The Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards (EHSDAs) honor outstanding nonprofits and city agency staff who go above and beyond to serve New Yorkers. From innovative problem-solving to operational brilliance and exceptional service, these awards recognize the people and programs strengthening NYC’s human services ecosystem. 

At the Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit Services, we believe that excellence isn’t just about outcomes—it’s also about the people and systems that make those outcomes possible. Too often, the behind-the-scenes work of public servants and nonprofit professionals goes unrecognized. This event is our effort to change that culture—by lifting up collaboration, celebrating shared success, and building a city where partnership is the norm, not the exception. 

Meet our 2026 honorees:

 View the press release

This year’s award winners are:

Action & Innovation Award (Nonprofit & City Staff)  

Celebrates individuals who introduce creative, forward-thinking solutions that improve service delivery, program impact or government partnerships.

• Nonprofit Winner: Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC)
• City Staff Winner: Jackie Roth, Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)
  

 

Excellence in Customer Service Award (Nonprofit & City Staff) 

Honors City employees who go above and beyond to support nonprofit providers through clear communication, responsive coordination and timely action. Also recognizes nonprofits whose frontline work demonstrates exceptional impact in meeting community needs.

• Nonprofit Winner: Hispanic Federation
• City Staff Winner: Julie Harrison, Department of Homeless Services

Operational Excellence Award (Nonprofit & City Agency)

Recognizes organizations that model efficient systems, fiscal stewardship and streamlined processes that help New Yorkers thrive.

• Nonprofit Winner: Consortium for Worker Education
• City Agency Winner: Department for the Aging

Emerging Nonprofit Award (Nonprofit)  

Honors smaller, newer organizations making a significant impact in New York City communities. 

• Nonprofit Winner: Women's Empowerment Coalition of NYC (WECNYC)

Lifetime Achievement Award 

Honors an individual who has dedicated their career to strengthening the City’s nonprofit sector.

• Nonprofit Leader Winner: Rosita Romero, Co-Founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the Dominican Women’s Development Center

Meet our 2025 honorees:

Action & Innovation Award
Celebrates individuals who introduce creative, forward-thinking solutions that improve service
delivery, program impact, or government partnerships.

• Nonprofit Winner: Mount Sinai REACH Program
• City Staff Winner: Shakina Shaw, Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor and COMPASS Director at the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

Excellence in Customer Service Award
Honors city employees who go above and beyond to support nonprofit providers through clear
communication, responsive coordination, and timely action. Also recognizes nonprofits whose
frontline work demonstrates exceptional impact in meeting community needs.

• Nonprofit Winner: The Elder Law Unit at Brooklyn Legal Services
• City Staff Winner: Markida Murrell-Owens, Contract Specialist II at the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

 

Operational Excellence Award
Recognizes organizations that model efficient systems, fiscal stewardship, and streamlined processes that help New Yorkers thrive.

• Nonprofit Winner: Center for Family Life in Sunset Park
• City Agency Winner: Administration for Children’s Services

Emerging Nonprofit Award
Honors smaller, newer organizations making a significant impact in New York City communities

.• Nonprofit Winner: REM Center Inc.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Honors an individual who has dedicated their career to strengthening the city’s nonprofit sector.
• Nonprofit Leader Winner: Dr. Rosa Gil, Founder and CEO of Comunilife, Inc.