Universal Kindness Awards 2026 Winners Announced
Australia, 5th Jan 2026, - The winners of the 2026 Universal Kindness Awards have been announced, recognising individuals, businesses and organisations from around the world whose outstanding contributions have made a meaningful difference in communities, promoted social good and demonstrated the power of compassionate action.Now in its latest iteration, the Universal Kindness Awards celebrate a broad spectrum of achievement — from humanitarian engagement and mental wellness advocacy to environmental stewardship, arts for kindness, inclusive accessibility, global collaboration and everyday acts of generosity that inspire others. Winners were selected for their measurable impact in strengthening communities, fostering empathy, reducing barriers and creating opportunities for lasting positive change.“We are pleased to recognise the 2026 award recipients whose dedication to kindness and compassion has delivered tangible benefits to people and places across borders,” said a spokesperson for the Universal Kindness Awards. “Their work illustrates how thoughtful, sustained action — whether through volunteer service, community leadership or innovative solutions — contributes to a more caring and inclusive world.”Winners will also be featured in the upcoming edition of UKindness Magazine, which highlights stories of empathy and generosity from around the world. The WinnersHere are this year's winners: Kindness in Innovation Award First BatchJanet MillerMaria RodriguezSarah Chen (Non-Profit & Language Education)Tom MartinezBlake Mycoskie (TOMS Shoes)Dr. Sarah Chen (Therapy Dogs for Autism)Maria SantosAunty MeiMariana DelgadoGraham Goodhart Second BatchMicrosoft (Adaptive Controllers)Octopus EnergyKivaKhan AcademyOpen-Source SaaS (various implementations)Adobe Creative ResidencyWarby ParkerToo Good To GoBuildHealth InternationalDuolingoPlayAblyBenetech Animal Welfare Protection AwardRSPCAJane Goodall / Jane Goodall InstituteComprehensive Pet Therapy (Mark Spivak, Founder) Corporate Compassion AwardGravity Payments (Dan Price, CEO)Enterprise Community PartnersUnion Square Hospitality GroupPatagonia (multiple initiatives: Worn Wear, Fair Trade Program, Ownership Transfer to Trust, Black Friday Donations, Ironclad Guarantee and Repair Support)PearsonBen & Jerry’s Lifetime Achievement in KindnessFred RogersJane GoodallMother TeresaWarren BuffettMalala Yousafzai Community Champion AwardMermaid Way (Julia Pukhalskaia, CEO)Mission Prep Healthcare (Aja Chavez, Executive Director)Lluis Law (Ramiro Lluis, Managing Attorney)Comprehensive Pet Therapy (Mark Spivak, Founder)Zinfandel Grille (Allen Kou, Owner)Interactive Counselling (Amy Mosset, CEO)The Spanish Council of Singapore (Carmen Jordan Fernandez, Academic Director)Franchise KI (Bennett Maxwell, CEO)Crushing REI / Lakeshore Home Buyer (Ryan Dosenberry, CEO)Tutorbase (Sandro Kratz, Founder)Housing Families First / Xponent21 (Will Melton, CEO) Global Goodness AwardInternational Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)Doctors Without Borders / Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)Gates FoundationUNESCOBritish Council Kindness in Action AwardAvraham Plastic Surgery (Dr. Tomer Avraham)Zinfandel Grille (Allen Kou)Dirty Dough (Bennett Maxwell’s example)Jacksonville Maids (Justin Carpenter)Baby Steps Ministry (Peter Kim)Dr. Edith Eger Interfaith Harmony AwardParliament of the World’s ReligionsPope FrancisInterfaith Youth Core (Eboo Patel)The Interfaith AllianceUnited Religions Initiative (URI)Hospital Chaplaincy Programs (Cross-Faith Chaplaincy Teams) Nonprofit Impact AwardWorld Central KitchenEqual Justice Initiative (EJI)Charity: WaterLoveland FoundationHabitat for HumanityFeeding AmericaThe Trevor ProjectGlobal Good Foundation Random Act of Kindness AwardNext Step House Buyers (Chris Lowe)NOLA Buys Houses (Carl Fanaro)Rowlen Boiler Services (Lara Woodham)PlayAbly (John Cheng)Mission Prep Healthcare (Aja Chavez)Zinfandel Grille (Allen Kou)Magic Hour (Runbo Li)French Teachers Association of Hong Kong (David Cornado)Tutorbase (Sandro Kratz)Patagonia (Julia Pukhalskaia)Baby Steps Ministry (Peter Kim)German Cultural Association of Hong Kong (Yoan Amselem)Xponent21 (Will Melton)Search Party (Brandon Brown)CLDY.com (Alvin Poh)Patagonia (Hans Graubard)Crushing REI (Ryan Dosenberry)Kitching & Co. Dirtworx (Brian Tetreault)Bennett Awards (Graham Bennett) Mental Wellness Advocate AwardPrince HarrySelena Gomez / Rare Beauty & Rare Impact FundMental Health Professionals (field-wide recognition)Michael Phelps Arts for Kindness AwardBanksyJR (Inside Out Project)GRINMarina Abramovic Philanthropic Leadership AwardJose AndresBaby Steps Ministry (Peter Kim, Owner)John Paul DeJoriaThe Spanish Council of Singapore (Carmen Jordan Fernandez, Academic Director)Mission Prep Healthcare (Aja Chavez, Executive Director)German Cultural Association of Hong Kong (Yoan Amselem, Managing Director)Tutorbase (Sandro Kratz, Founder)Melinda French GatesRihanna Kindness Journalism, Media, and Marketing AwardHumans of New York (Brandon Stanton)Love Has No Labels CampaignThe DodoStoryCorpsWashington Post (Pandemic Series)New York Times (“Overlooked” Series) Empowerment Through Sports AwardComprehensive Pet Therapy (Mark Spivak, Founder)Aquatots (Alena Sarri, Owner Operator)Magic Hour (Runbo Li, CEO)Special OlympicsSkate Like a Girl Technology for Good AwardOura (Oura Ring)yourLumiraZiplineFinofoUrbanProMozillaBabylon HealthKhan AcademyBe My Eyes Intergenerational Kindness AwardJane GoodallKeanu ReevesMagic Hour (Runbo Li, CEO)The Spanish Council of Singapore (Carmen Jordan Fernandez, Academic Director)Mermaid Way (Julia Pukhalskaia, CEO)Jacksonville Maids (Justin Carpenter, Founder) Difference Maker AwardSimone de Beauvoir – The Second SexJonah Berger – ContagiousKim Scott – Radical CandorHarper Lee – To Kill a MockingbirdRutger Bregman – HumankindRebecca Skloot – The Immortal Life of Henrietta LacksTara Westover – EducatedJames Clear – Atomic HabitsRuda Iande – Laughing in the Face of ChaosMaria Montessori – Absorbent MindElizabeth Gilbert – Big MagicBryan Stevenson – Just MercyTsvika Abramovitch – The Art of Managing Humans: Management Practices that Actually WorkAngel A – Holy ParrotAlis Cerrahyan – The Sound of an Ordinary LifeSneha Sabu – Stay Safe with Ruby and ReubenKaren Olson – Meant for More About the Universal Kindness AwardsThe Universal Kindness Awards, presented annually by Store with a Heart, recognise individuals, brands and organisations that exemplify kindness, compassion and positive social impact. The awards span multiple categories including humanitarian leadership, community service, corporate compassion, global goodness, environmental stewardship, mental wellness advocacy, empowerment through education and technology for good. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated, measurable contributions toward strengthening communities and improving lives.To nominate or for more details about the awards, visit the official page of the Universal Kindness Awards. About Store with a HeartStore with a Heart is a multi‑award‑winning sustainable online gift store based in Adelaide, Australia, committed to promoting kindness, compassion and social responsibility. Beyond offering carbon‑neutral products and ethical gifting options, the organisation supports initiatives that amplify positive impact, including the Universal Kindness Awards and UKindness Magazine. Store with a Heart seeks to elevate stories of empathy and generosity from around the world, encouraging a culture where meaningful action and human connection are central to community wellbeing.
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