Deadline: December 3, 2025
Are you leading a mission-driven organization creating scalable social or environmental change? The F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Impact 2026 is now open for applications — offering USD 150,000 in unrestricted funding to help exceptional enterprises amplify their proven impact.
This annual global prize recognizes and supports organizations demonstrating clear evidence of social or environmental success, readiness to scale, and visionary leadership.
About the F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Impact 2026
The F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Impact 2026 honors the legacy of the F. M. Kirby Foundation by investing in innovative enterprises that are poised to expand their reach and deepen their influence. The prize is administered by CASE at Duke University, a global leader in social impact education and research.
The winning organization receives USD 150,000 in unrestricted funds to accelerate its growth and impact. The prize seeks to amplify and celebrate organizations scaling sustainable solutions that improve lives and protect the planet.
Who Can Apply
The F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Impact 2026 is open to enterprises worldwide, regardless of geography or legal structure (nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid). Applicants must meet the following key criteria:
Eligibility Requirements
- Demonstrated strong evidence of impact over at least three years.
- A clear and actionable plan to use the prize funding to scale impact over the next 3–5 years.
- A minimum operating budget of USD 250,000.
- Historically, the strongest applicants have budgets between USD 1–3 million.
- International applicants (those based outside the U.S.) must have an established presence in the United States — either as a U.S. taxpayer, through a fiscal sponsor, or via legal recognition under the U.S. tax code.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities such as integrity, resilience, collaboration, diversity, and proximity to the communities or issues served.
Selection and Evaluation Criteria
Applications are evaluated across three core dimensions that reflect the prize’s mission of identifying scalable, high-impact solutions.
1. Impact
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Proven effectiveness and measurable outcomes of their solution.
- Clear evidence of demand and need for the intervention.
- Both the depth and breadth of impact achieved to date.
2. Readiness to Scale
- A well-defined strategy for how scaling will occur.
- Identification of which aspects of the model must be preserved to maintain quality and effectiveness.
- Tested and viable pathways for growth and replication.
3. Leadership and Team
- Strong, value-driven leadership demonstrating integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and resilience.
- Teams that prioritize equity and diversity, ensuring that scaling efforts are ethical, sustainable, and community-driven.
Prize Value
- USD 150,000 in unrestricted funding (i.e., no restrictions on how the money can be spent, as long as it supports scaling impact).
- Global recognition and visibility through CASE at Duke University’s global network.
- Access to learning and support resources to strengthen scaling strategy and sustainability.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: December 3, 2025.
- Shortlisted finalists will be contacted for further review and due diligence before the final award announcement in 2026.
Tips for a Successful Application
To increase your chances of being selected for the F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Impact 2026, consider the following:
- Strengthen your impact evidence — Present verifiable data, third-party evaluations, testimonials, and long-term outcomes.
- Clarify your scaling pathway — Highlight what works, what must stay consistent, and how the model can grow sustainably.
- Show your leadership’s credibility — Share stories that reflect integrity, inclusivity, and proximity to the communities you serve.
- Demonstrate financial readiness — Ensure your organization’s financial records and operating budget meet the prize’s criteria.
- Establish your U.S. presence (if applicable) — Prepare legal or fiscal sponsorship documents ahead of time.
- Start early — The process involves multiple supporting documents, so don’t wait until the last minute.
How to Apply
All applications are submitted via the official online portal hosted by CASE at Duke.
Applicants are encouraged to review all instructions carefully before submission.
Need Help Preparing Your Application?
If you need expert guidance to draft, refine, or review your proposal for the F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Impact 2026,
contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
