The NISC Programs of Excellence are an opportunity to celebrate, promote, and share the outstanding efforts made by senior centers across the nation to improve the lives of older adults in the community. This year's top programs cover the following categories:

1. Visibility and Communications 

Recognizes strategies that increase the visibility of senior centers and strengthen how they are understood and valued in their communities. This includes outreach and storytelling, branding and partnerships, reframing aging, and how a center presents itself through ambience and programs. 

2. Social and Support Services 

Recognizes programs and approaches that address economic security and basic needs, including benefits access, housing, food security, case management, transportation, legal or financial navigation, and systemic strategies that expand reach and access to services. 

3. Health, Wellness, and Nutrition 

Recognizes programs and approaches that improve older adults’ physical and/or mental well-being. This includes nutrition initiatives that expand or go beyond traditional congregate meals, fitness, disease prevention, mental health supports, and creative or expressive wellness programming 

4. Cross-Generational Connections 

Recognizes programs and approaches that build meaningful connections across generations through events, ongoing programming, shared learning opportunities, shared spaces, or service-based models. 

5. Social Connection and Engagement 

Recognizes innovative approaches that strengthen social connection and reduce isolation among older adults. This includes in-person, virtual, and hybrid models, as well as efforts that increase access to technology and build confidence in using digital tools to support participation and connection. 

6. Modernizing Senior Centers Innovation Award 

Recognizes transformative approaches that position a senior center to remain relevant and responsive to changing generations of older adults. This includes planning, adaptations to programs, operations, spaces, partnerships, or models of service that support long-term relevance and impact.