Image Credit: March 7, 5:27pm - Giclée of Original Oil
Prism Awards 2025: The Art of Impact
The 8th Annual PRISM Awards honored the vibrant creative community from artists and designers to makers and storytellers who used their craft to build a better world. We spotlighted the role creativity played in driving social and environmental change across Southern Colorado and beyond.
2025 PRISM Award Winners
Social Impact Start Up of the Year
Social Impact Start Up of the Year
Social Impact Start Up of the Year
They were recognized for redefining wellness and economic empowerment through community centered financial literacy and coaching.
Huge congratulations to this year's finalists who were also redefining what it means to build with purpose from day one. Drip Queen Coffee serves up more than great brews, they're brewing positive change! The Global Volunteer Recognition Program is elevating youth leadership, proving that recognition can spark deeper impact.
The Social Impact Startup of the Year award recognizes a rising business that is less than three years old, with a bold vision, a strong impact model, and a creative approach to solving social challenges.
Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Social Impact Start Up of the Year
Social Impact Start Up of the Year
James Proby ~ The Men's Xchange
He was honored for his trailblazing work in workforce development, men's fashion, and dignity restoration for underserved communities.
Congratulations to this year’s finalists who also embodied that spirit in powerful & personal ways. Sandi Griffin is a fitness coach & motivational speaker who empowers people to take control of their health. And Chef Brother Luck is not only elevating the culinary scene through restaurants but also championing mental health & mentorship.
The Social Entrepreneur of the Year award honors an individual who blends innovation, leadership, and purpose to create measurable impact. Whether through a groundbreaking business, a new service model, or as a changemaker within their field.
Social Impact Business of the Year
Social Impact Start Up of the Year
Social Impact Business of the Year
They were celebrated for their deep commitment to community-building, veteran support, and creating a thriving hub for local events.
Congratulations to this year's finalists who were also leading with mission, vision, and heart. Boss Babe Networking is empowering women entrepreneurs through mentorship, events, & meaningful connections. ICONS is redefining nightlife as a platform for LGBTQ+ visibility, advocacy, celebration, & inclusion in downtown Colorado Springs.
The Social Impact Business of the Year award honors an established organization that has been operating for over three years and that consistently blends purpose with profitability to create lasting, measurable change.
Who was there?
Performances
Pop-up Art Gallery and Artists
Creative Marketplace
We were thrilled to welcome an incredible lineup of performers to this year’s PRISM Awards! We featured three amazing performances throughout the event. The powerful spoken word of Michael Ferguson from Poetry 719, the vibrant cultural tradition of Ballet Folklorico de Barajas, and the soulful bluegrass sound of Colorado’s own Grass It Up. These performances brought artistry, energy, and heart to an unforgettable evening celebrating The Art of Impact.
Creative Marketplace
Pop-up Art Gallery and Artists
Creative Marketplace
This year’s PRISM Awards also featured a dynamic Creative Marketplace showcasing some of Southern Colorado’s most imaginative artists and makers. Veterans Woodworking LLC
Pop-up Art Gallery and Artists
Pop-up Art Gallery and Artists
Pop-up Art Gallery and Artists
The 2025 PRISM Awards also spotlighted powerful visual storytelling through pop up galleries and immersive art experiences. Installations from Auric Gallery, who featured works by Shannon Mello, Shannon Dunn, Robert Lococo, Jon Francis, and Suz Stovall, alongside contributions from Yobel and Look Up Gallery. Live art activations included Heidi Almosara’s Ikebana floral arranging, Nichole Montañez’s portrait installation “Disposable”, live figurative painting by Lauren Browning, and bold street art from Isaac (Focus) Cisneros.
Creative Sector Partners
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AWARD CATEGORIES
Social Impact Startup of the Year
Social Impact Business of the Year
Social Impact Startup of the Year
New social impact business that is less than 3 years old.
For Social Impact Startup of the Year, we are looking for a Social Impact business that has recently incorporated social impact strategies that can clearly demonstrate their future vision and how they are going to achieve it. This vision shows opportunities for growth and a creative
New social impact business that is less than 3 years old.
For Social Impact Startup of the Year, we are looking for a Social Impact business that has recently incorporated social impact strategies that can clearly demonstrate their future vision and how they are going to achieve it. This vision shows opportunities for growth and a creative approach to problem-solving.
This award recognizes a young Social Impact business that has a clear model for their impact as well as strong measurement of the model’s effectiveness. We are looking for a business that utilizes ongoing problem-solving techniques that engage and enhance the community.
In addition to having a clear vision, we are also looking for clear implementation strategies and the potential for future success.
Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Social Impact Business of the Year
Social Impact Startup of the Year
Recognizing an individual blending business & mission to lead transformative change.
We consider a Social Entrepreneur someone who achieves systemic and sustainable social change through innovation, a unique approach to a product or service, an innovative partnership or a redesign of known technologies or strategies, or a combination of t
Recognizing an individual blending business & mission to lead transformative change.
We consider a Social Entrepreneur someone who achieves systemic and sustainable social change through innovation, a unique approach to a product or service, an innovative partnership or a redesign of known technologies or strategies, or a combination of these.
A Social Entrepreneur focuses first and foremost on the social and/or ecological value creation while optimizing the financial value creation. For this award, we are seeking someone who can innovate with direct impact to a population, cause or industry by finding a new product, a new service, or a new approach to a social problem.
A social entrepreneur might be the lead of an organization from the top but can also be someone who excels within the ranks of the organization as a driver for change and impact. This person continuously refines and adapts their approach in response to feedback and has demonstrated Social Impact that is measurable and apparent.
Social Impact Business of the Year
Social Impact Business of the Year
Social Impact Business of the Year
Honoring an established social impact business that is more than 3 years old with demonstrated and measurable social or environmental change.
A Social Impact business is an established entity that has been operating for three years or more, with a clearly defined social, environmental and/or community impact, that also shows sustainabilit
Honoring an established social impact business that is more than 3 years old with demonstrated and measurable social or environmental change.
A Social Impact business is an established entity that has been operating for three years or more, with a clearly defined social, environmental and/or community impact, that also shows sustainability in terms of profit and growth. The Social Impact Business of the Year has a clear and articulate Social Impact Model which is regularly shared and understood in the community with articulated plans for the future.
The Social Impact Business of the Year shows the ability to measure their impact as well as demonstrate a high degree of customer satisfaction. This business’s culture and leadership are presented as drivers of the business’s success, and employees at multiple levels contribute actively to that culture.
Innovation and creativity are clearly a part of everyday discussions and decisions and is encouraged at multiple levels of the organizations. The Social Impact Business of the Year is recognized repeatedly for their work and is considered a subject matter expert on a Social Impact business topic according to at least one other source.
About Southern Colorado Impact Group
What's your higher purpose?
Potential to change the world.
Potential to change the world.
"The PRISM Awards celebrate the innovation and achievements that move Colorado Springs forward. As CEO of the Southern Colorado Impact Group, I’m honored to witness the extraordinary talent and purpose-driven solutions these awards highlight each year.
More than individual recognition, the PRISM Awards reflect our community’s collective p
"The PRISM Awards celebrate the innovation and achievements that move Colorado Springs forward. As CEO of the Southern Colorado Impact Group, I’m honored to witness the extraordinary talent and purpose-driven solutions these awards highlight each year.
More than individual recognition, the PRISM Awards reflect our community’s collective progress and potential. By uplifting local talent and recognizing innovation, we strengthen our community and inspire others to pursue meaningful impact. As we look ahead, we remain committed to fostering creativity, progress, and purpose in Colorado Springs."
- Jonathan Liebert (Executive Director of the Southern Colorado Impact Group)
Potential to change the world.
Potential to change the world.
Potential to change the world.
"PRISM is my absolute favorite night of the year. The room buzzes not only with the excitement of an awards event, but also with good people who are savvy at business while being equally committed to making their community better. Social entrepreneurs are a rare breed—the ones who do it well. There is a fine balance between confidence an
"PRISM is my absolute favorite night of the year. The room buzzes not only with the excitement of an awards event, but also with good people who are savvy at business while being equally committed to making their community better. Social entrepreneurs are a rare breed—the ones who do it well. There is a fine balance between confidence and ego, heart and pity, business and greed—the latter of any of these toppling a true social impact model and its potential to change the world. I love that this night brings together the best of all of us, whether we have been in this space for a day or a decade. There is just nothing like it anywhere."
-Stacey Burns, (Founder and Principal of SDB Social Impact)
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