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The Greater Purpose Awards celebrate outstanding individuals, organisations, and initiatives that are driving social purpose and community impact across Canada. These awards recognise leadership, innovation, and measurable impact, honouring those who are embedding purpose into their strategies and shaping the next generation of business.
More Than an Award - A Movement
This is more than an awards ceremony—it’s a milestone moment for Canada’s purpose-driven economy. The Greater Purpose Awards bring together trailblazers and changemakers who are redefining success through social purpose.
Award recipients will be recognized on stage at the Greater Purpose Conference in Toronto, gaining national visibility and joining a growing community of leaders who are inspiring others through their work.
Want to see what this community looks like? Learn more about the 2025 Winners here.
Why Apply?
- Claim Your Place in a National Movement - The Greater Purpose Awards don’t just put you on a stage—they place you inside Canada’s defining community for purpose-led business. Being recognised here signals that your leadership is shaping what comes next.
- Connect with Your People - Join a national network of purpose-driven professionals and organisations who understand exactly what you’re doing and why it matters.
- Amplify What You’re Already Building - Award recipients gain national visibility through press coverage, social campaigns, and a platform at the Greater Purpose Conference—so the work you’re already doing can inspire the next generation of leaders.
2026 Award Categories:
The 2026 program represents a significant expansion - growing from 3 categories to 7 - to more comprehensively reflect the many ways purpose leadership shows up across Canadian business.
- Social Purpose Leader Award
- Innovative Impact Partnership Award
- Outstanding Social Purpose Company (Small/Medium/Large)
- Social Purpose CEO of the Year Award (Small/Medium/Large)
- Emerging Social Purpose Leader (Under 40)
- Purpose Reporting Award
- Purpose Storytelling Award
Recognition Levels: Each category will recognise one (1) Winner and up to three (3) Finalists. All honourees receive recognition at the Greater Purpose Awards Ceremony on October 28, 2026.
Note: All awards recognise work completed by June 1 of 2026.
We also encourage applicants, nominees, and CEOs to support the Canadian Purpose Economy Project’s Call to Purpose - a growing movement to make social purpose business the norm in Canada.
This is your moment. Apply Today!
Deadline for entries: All entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST August 14, 2026, through the official online portal.
Submissions are accepted in English and French. If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at info@greaterpurpose.inc.
You can apply for a Greater Purpose award in two ways: submit an application for yourself or your organisation, or nominate someone else whose work you believe deserves recognition. We welcome and encourage nominations from colleagues, peers, partners, and community members.
For Greater Purpose members, entry is free. Non-members may apply for a fee of $249 + HST per award category.
Not a member yet? Learn more about Greater Purpose membership here.
Here’s everything you need to get started.
Step-by-Step Entry Process
1. Register
Click on the "Register" link (top right) and complete the registration form to create your account.
2. Login
Use your email and password to log in to the awards platform.
3. Create Your Entry
- Select the award category. You may submit entries in multiple categories; each requires a separate application and a $249 + HST fee for non-members.
- Complete the application form with details about your organization or initiative.
- Optional: Upload supporting materials (e.g., impact reports, testimonials, case studies, media, or purpose-related content) that illustrate your purpose journey. Acceptable formats include PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, JPG, JPEG, XLS, XLSX, PPT, MP4, JPG, PNG, AVI, MOV, MP4 and link to external webpage or video.
4. Save Your Progress
- You can save your entry as DRAFT until all required information is completed.
- As sections are finalized, a checkmark
will appear in the entry form tab.
5. Submit Your Entry
- Once your entry is complete, save and submit it as FINAL.
- Please review all information and check that uploaded materials are correct before submitting.
6. Payment (For Non-Members Only)
- If you are a Greater Purpose member, your entry is free.
- Non-members must pay $249 + HST per award category.
- Please note: Each award category requires a separate form and a separate payment. If you are submitting entries for multiple categories, you must complete a new form and make a separate payment for each one.
- Once payment is processed successfully, your entry qualifies for judging.
Need Assistance?
For any questions about your entry, please contact us at info@greaterpurpose.inc.
Start your application today!
Submission Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST August 14, 2026, through the official online portal.
Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Categories
The Greater Purpose Awards recognize excellence in social purpose leadership across three categories:
Who Can Apply?
Open to leaders that are driving corporate social purpose and community impact across Canada.
Key Criteria:
- Demonstrated leadership in championing social purpose
- Influence on culture, strategy, or systems change
- Measurable impact and peer inspiration
Who Can Apply?
Businesses and nonprofits working together to create social impact.
Key Criteria:
- Multi-stakeholder collaboration and advocacy
- Creative approaches to advancing social or environmental goals
- Measurable and enduring results
Recognition Levels
Each category will recognize both a Winner and up to two (2) Finalists. The Greater Purpose Awards acknowledge not only the winners but also high-performing finalists who have demonstrated significant contributions to advancing social purpose within their organizations and networks.This ensures that leaders and changemakers at all levels receive well-deserved recognition for their impact.
Award Criteria
Each submission will be evaluated based on the following:- Leadership & Purpose Integration - Evidence of purpose-driven thinking embedded into leadership, strategy, and decision-making—at a level appropriate to the organization’s size and stage.
- Innovation & Creativity - Unique and meaningful approaches to advancing social or environmental goals, whether through programs, partnerships, or internal initiatives.
- Stakeholder Engagement - Demonstrated effort to engage employees, communities, customers, or partners in shaping and advancing purpose initiatives.
- Progress & Impact - Clear examples of outcomes—qualitative or quantitative—that reflect the organization or individual’s evolving impact.
- Scalability & Sustainability - Indications that the work can grow, deepen, or endure over time, even if early-stage.
- Transparency & Accountability - Commitment to ethical practices, honest reflection, and, where applicable, sharing purpose-related progress or lessons learned.
Submissions will be carefully reviewed by a distinguished panel of industry leaders, purpose-driven executives, and social impact professionals.
Membership
Join the Greater Purpose Community
Empower your business to lead with purpose. Become part of Canada’s most dynamic and inclusive network of purpose-driven professionals and organizations. As a member, you’ll unlock exclusive benefits, unparalleled networking opportunities, and the recognition your impact deserves.
Why Join Greater Purpose?
At Greater Purpose, we believe purpose is a journey. That’s why our criteria-free membership welcomes businesses and professionals at every stage—whether you’re just starting to integrate purpose into your strategy or leading the way in social impact.
Join a thriving network that fosters collaboration, amplifies visibility, and supports meaningful growth for businesses of all sizes.
Membership Benefits at a Glance
Greater Purpose membership isn’t just about joining a network—it’s about amplifying your commitment to impact and being seen as a leader in Canada’s purpose economy. Members unlock:
- Priority Access & Discounts - Enjoy complimentary or discounted registrations to Greater Purpose Conferences and exclusive pre-event gatherings.
- National Recognition - Receive complimentary or discounted entries to the Greater Purpose Awards—highlighting your leadership and innovation in social impact.
- Powerful Connections - Tap into a cross-sector network of purpose-driven professionals through roundtables, curated events, and peer learning forums.
- Leadership Growth - Expand your skills with exclusive content, partner training discounts, and support from a dedicated Member Success Manager.
- Elevated Visibility - Leverage the Greater Purpose Trustmark, get featured in national campaigns, and show the world your commitment to purpose.
Ready to elevate your impact and help shape the next generation of business?
Visit this page to explore the full benefits of membership.
Already convinced?
Become a Member Now by signing up here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the awards?
The awards are open to individuals, partnerships, and businesses operating in Canada who have demonstrated significant contributions to social purpose. Applicants must either reside in Canada or have discernible operations in Canada. Specific eligibility criteria vary by category.
Can I nominate someone else for an award?
Yes! Nominations are encouraged. If you are submitting on behalf of someone else, you will need to provide detailed information about the nominee and their contributions.
Is there an application fee?
- For Greater Purpose members, entry is completely free.
- Non-members may apply for a fee of $179 + HST per award category.
- Beginning in 2026, the Greater Purpose Awards will be open exclusively to members.
Can I enter multiple categories?
Yes—entries in multiple award categories are permitted. Please note: Each award category requires a separate form and a separate payment. If you are submitting entries for multiple categories, you must complete a new form and make a separate payment for each one.
What is the deadline for submitting applications?
Applications must be submitted by August 20, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
How are winners selected?
A panel of expert judges, including industry leaders, purpose-driven executives, and social impact professionals, will evaluate applications using a structured scoring system based on the following criteria:
- Leadership & Purpose Integration
- Innovation & Creativity
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Measurable Impact
- Scalability & Sustainability
- Transparency & Accountability
When will winners be announced?
Finalists will be notified in late September to early October 2025. Winners will be announced on October 27, 2025, at the Greater Purpose Awards Ceremony in Toronto.
Will there be recognition for finalists?
Yes! All finalists will be acknowledged and celebrated during the awards ceremony. Both winners and finalists will:
- Receive a physical award or certificate of recognition
- Be featured in our official awards presentation
- Be highlighted in Greater Purpose’s award promotions and media campaigns
What do winners receive?
Winners will receive:
- A custom-designed trophy
- Media coverage & press features
- Exclusive networking access with industry leaders
How will winners and finalists be promoted?
Both winners and finalists will be featured in:
- Press releases & business publications
- Greater Purpose’s Impact Report & Webinars
- Social media campaigns & industry spotlights
Where can I get more information?
For additional questions, please contact us at info@greaterpurpose.inc
Apply now and be recognized as a leader in social purpose!
Rules of Entry
Eligibility- The awards are open to businesses, executives, and partnerships operating in Canada.
- Charities and Non-profit organizations are eligible only for the Social Impact Partnership category.
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to social purpose.
- All entries must be submitted online by August 20, 2025.
- Supporting documents are required for evaluation (narrative statement, endorsements, impact data).
- Finalists will be notified privately before the official public announcement.
- The judges’ decisions are final.
- By entering, applicants grant Greater Purpose permission to use submitted materials for promotional purposes.
Key Dates
Contact Us
Greater Purpose261 Davenport Road, Suite 200
Toronto, ON M5R1K3
Phone: (647) 547-1006 x109
Email: info@greaterpurpose.inc
