Ozaukee Impact Awards
Ozaukee Nonprofit Center is excited to announce the return of the “Ozaukee Impact Awards”—an award ceremony that celebrates individuals, groups, and companies that epitomize the spirit of giving in 2026. The Ozaukee Impact Awards seek to recognize local change-makers and the impact they have had within our community.
Recognize local change-makers and the impact they’ve had on the community in any or all of the award categories listed:
- Community Collaboration of the Year
- Community Stewardship of the Year
- Nonprofit Emerging Leader of the Year
- Nonprofit of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Legacy Award
Registration for the Ozaukee Impact Awards opens June 3, 2026.
EVENT DETAILS
Event Date
July 23, 2026
Event Time
4:30pm – 7:00 PM
Event Location
Ozaukee Nonprofit Center
Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Award Sponsor
Dinner Sponsor
Certificate Sponsor
Dessert Sponsor
Sponsors of the Ozaukee Impact Awards play a key role in allowing this event to take place. As a sponsor, exposure and recognition are provided based on the level of support. For more information or questions regarding sponsorship, please email us at events@oznc.org
Nominations
Nominations for the Ozaukee Impact Awards (to be held Thursday, July 23, 2026) are now closed.
Those nominated will be contacted to complete a questionnaire. Their answers are considered by the judging committee. The judges’ decision is final. All eligible nominees will be acknowledged for their nomination, and winners will be announced at the Ozaukee Impact Awards.
Special consideration for the 2026 Impact Awards will be given to Ozaukee Nonprofit Center Member Organizations where applicable. Winners from the 2025 Ozaukee Impact Awards will not be eligible to receive the same award two years in a row but may be recognized in another category.
*PLEASE NOTE – awards are not based on the number of nominations.
We will present the following six awards for 2026:
Community Collaboration of the Year
Recognizes two or more volunteer groups or nonprofit organizations that collaborated on a local initiative or project that made an impact within the community.
Community Stewardship of the Year
Honors a corporation or business entity that has made a substantial impact in the community through monetary or in-kind donations, sponsorships, or employee volunteer programs.
Nonprofit Emerging Leader of the Year
Recognizes an individual who is an early or mid-career nonprofit professional who demonstrates a strong sense of vision, passion, and commitment to the community.
Nonprofit of the Year
Acknowledges an outstanding nonprofit organization for its service and mission-based success in 2025.
Volunteer of the Year
A volunteer who consistently went above and beyond this year in lending their time and expertise to a nonprofit organization.
Legacy Award
The Legacy Award honors an individual whose longstanding dedication, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on Ozaukee County and its communities. This award recognizes a deep, sustained commitment to strengthening the community and improving the lives of those who live and work within it.
2026 Ozaukee Impact Awards Nominees
Nonprofit Emerging Leader of the Year
- Barbara Bates Nelson – United Way of Northern Ozaukee
- Debra Bendt – Port Washington Lions Club
- Bill and Anne Conley – The Stagecoach Inn and Timber Club Restaurant
- Mike Cosgrove – Family Promise of Ozaukee County
- Sarah Decorah – Sirona Recovery
- Cassie Hammond – Warriors Way
- Rebecca Jackson – Balance, Inc.
- Leonard Johnson – Nourish & Heal Foundation
- Loretta Kryshak – Rebel Reform
- Kelsey Kultgen – Ozaukee County 4-H
- Sarah LaDuke – Community Service Navigator
- Todd Lanfried – Stand Up and Play
- Shannon McCann – Balance, Inc.
- Dr. Michael McMahon – Port Washington-Saukville School District
- Joel Miksch – Mequon Police Department and Advocates of Ozaukee
- Tobey Neuberger – Lillies of Hope
- Sally Wagner and Lauren O’Brien – Happy Place Cooking Space
- Olga Paramonova – Adult Literacy Center of Ozaukee County
- Tina Perry – Just Listen
- Alina Prahl – Riveredge Nature Center
- Daniel Shepherd – Balance, Inc.
- Lillian Short – Balance, Inc.
Nonprofit of the Year
- Adult Literary Center of Ozaukee County
- Balance, Inc.
- Blue Lotus Center
- Family Promise of Ozaukee County
- Just Listen
- Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center
- Luxembourg American Cultural Society & Center
- Ozaukee Food Alliance
- Riveredge Nature Center
- Warriors Way
Community Stewardship of the Year
- Ansay and Associates, Ansay Development, and Ansay International
- Bank Five Nine
- Carlson Tool & Mfg
- Just Listen
- Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary
- Port Washington State Bank
- The Stagecoach Inn and Timber Club Restaurant
- Trader Joe’s
- Witte’s Vegetable Farm LLC
- YogaOne Studio
Volunteer of the Year
- Grace Aiello – Movement Mentor – Balance, Inc.
- Joyce & Scott Brost – The Food Pantry, Inc.
- Miek De Graeve – Happy Place Cooking Space
- Jennifer Doughman – Mutt Life Dog Rescue of Cedarburg
- Alex Fritz – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ozaukee & PW Pride
- Susie Hoppe – Mel’s Charities
- Jean Horvath – Habitat for Humanity Ozaukee
- Carole Hynes – NAMI Ozaukee
- Dean Johnson – Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary
- Hope Kittel – Baskets Spreading Hope
- Joan Kloehn – Lasata Senior Living Campus
- Tom Krueger – Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County
- Kelsey Kultgen – Ozaukee 4-H
- Cheryl Lingle – Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice
- Sara Pashak – Ozaukee Food Alliance
- Tina Perry – Just Listen
- Chanel Schmidt – Port Washington State Bank
- Richard & Nicole Simon – Ozaukee 4-H
- Chris Surfus – Friends of the Grafton Public Library
Community Collaboration Award
- Community Services Navigator Program
- Warriors Way
- Just Listen
- PIGments for a Cause
- Happy Place Cooking Space/Blossom IDD
- Balance and Mel’s Charities
- Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary and Thiensville Mequon Rotary
- Family Sharing of Ozaukee County, The Food Pantry, Inc., Independence First
- Ozaukee Food Alliance and Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge
- Pirates Cove @ Port Washington High School
Legacy Award
- Mary Albrecht – Port Washington State Bank
- Barbara Bates Nelson – United Way of Northern Ozaukee
- Margaret Bussone – Friends of the Jonathan Clark House
- Bill and Anne Conley – The Stagecoach Inn and Timber Club Restaurant
- Joan Kloehn – Lasata Living Campus
- Cheryl Lingle – Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice
- Bill Moren – Port Washington Saukville Rotary, Kettle Moraine YMCA, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Restoring Lands, Port Washington
- Historical Society, Marine Life Sanctuary
- Dorothy Parchin – Ozaukee County 4-H
- Tina Perry – Just Listen
- Steve Peterman – Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary
- James Schowalter – Port Washington State Bank
- Donna Steffens – Habitat for Humanity of Ozaukee
- Carole Stuebe – Portal
Questions?
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