Into the Seven Causes That Shape The Anthem Awards
An umbrella for all Anthem Awards categories, our core causes reflect the seven sectors that shape today’s impact work.
Today, activists, brands, nonprofits, and agencies are tackling a complex set of issues—from climate disasters to technology’s diminishing guardrails to humanitarian crises. The Anthem Awards was founded in 2021 by examining the most pressing issues areas that impact global society.
These were distilled into seven cause areas that the Anthem Awards accepts work in: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; Education, Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology and Sustainability, Environment & Climate.
These seven causes are the cornerstones of the Anthem Awards. And we recognize purpose-driven work that addresses each cause in five areas: Awareness, Fundraising & Resource Development, Community Engagement, Product, Innovation or Service and Team & Internal Initiatives.
Below, learn more about what our seven causes mean and where your work fits. To Champion Your Resilience and amplify the ways you’re impacting the world, enter the 5th Annual Anthem Awards by the Extended Entry Deadline on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Centering the voices of underrepresented groups is critical to forcing positive change. Amidst new challenges in the sector, we celebrate those who continue to build in ways that are representative and inclusive of different identities. With this cause, we amplify work that protects, uplifts, or creates equity for historically marginalized identities, focusing on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, economic status and more.
Past Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging winners include Code My Crown by Daniel J Edelman Ltd, The Future of Work is Neurodiverse by Instrument, Be Seen by Planned Parenthood, Our New South by Next Chapter Podcasts, Just Hold On by Victim Services of Durham Region, The Outsider Moving Art & Film Festival by Hers is Ours, and more.
See the full list of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Winners here. Learn more about our new categories here.
Education, Art & Culture
Education is often a catalyst for social change, as it provides communities with knowledge, language and the proper tools. Equally important, the arts act as a powerful tool to bring progressive ideas to the masses. With our Education, Art & Culture cause, we recognize work that makes learning possible for students of all backgrounds, promotes artistic and cultural excellence and preserves cultural heritage. Work may include education initiatives, policy reform or youth services, promotion of the arts, and preservation of public spaces or heritage celebrations.
Past Education, Art & Culture Winners include: Harlem Is Everywhere by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Facing Life by Pulitzer Center, The Doula Expo by Mama Glow LLC, Food for Education by Skoll Foundation and Virtual Choir of Joy by October Project.
See the full list of Education, Art & Culture Winners here. Learn more about our categories here.
Health
The world has made strides in modern medicine, but is ways away from achieving true health equity. With our Health cause, we celebrate work that provides the greatest number of people to chance to be healthy—from awareness campaigns to culturally competent healthcare, and innovations in health technologies.
Past Health Winners include: LEAD FROM BEHIND – SH*T TALK by Colorectal Cancer Alliance, See My Skin by Edelman, Made to Save by Creative Alliance at Civic Nation, Support Harm Reduction by Vital Strategies and more.
See the full list of Health Winners here. Learn more about our categories here.
Human & Civil Rights
Today, many marginalized groups around the world continue to have their rights infringed upon, both by governments and individuals. With our Human & Civil Rights cause, we honor work that protects, defends and advances the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality regardless of their identities. Projects can take the form of civic engagement efforts, progressive policies, media campaigns and art addressing this cause, and more.
Past Human & Civil Rights include: The Disability Justice Project, Student Voting Heat Maps: Young People Can Swing Elections by Civic Influencers, Mama Dragons, The Bills by Havas New York, Silenced: Solitary Confinement by Zealous, One Percent for America by Oomph, Inc. and more.
See the full list of Human & Civil Rights Winners here. Learn more about our categories here.
Humanitarian Action & Services
Many organizations, companies and individual advocates are tackling humanitarian crises with aid and community-first approach. With our Humanitarian Action & Services cause, we recognize work that answers the call to relieve human suffering made by environmental, political and social conditions. Projects can include providing relief during public health crises, addressing local and global poverty, campaigns against human trafficking, and more.
Winners include: Leadership in Times of Crisis by International Rescue Committee, charity: water Water Sensor by charity: water, Casa During Crisis, Human Interest Films Inc., Stand Up for Ukraine by Global Citizen and more.
See the full list of Humanitarian Action & Services Winners here. Learn more about our categories here.
Responsible Technology
While at the precipice of a new era for technology, it’s imperative that we build in ways the mitigates potential harm. With our Responsible Technology cause, we honor efforts by businesses, agencies, tech companies and government organizations to innovate in more responsible ways. Projects can include mitigating harms exacerbated by technology, aligning technological innovation with public interest, awareness campaigns, products and more.
Past Responsible Technology Winners include: #StudentsNotProducts by Human Rights Watch, Jigsaw — Info Interventions by DEPT®, Camera Switches by Google, descrybe.ai and more.
See the full list of Responsible Technology Winners here. Learn more about our categories here.
Sustainability, Environment & Climate
Addressing climate change is arguably the most critical social issue of today. Our Sustainably, Environment & Climate cause amplifies the work of organizations and companies to reduce their impact on the environment, build sustainably, support climate action policy and address this growing crisis holistically. Projects should consider the disproportionate impact of the climate emergency on marginalized communities, on the planet and its species, as well as sustainable and circular efforts.
Past Sustainability, Climate & Environment Winners include: All Of Us by World Economic Forum, Plastic on the Ganges by National Geographic Society, Climate Shift Index by Climate Central, The Financial Times Climate Game by WONGDOODY and more.
See the full list of Sustainability, Climate & Environment Winners here. Learn more about our categories here.
The Anthem Awards amplifies the breadth of ways people are sparking global change across these seven issue areas. Are you creating work that tackles the seven causes? Champion your efforts in the 5th Annual Anthem Awards!
To enter, submit your work by the Extended Entry Deadline on Friday, September 19th.
