GEN IMPACT Awards

The 2026 applications are closed.

The 2026 GEN IMPACT Awards recognize the measurable and strategic contributions of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Business Resource Groups (BRGs), Engagement and Inclusion Councils, and their Executive Sponsors. With a legacy of more than 15 years of awards, we’re thrilled to welcome new organizations to the applicants and recipients!

 

Award recipients will be announced in August. 

 

Join us for the celebration at the GEN Annual Conference in November.

 

Sign up here to be the first to know about 2027 awards information sessions and the opening of next year’s applications. 

“The annual awards process challenges us to continually raise the bar, think differently, and identify new ways to better support our people and strengthen an inclusive workplace culture. ”  Senior Inclusion Consultant, financial services

 

 


What “IMPACT” Really Means

In the GEN IMPACT Awards, IMPACT isn’t just a feel-good word – it’s a performance lens. Each letter represents a success factor that defines how ERGs, Councils, and Executive Sponsors demonstrate excellence through meaningful contributions:

INNOVATE

with creative solutions

MEASURE

outcomes through data and stories

PROGRESS

with sustained growth

ACTIVATE

meaningful action

COLLABORATE

across boundaries

TRANSFORM

workplace culture and systems

Together, these factors set the benchmark for how ERGs and Councils drive measurable change for people and organizations. 

The 2026 Awards

View the application questions.

 

Download the fillable PDFs for each award to compile your answers with teammates!

  • Wide Shot of a Multiethnic Group of People Discussing Ideas in a Meeting Room at Office
    Top ERGs

    Celebrating the success of individual ERGs & Councils in key impact areas.

     

  • timelab-MZZG2zfEZCc-unsplash
    Top 10 Enterprise

    Celebrating the accomplishments across multiple ERGs & Councils from a single organization.

     

  • Female Asian CEO talking to male colleague while examining data
    Executive Sponsor

    Recognizing and honoring the crucial role of active Executive Sponsors in the success of ERGs & Councils.

     

Why Apply?

Winners of the GEN IMPACT Awards gain industry-wide recognition, access to best practices from top ERG leaders, and a complimentary ticket to the 2026 Global ERG Network Conference and IMPACT Awards Gala.

 

There is no cost to apply, and GEN membership is not required.

 

You can learn more from the FAQs here.

Who Should Apply?

  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
  • Business Resource Groups (BRGs)
  • Any employee-led groups (e.g. Affinity Groups, Employee Networks, etc.)
  • HR, Engagement and Inclusion Councils

FAQ's

About the Awards
First, submit your Intent to Apply. 
 
  • This creates your organizational profile, which we’ll attach to any award submissions from you or your teammates! (This only needs to be completed once for each organization.)
  • You’ll receive an email with the link(s) to submit your application(s). You can share these links with any colleagues who may also want to apply.
 

Next, work with your peers to gather details, data, and anecdotes to tell your story effectively.

  • Download the fillable PDFs to make collaboration easier.
 
Complete your application!
  • You’ll have the option to save, so you don’t have to complete it all at one time. 

Submit your application before April 24, 2026.

For more than 15 years, the GEN IMPACT Awards have recognized and celebrated the meaningful and measurable contributions of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Business Resource Groups (BRGs), Engagement and Inclusion Councils, and their Executive Sponsors.

 

The 2026 GEN IMPACT awards include the Top ERGs & Councils Awards, the Top 10 Enterprise-wide ERGs and Councils Awards, and the Executive Sponsor Awards.

These awards recognize the top 3 ERGs, BRGs, and Engagement and Inclusion Councils which exemplify particular IMPACT in one of the areas:

  • Organizational Impact
  • Talent Development
  • Culture of Inclusion
  • Education
  • Community Impact.

These awards recognize ERGs, BRGs, and Engagement and Inclusion Councils which operate broadly across their organizations and exemplify IMPACT across all of the categories.

 

Most applications reflect the collective impacts of all of an organization’s groups together (e.g., XYZ Corporation Resource Groups, ABC Hospital ERGs). 

These awards honor leaders who serve as Executive Sponsors of ERGs and/or Councils, and go above and beyond the minimum expectations. They demonstrate Active Engagement, Coaching and Mentoring, Strategic Support, and Group Development.

IMPACT represents six success factors that contribute to ERG effectiveness and organizational influence:

 

  • Innovate – Implement creative solutions that solve workplace and community challenges.
  • Measure – Use data and storytelling to demonstrate ERG effectiveness.
  • Progress – Drive ongoing development and long-term impact within the organization.
  • Activate – Mobilize employees and stakeholders to take meaningful action.
  • Collaborate – Work cross-functionally and build strong partnerships for collective success.
  • Transform – Create sustainable cultural and structural change in the workplace.

All applications must be submitted by April 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

Eligibility & Application Process

Any organization with active ERGs, BRGs, or Engagement and Inclusion Councils that have been in operation for at least one year as of March 2026.

No, GEN membership is not required to apply.

No, applying for the GEN IMPACT Awards is free.

No, each ERG may apply for one impact category that represents their most meaningful impact(s). If an applicant group has made impacts across multiple or all categories, consider applying for the Top 10 Enterprise-wide Award.

If multiple groups apply for the same award, they will be competing against each other and the other applicants (and they each have the opportunity to win an award). 

 

If two or more of your groups have collaborated to make an impact, you may submit a joint or shared application for a Top ERGs/Councils category.

You’re welcome to submit applications which reflect partnership between ERGs for any of the Top 3 categories.

 

You may also submit these collaborative or multi-group efforts as a Top 10 application if the impact meets all of the application criteria.

 

*While not required, note that most of our Top 10 applications are submitted on behalf of an organization’s entire cohort or collective of ERGs. 

Submissions are assessed based on how well they articulate situation(s), actions, and measurable results, using data and storytelling to demonstrate success.

Awardees notified: August 

Winner rankings revealed: During the GEN Annual Conference & IMPACT Awards Gala on November 10 – 11 in Charlotte, NC.

Logistics & Publicity
No, once you enter your contact and organizational information, you’ll find a link to “Save and Continue Later” in the upper right-hand corner.
 
You’ll be provided with a unique link to save, and the option to send yourself an email with the same link.
 
Mark your calendar to come back and submit the application before April 17! 
The details of your application will remain confidential.
 
The one exception: Each application requires a Summary statement. This is noted to be shared publicly in awards-related materials and read aloud in the awards presentation! Applicants should omit sensitive information in this statement.
  • Industry-wide recognition across the Global ERG Network channels, communications, and events;

  • A digital badge for use on LinkedIn, internal communications, and organizational websites;

  • A complimentary conference pass for one representative to attend the 2026 Global ERG Network Conference!

 

Winners are recognized alongside other leading ERGs, Councils, Executive Sponsors, and enterprise partners shaping the future of ERGs and Councils. They may also be invited to share their practices, lessons learned, or case examples within GEN programming.

Yes, at least one representative must attend to receive the award. We’ll provide a complimentary ticket to the GEN Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC (November 10 – 11, 2026).
 
The awards gala is an exciting time to connect with other recipients and celebrate your meaningful accomplishments. It also takes place amidst our fantastic annual conference! 

Absolutely! We will provide a digital media kit for your organization, along with a press release, and we’ll have lots of celebration on our GEN social media accounts. We’ll tag our winners – and encourage you to tag us back to help celebrate your award!

 

And – after the award rankings are announced at the GEN Annual Conference, we’ll amplify again by sharing pictures and highlights in additional posts and a follow up press release. 

We’ve simplified the application language, and consolidated two categories: Workplace Education and Member Education into one – Education.

Join the informational webinar on January 28 at 12:00 p.m. EST! If you have specific questions which aren’t answered here, contact us at anna@tapestrypartnersolutions.com.

Stay informed about the Awards and other GEN updates!

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