35 inspirational mission-driven organizations and changemakers selected out of record 947 submissions from 68 countries RESTON, Va., Sept. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Public Interest Registry (PIR), the People behind .ORG, today named the finalists for the 4th annual .ORG Impact Awards. The program honors and celebrates inspiring mission-driven organizations and leaders from around the globe that not only demonstrate a passion for making the world a better place, but also work tirelessly to create a positive impact in their communities. "The 2022 .ORG Impact Awards finalists represent the best of humanity. They are devoted to addressing the most critical issues facing society today," said Jon Nevett, President and CEO of Public Interest Registry. "We received a record number of submissions from across the world. We are thrilled to have the privilege of recognizing some of today's most inspiring champions for change-those who are working to increase access to healthcare and education, championing diversity, supporting those in poverty, tackling climate change, and much more. The work of these organizations illustrates the power of those who have committed to creating a more healthy, equitable, and sustainable world for all." This year's finalists represent the top five entries across seven award categories: Community Building Quality Education for All Environmental Stewardship Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Health and Healing Hunger and Poverty Rising Stars (leaders, under 25, making a difference in their communities) Winners in these award categories, including the prestigious .ORG of the Year, will be announced as part of the .ORG Impact Awards celebration on November 15th. Award winners will be eligible for donations up to $45,000 USD out of $105,000 in total prize awards. Each category winner will receive $10,000, and the .ORG of the Year winner-selected by PIR from the seven category award winners-will receive an additional donation of $35,000. "The credibility that accompanies winning this award has opened doors and allowed us to meet organizations that would otherwise have not engaged with Zoe Empowers," said John Boswell, Chief Operating Officer of Zoe Empowers, a 2021 OIA winner. "In the past year, we have had the honor to present at the Skoll World Forum, have received a grant from the Keep a Child Alive Foundation and are currently engaged in discussion to expand to additional countries. Being a 2021 winner is validation of our work and lends credibility that opens doors." The 947 organizations and individuals who submitted entries this year were reviewed and scored by a panel of judges who are leaders in the Internet, non-profit, health, education, and marketing sectors. All nominations must be tied to an active website with a .ORG domain. Please visit www.orgimpactawards.org for complete rules and information. 2022.ORG Impact Award Finalists Community Building Gravity Water Gravitywater.orgGravity Water turns rain into safe drinking water for schools in need around the world. Together We Rise Togetherwerise.orgTogether We Rise is an organization of motivated young adults and former foster youth that work to improve the lives of children in foster care, who often find themselves forgotten and neglected by the public. Nostos Homes Nostoshomes.orgNostos Homes is a youth-led non-profit that designs and builds innovative, affordable, and sustainable homes for communities displaced due to natural disasters or violent conflict. Kageno Worldwide Kageno.orgKageno's mission is to transform impoverished communities into places of hope and opportunity. Kageno works with community leaders to develop programs in four key areas of Education, Healthcare, Income Generation, and Conservation. Goonj Goonj.orgGoonj envisions to grow as an idea across regions, economies, and countries using urban discard as a tool to alleviate poverty and enhance the dignity of the underprivileged people of the world. Goonj works to address basic but neglected issues of the poor by involving them in evolving their own solutions with dignity and urban material as reward. Quality Education for All Hello World Projecthelloworld.orgHello World's paradigm-busting solution to the education deficit tackles the twin injustices of lack of educational resources in remote and last-mile communities and the digital divide. Asia Initiatives Asiainitiatives.orgAsia Initiatives works to leverage the power of social capital to promote healthcare, education, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development in underserved communities with a particular focus on women and their families. School the World Schooltheworld.orgSchool the World is a community-driven non-profit committed to solving extreme poverty through the power of education. The Citizens Foundation USA Tcfusa.orgThe Citizens Foundation USA supports the education of underprivileged children in Pakistan. Asante Africa Foundation Asanteafrica.orgAsante Africa Foundation is a social impact organization educating children and transforming worlds in east Africa through academic support, life skills training, livelihood skill development, and opportunity creation. Environmental Stewardship Human-I-T Human-i-t.orgHuman-I-T creates equitable access to opportunity by providing devices, internet access, digital skills training, and tech support for communities left on the wrong side of the digital divide and empowers businesses and organizations to do good by diverting their unwanted technology away from landfills. Wallowa Resources Wallowaresources.orgThriving rural communities need strong economies, wholehearted commitment to taking care of the land and water, and top-notch learning opportunities. Wallowa's mission is to empower rural communities to create strong economies and healthy landscapes through land stewardship, education, and job creation. They accomplish this by working together with the community, partners, and you. Missoula Urban Demonstration Project (MUD) Mudproject.orgSince its creation in 1981, the Missoula Urban Demonstration Project (MUD) has been a community organization focused on creating equitable communities and a sustainable urban environment. TIP SESSIONS CHARITABLE TRUST Tipsessions.orgTip Sessions leverages design, technology, lingual, and regional context to achieve climate and gender justice through a two-pronged approach of climate education and economic empowerment of rural women. Thaki Thaki.orgThaki works to empower refugee and vulnerable children to access education technology solutions, enhance digital literacy, develop future focused skills, and support personal enrichment and resiliency to overcome poverty. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pro Mujer Promujer.orgPro Mujer has been working to advance gender equality in Latin America for over 32 years. It provides underserved women with financial inclusion, skilling opportunities and health services in order for them to reach their full potential, become agents of change, and improve their living conditions. JustLeadershipUSA Jlusa.orgJustLeadershipUSA is the only national criminal legal reform organization founded by and led by formerly incarcerated people. Last Mile Education Fund Lastmile-ed.orgLast Mile Education Fund invests in striving low-income underrepresented students pursuing high-demand STEM degrees, increasing diversity in technology and innovation, and creating social mobility for the students and their families. Interaction Institute for Social Change Interactioninstitute.orgFor 30 years, the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC) has built collaborative capacity in individuals, organizations, and networks working for social justice and racial equity. Out Youth Outyouth.orgOut Youth serves Central Texas LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies with programs and services to ensure these promising young people develop into happy, healthy, successful adults. Health and Healing Help Our Wounded Foundation Howfoundationsf.orgHelp Our Wounded improves the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities by advocating for and providing access to life-changing hyperbari