United Way and FOX61 Seek Nominations for the 4th Annual ImpaCT Awards
Hartford, Conn. (March 31, 2026) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and FOX61 announced nominations are officially open to the public for the 4th Annual ImpaCT Awards. Nominations are intended to recognize those who make a significant contribution to health care, housing, financial empowerment and education in Connecticut through the ImpaCT Awards. Nominations will be open through May 31, 2026, and finalists will be announced in August.
To nominate an individual, group or organization, visit CTImpactAwards.org and click “Submit A Nomination.” Nominees must be over the age of 18 and can only be submitted into one of the following categories:
Unsung Hero Award: This person is the “Unofficial Mayor” of their neighborhood or town, completing acts of kindness for everyone they meet without looking for anything in return. This person may just be starting their philanthropic journey or may have been helping for decades.
Impactful Woman Award: A female leader whose mission is to help and empower those within her community. She is a leader and an inspiration, creating opportunities for others and ensuring she is making Connecticut a better place. A true mentor to other women, this person has dynamic energy and drive to do great things in her community.
Impactful Emerging Leader Award: An up-and-coming changemaker in Connecticut, this young person – specifically, under the age of 30 as of October 1, 2026 – is on the fast track to leadership. Despite their age, they have a proven record of giving back and have set themselves up for a future of serving Connecticut.
Impactful Educator Award: An impactful educator – a teacher, professor, coach or tutor who has dedicated themselves to molding young minds. More than teaching, this person serves as a mentor to their students, helping guide them through life. This person can be retired or work in a variety of educational settings, including preschool, K-12, college/university and other learning spaces.
Impactful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award: This award is given to an individual or a company that has a demonstrated track record of helping or working with minority communities here in Connecticut. They have made a measurable impact in underrepresented communities and have dedicated their lives, or a better part of their business, helping to create a spot at the table for everyone.
Community Organization Making an ImpaCT: A community group that has taken on the task of bettering their surroundings and helping others. This grassroots organization uses their resources – gifts of time, talent and treasure – to create change. This charitable organization goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Small Business Making an ImpaCT: A small business that has made giving back to Connecticut a part of their culture. This organization is doing business in an innovative way to create a better Connecticut. This award will be given to a small/medium-sized company with fewer than 100 employees.
Company Making an ImpaCT: A company that has made giving back to Connecticut a part of their culture. This organization is well-rounded in investing funds and time to create a better Connecticut. Volunteering and philanthropy are part of their culture from the top down, creating a place to work that allows employees a chance to do good along the way. This award will be given to a large company with more than 100 employees.
“We are excited to open nominations for the 4th Annual ImpaCT Awards. Leveraging our collective impact and the contributions of individuals, organizations and companies is a fantastic way to strengthen the communities where we live and work. United Way is honored to continue our partnership with FOX61 by recognizing those who make our state a better place,” shared Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.
United Way and FOX61 will also recognize a leader in our community with the George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award to honor an individual who has dedicated their life to service with the goal of making futures brighter for generations to come.
“We are thrilled to partner with United Way to recognize individuals, companies and organizations that are giving back to their community in incredible ways,” said Chris Topf, President and General Manager FOX61/CW20. “The ImpaCT Awards are all about meaningfully bringing people together. As Connecticut’s News Station, we believe in serving the state not only through the important information we provide but also highlighting great work happening throughout the community.”
Funds raised advance United Way’s work to end poverty by closing gaps in child literacy, wages, housing and life expectancy.
The 4th Annual ImpaCT Awards Ceremony will take place October 28, 2026, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Additionally, the ImpaCT Awards Ceremony will be broadcast on FOX61 and will be streamed on FOX61+ in a special one-hour broadcast and available on FOX61+ to re-watch. Sponsorship opportunities are available at CTImpactAwards.org and are eligible for charitable tax deductions.
About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
United Way mobilizes resources and aligns strategic partners to end poverty in the 860 region by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy with the goal of a region where there are equal opportunities for everyone to succeed. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org
About FOX61
FOX61, Connecticut’s News Station, is one of the nation’s most highly rated FOX Network affiliates, providing Connecticut viewers with outstanding entertainment, news, sports and local event programming. FOX 61 News is the market leader in news, producing more news and winning more awards than any station in Connecticut. FOX 61 now airs more than 61 hours of local news and public affairs programming each week, more than any other market station and provides 24 x 7 live streamed content on FOX61+, available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
CW20, one of the top performing CW network affiliates in the U.S., delivers the best in off network and first-run syndicated programming, movies and sports. The station is home to the Connecticut Lottery drawings and broadcasts major community events and sports including New York Mets Baseball, UConn Football and UConn Baseball.
FOX61 and CW20 are owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), an innovative media company that owns and operates 64 television stations in 51 markets. For more information, please visit www.fox61.com.
Media contact: Anyeline Céspedes López | acespedes@unitedwayinc.org | 787.502.0436