The James Irvine Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Leadership Awards.
The Leadership Awards recognize individuals advancing breakthrough solutions to critical issues facing California. Each Award recipient’s organization receives $350,000 and help sharing their solutions with policymakers and other leaders in their communities.
Click the button below to submit a nomination today!
Introducing a new simpler process
We’re excited to introduce a new streamlined process to make it easier than ever to nominate inspiring leaders who are creating meaningful change across California.
- Step 1: Initial Nomination (Deadline: March 12, 2025). Nominators will submit basic information about the nominee, such as their name and contact information, along with a brief description of the nominee’s work and the nominator’s experience with the leader. If an individual chooses to self-nominate, we will request the name and contact information of external validators to ensure a fair evaluation process.
- Step 2: Detailed Nominee Submission (Deadline: April 30, 2025). Nominated candidates will be invited to accept their nomination and provide more detailed information about their work.
You may find it helpful to review our post about the new process, the questions on the nominations form and these Frequently Asked Questions.
Eligibility Quiz
Take the quiz to find out if your nominee is eligible for a 2026 Leadership Award.
Selection Timeline
Timeline for the 2026 Leadership Awards
February 10, 2025
Nomination period opens for the 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards.
March 12, 2025 at 11:59 pm PDT
The nominations period closes.
March 14, 2025
Nominees are notified and accept or decline their nomination.
April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PDT
Final deadline for detailed nominee submission and validator submissions.
Late July 2025
The Selection Committee meets to discuss nominations and selects 10-12 finalists. Finalists are notified.
August – October 2025
Leadership Awards staff, consultants, and an expert in each finalist’s field of work meet with finalists individually to further understand their work and its impact on California. All nominators are notified about the status of their nomination.
Late October 2025
The Selection Committee meets to review reports of the site visits and to select four to six Award recipients. Recipients and other finalists are notified.
February 2026
Award recipients are announced.