Forests]. NPP trainings are focused, relevant and on-point for the needs of a small non-profit organization such as ours.
ANNIE SOCCI, PhD
Executive Director – The Foundation for Sustainable Forests
What Our Client Say
The Nonprofit Partnership is the premier resource for nonprofits in our area. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible. The online resources & educational sessions are informative and provide help conveniently. Whether you're starting out in the nonprofit sector, or have been working for decades, the NPP helps keep you up to date & relevant.
LEEANN KRAHE, CTRS
Director of Activities & Volunteer Services
Pleasant Ridge Manor & The Friends Forever Volunteers
With so many non-profits in Erie County, it is great to have resources and collaboration available through the Erie Non-Profit Partnership. I have attended several of the Nonprofit Partnership Day Seminars and I look forward to the content each year. With changes in policy and technology trends, it is also nice to have access to learning opportunities throughout the year. It is really nice to have a centralized organization to assist with our varying needs. Thank you!
MAUREEN RIZZO
Director of Development – Brevillier Village
Each of the (many) trainings that I have attended through The Nonprofit Partnership over the past… years has provided a valuable resource for professional development opportunity for staff and Board Members to the overall benefit of our organization [the Foundation for Sustainable Forests]. NPP trainings are focused, relevant and on-point for the needs of a small non-profit organization such as ours.
ANNIE SOCCI, PhD
Executive Director – The Foundation for Sustainable Forests