For 10 years, the Shorty Impact Awards have celebrated the brands, agencies, nonprofits, creators, and changemakers who meet moments of crisis with creativity, courage, and clarity of purpose.
This year, we invite you to help shape the next chapter.
History Shows Us: Crisis Creates Opportunity
Outsized progress in history shares one origin story - someone stared into the abyss…and saw the inflection point in crisis:
- The Great Depression → Social Security Act and 40-hour work week
- 1960s smog crisis → Clean Air Act and 2-year increase in US life expectancy
- COVID pandemic → mRNA vaccines and 3M lives saved/year
For 10 years, Shorty Impact winners have turned crises into creative fuel:
- Airbnb (2016 winner in Emergency Relief) → 1.6M free nights, 250K conflict and natural disaster refugees housed in 135 countries
- "Prepare for Misuse" (2023 winner in PSA) → More than 80 Gun Safety policies passed in 2023
- SmileTrain (2024 winner in Research Report) → One $400 cleft surgery puts back as much as $60,000 into the local economy
The DECADE FORWARD
As we launch the 10th Annual Shorty Impact Awards, we introduce the Decade Forward Challenge - a call to action for the changemakers of today and tomorrow:
⏩ Restore trust and respectful civil discourse to combat polarization
⏩ Maximize the well-being and potential of humanity and the planet
⏩ Overcome scarcity mindsets with equity and prosperity for all
➕ Share your boldest idea to build a better world
What’s New This Season
11 New Categories
Impact always evolves, and so do we.
This year, 11 new categories have been added to expand the lens and better reflect today's evolving landscape of social change. These additions capture the tools, platforms, and approaches that are actively reshaping how meaningful progress happens in our current moment.
Cause Category Group:
- Responsible Technology: spotlighting innovations that promote ethical, equitable tech solutions
- Other Causes: celebrating bold and unconventional initiatives that don’t fit into one box
Strategy & Engagement Category Group:
- Integration with Traditional Media: celebrating work that bridges digital and traditional channels to amplify impact across all platforms
- Use of Viral Content: spotlighting campaigns that turn viral trends into meaningful actions and social change.
Content & Design Category Group:
- Brand Voice: honoring work that uses tone, language, and point of view to deepen a mission and connect with audiences
- Email & Newsletter: celebrating innovative use of the inbox as a tool for storytelling, engagement, and building community
- Gamification: spotlighting creative work that leverages play, interaction, and fun to motivate change
- Medium Length Video: honoring powerful visual storytelling that finds its sweet spot in the 3-10 minute range.
… and more. Browse the full category list.
New Faces to The Jury
This year, we've brought together an exceptional jury panel of sharp, purpose-driven leaders spanning brands, nonprofits, agencies, and technology.
With diverse expertise and backgrounds, they will evaluate entries through multiple lenses and ensure a thorough and thoughtful assessment of the most impactful, innovative work.
Meet some of the new faces joining the jury:
- Brandon Smithwrick - Director of Content & Creative, Kickstarter
- Jessalin Lam - VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Digitas Health
- Matt Prince - Head of Earned Media & Social, KFC
- Aleen Dreksler - Co-Founder & CEO, Betches Media
- Eric Jacks - Chief Strategy Officer, Collab, Inc.
And more to be announced in the months to come.
The Next Decade Starts Now
As we celebrate this 10th-year milestone, we’re not only reflecting on 10 years of impact, but also defining what the next 10 will look like.
Climate collapse. AI disruption. Democratic backsliding. The crises are real, but so are the opportunities.
The past decade proved that impact is possible. The next must prove it’s inevitable. It’s time we wrote the history: Outbuild, Outlast, Out-impact.
Submissions for the 10th Annual Shorty Impact Awards are now open.
Let’s push forward when others pull back. Enter now.
