Voting

Voting for the 2026 New Jersey Social Innovation Awards is now closed.

The 2026 New Jersey Social Innovations In-Person Awards Ceremony on April 9th, 2026 2pm-5pm EDT

Finalists

INNOVATIONS IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

1. Community Health and Well-Being - Innovative service models improving behavioral health, social determinants of health, and overall community well-being

  • David's Sensory Gym, Paper Strategies Inc.

  • Janice Campbell, Tri-State Canines

  • Pam Capaci, Hope Shed's Light

  • The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development

  • Durand, Inc. - Community Connections

  • Kristin Prinn, LUCY Outreach

INNOVATIONS IN HEALTH ACCESS

2. Advancing Access to Health - Innovative models and strategies reducing health disparities and ensuring access to care, especially for special populations

  • The Woods Primary and Behavioral Health Center at Hamilton

  • Dr. Marguerite Pedley, Princeton House Behavioral Health, Moorestown NJ

  • Dr. Jubril Oyeyemi, Cherry Hill Free Clinic

  • CARE - Community Addiction Recovery Effort

  • Edwin Asuta, The Arc of Union County

  • Steve Setteducati, New Concepts for Living

3. Community Voice and Impact - Novel strategies that amplify community voice, promote belonging, and influence policy or programs

  • Anthony Comerford, New Hope Integrated Behavioral Health Care

  • Wendy Alexander, Center For Family Services

  • Karly Forman Cohen, Raise the Bar

  • The Salvation Army Kroc Center

  • Pastor Randy Van Osten, First Baptist Church of Pitman

POPULATION HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH

4. Excellence in Population and Public Health – Innovative strategies improving clinical health outcomes, care coordination, and public health policy to create sustainable impact.

  • Tabitha Patel

  • Eat Well Food Farmacy

  • Maxwell Kursh, Cooper University Health Care

  • Jessica Czepiel, Inspira Health

  • Sharsheret, Inc.

INNOVATIONS IN SOCIAL MOBILITY

5. Economic, Educational and Workforce Advancement - Innovative workforce development, education, and economic mobility strategies

  • Onna Jones, Hopeworks

  • Camden Dream Center

  • Pamela Brant, Symphony in C

  • GoMo Health's Behavioral Health Division

  • Corey Hoffmann, Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors

6. Housing and Community Development - Innovations in stable, attainable housing models that strengthen communities

  • Thrive Red Bank, Parents With A Plan

  • George Vessels, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services

  • Richard Cotton, Asbury Farms Real Estate

  • Ross Croessman, Project Live

  • NJ Organizing Project

INNOVATIONS IN SOCIAL SECTOR SYSTEMS

7. Innovative Philanthropy and Funding Strategies - Funders taking innovative approaches to social sector investment

  • Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation and Camden Coalition

  • Kim Bezanis, Zallie Community Foundation

  • Sherie Martin, PNC Charitable Trusts

8. Transformative Partnerships - Cross-sector partnerships solving complex social or environmental challenges.

  • Share My Meals and the Meal Recovery Coalition

  • Dana Redd, Camden Community Partnership

  • Jonathan Cummings, Revive South Jersey and Ranch Hope

  • Durand, Inc. - Community Connections

  • Joseph's House, Maryville Integrated Care

9. Advocacy, Policy, and Systems Change - Innovative advocacy, policy reform, and legislative strategies advancing rights, justice, and structural change

  • Catherine Chin, The Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD)

  • Volunteer UP Legal Clinic Staff

  • Bikers Against Child Abuse - South Jersey Chapter

  • Contact of Burlington County

  • Heather Simms, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey

10. Thought Leadership and Capacity Building - Strengthening the social sector through research, learning, and leadership development

  • Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs Center (RISN)

  • Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs - Rutgers-Camden

  • Association of Fundraising Professionals, New Jersey, Southern Chapter, AFP Global

  • Robert Budsock, Integrity, Inc.

  • Mary Coogan, Advocates for Children of NJ