From food pantries in public schools to advocacy for older adults and support services for veterans, several Worcester and Central Massachusetts organizations are drawing statewide recognition through the 2026 Massachusetts Nonprofit Excellence Awards.
The Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits announced this year’s finalists this week, highlighting 30 organizations and nonprofit professionals plucked from more than 150 nominations submitted across the state.
Among the finalists with Worcester-area ties are Worcester-based organizations Senior Connection and the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, along with Juniper Outreach, which operates food pantries in Worcester public schools, and Veterans Inc.’s Samuel Perrone. Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area, based in Fitchburg, was also named a finalist.
The awards, which have been presented since 2009, recognize nonprofit organizations and leaders across categories including advocacy, innovation, community-building and leadership.
“MCN’s Nonprofit Excellence Awards recognize nonprofits, and nonprofit leaders, who are doing outstanding work in these challenging times,” Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits CEO Jim Klocke told the Worcester Guardian.
The Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, a finalist in the Excellence in Community-Building category, has become an increasingly visible voice in Worcester and statewide conversations around equity, leadership development and civic engagement. Founded in 2015, the organization recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at an event at the College of the Holy Cross that honored political, educational and community leaders from across Massachusetts.
Senior Connection, another Worcester-based finalist, was recognized in the Excellence in Advocacy category. The organization has provided services for older adults in Central Massachusetts since 1974, including transportation, nutrition programs, legal assistance and crisis intervention.
Juniper Outreach, a finalist in the small nonprofit category, focuses on addressing food insecurity by distributing meals, snacks and essential items through local public schools to students and families in need across Worcester.
Veterans Inc., headquartered in Worcester, also earned recognition through finalist Samuel Perrone in the Excellence by a Young Professional category. The organization provides housing assistance, behavioral healthcare, employment support and other services to veterans and their families throughout New England and beyond.
According to the Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits, finalists were selected through a review and scoring process conducted by an independent panel of judges made up of nonprofit and business leaders. Winners are announced later this month ahead of the June 17 awards ceremony at the New England Aquarium in Boston.
This year’s finalist pool also includes organizations from Boston, Amherst, Waltham and other communities across Massachusetts, reflecting the broad reach of the state’s nonprofit sector.
But the Worcester-area presence stood out, particularly in categories focused on grassroots community work and direct service efforts.
The awards ceremony begins with a reception on Wednesday, June 17, at 5:45 p.m., followed by the formal program at 6:30 p.m.
