Hats Off Nominations Announced

Cultural Council - 2024 Awards
(Capehart Photography)

(Press Release) ​(West Palm Beach, Fla.) Wednesday, August 27, 2025-Nonprofits First proudly announces an outstanding number of nominations to honor the local nonprofit sector in Palm Beach County during the 9th Annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards on Thursday, October 9th, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in the Cohen Pavilion.

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Nominations were accepted for 13 total awards: Nonprofit of the Year Impact Award – Arts & Culture, Nonprofit of the Year Impact Award – Education, Nonprofit of the Year Impact Award – Environment & Animal Welfare, Nonprofit of the Year Impact Award – Family Services, Nonprofit of the Year Impact Award – Health & Wellness, Nonprofit Innovation Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Nonprofit Executive of the Year Award, Nonprofit Professional of the Year Award, Nonprofit MVP of the Year Award, Community Hero Award, Community Collaborator Awards, and Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year Award. Special thanks for the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County for sponsoring the Arts & Culture Impact Award for the third year. We are grateful to FPL for being the first sponsor of the Impact Award for Education.

Nonprofits First received over 160 nominations for 13 awards. In addition to this, two special awards will be announced live: the highly anticipated Best Hat Award and the People’s Choice Award. For the first time, voting for the People’s Choice Award will open ahead of the event, allowing the public to cast their votes beginning September 15. All organizations nominated for our five Impact Awards will automatically be considered for the People’s Choice honor. To make voting easy and accessible, social media posts will feature QR codes and direct links, empowering the community to support their favorite agency.

“During these challenging times, our nonprofit sector has demonstrated that partnership is not just a tactic—it’s a testament to our shared purpose. The overwhelming response to the Community Collaborators Award reflects a powerful spirit of unity, innovation, and mutual support. More than 80 agencies have come together, not just to serve, but to reimagine what’s possible when we lead with unity and collaborate with intention,” said Trudy Crowetz, President & CEO of Nonprofits First.

The 9th Annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards celebrate nonprofits in Palm Beach County who dedicate themselves to making our community a better place to live and work, so they deserve to be honored. The honorees from the past Hats Off Nonprofit Awards will be recognized as part of the evening.

The fun evening will kick off with celebratory music by the nonprofit organization Digital Vibez. The party continues with special guest emcee Bill Bone. Attire is business and cocktail. Guests are encouraged to wear a hat of any kind, big or small, and can be as creative as they wish. Tickets include food and drinks catered by The Lessing's Hospitality Group, and parking in the covered garage will be $10 per vehicle.

Tables of ten are on sale for Nonprofits First’s members at $2,000 and for nonmembers at $2,250, and sponsorships are also available at www.hatsoffawards.org. Individual ticket sales will go on sale Tuesday, September 2, for $200 (members) per person and $225 (nonmembers) per person. The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.