WASHINGTON D.C. (October 1, 2026) – Today, Independent Sector announced the selection of three nonprofit and philanthropic leaders to receive national recognition for their contribution to the charitable sector in 2026. An awards ceremony honoring the three winners will held on Thursday, October 15 at the Phoenix Convention Center as part of Independent Sector’s National Summit in Phoenix.
Honorees include:
- Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS, to be honored with the John W. Gardner Leadership Award for exceptional nonprofit leadership and vision.
- Monica Nuvamsa, Executive Director of the Hopi Foundation, to be honored with the Janine Lee Mentorship Award for remarkable mentorship and commitment to community.
- John Fabian Witt, author of “The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America” for the Terry McAdam Book Award.
This awards ceremony will be open to the press, with opportunities for members of the media to speak directly with honorees, attendees, and sector leaders. To RSVP, please email chloek@independentsector.org.
From October 13-16, 2026, Independent Sector (IS), the national membership organization representing nonprofits and philanthropic foundations, will host its 2026 National Summit at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix. Featured speakers include Voto Latino Co-Founder and President María Teresa Kumar, Hispanic Heritage Foundation President and CEO Antonio Tijerino, UnidosUS COO Sonia Pérez, as well as top leadership of the country’s largest philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. For more details, visit summit.independentsector.org.
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Independent Sector is the national membership organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for nonprofits and philanthropies. Learn more at independentsector.org.
Media Contact: Chloe Kessock, chloek@independentsector.org, 727-433-2972
