Philly - Phil·ly 'filē: A fun abbreviation of philanthropy; a twenty-three-year-old tradition best served with drinks.

The Philly Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in nonprofit marketing, communications, and fundraising. This annual event honors the hard work that goes into crafting compelling messages to advance missions and create meaningful impact.

2026 Philly Awards

We are officially launching the 23rd Annual Philly Awards, and the buzz is bigger than ever as we celebrate Nonprofit Connect's 50th Anniversary! This event is the ultimate showcase of the powerhouse marketing, communications and fundraising campaigns driving our sector forward. The energy is always electric! You won't want to miss an evening of great food, drinks and a front-row look at the creative work that truly moved the needle for the Kansas City community over the past year.

Additionally, we are excited to host the celebration at the legendary Knuckleheads offering double the energy and space—incredible exposure and a dedicated VIP Happy Hour for top sponsors.

Event Details

Thursday, November 12, 2026
Knuckleheads
5 p.m. VIP Happy Hour
5:30 p.m. General Entry & Networking
6–7:30 p.m. Philly Awards

Headshot

Event Emcee
Jackie Nguyen, Owner and Founder of Café Cà Phê

Jackie Nguyen is the owner and founder of Café Cà Phê, Kansas City's first Vietnamese coffeeshop. Although originally born and raised in San Diego, Jackie works towards being an honorary Midwestern by actively doing work in helping amplifying the AAPI narrative through her coffee. Not only does Cafe Ca Phe serve authentic drinks and flavors of Southeast Asia, but 100% of the staff is made up of marginalized communities—ensuring an equitable and diverse community to share our experiences. Prior to entrepreneurship, Jackie received a BFA in Musical Theatre and lived in New York City for 10+ years as a professional actor touring with numerous Broadway shows. For the past three years, Jackie has also fused her acting into her newfound role of entrepreneur by public speaking nationally about diversity, social media marketing for coffeeshops, and championing small women business owners alike.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Every day, nonprofits perform incredible work that makes Kansas City a better place to live and work. By sponsoring the Philly Awards, you directly support these organizations while empowering Nonprofit Connect to provide the vital resources they need to thrive. Click here to explore sponsorship opportunities and benefits.

Sponsorship Levels

Presenting Sponsor: $5,000 (One Available)
Gold Sponsor: $2,500 (Five Available)
Silver Sponsor: $1,500 (Eight Available)
Company Cocktail Table Sponsor: $750
Nonprofit Cocktail Table Sponsor: $500