The Alliance for Nonprofit Management honors excellence in capacity building "best practices" each year. The Taproot Foundation received the award because it has revolutionized how – and from where – the nonprofit sector receives support in an era of reduced government funding for social services. Even when funder budgets are in the red, the Taproot Foundation can utilize human capital to ensure that nonprofits have the resources they need to thrive.

The Commonwealth Club is the oldest and largest public affairs forum in the United States, and has hosted prominent men and women in every field of human endeavor since its founding in 1903. Aaron Hurst was among the half- dozen national and international leaders selected to receive the 21st Century Award, which is given by INFORUM to young leaders shaping the world of the 21st Century. Other recipients in 2007 were the co-founders of YouTube, Chad Hurley and Steven Chen, singer and political activist Bono, and the producer of An Inconvenient Truth, Laurie David.

Listen to the podcast of Aaron's speech at the Commonwealth Club.

Social Venture Network recognized the positive example the Taproot Foundation is setting for other business leaders and its potential to make a significant impact in leveraging the power of business for positive change.

The Manhattan Institute’s annual award honors non-profit leaders who have found innovative, private solutions for America's most pressing social problems. The Taproot Foundation was recognized as an exemplary model for bringing new resource – namely the skills of the American business community - to strengthen the infrastructure of nonprofit organizations.

In recognition of exemplary nonprofit organizations, Fast Company and the Monitor Group conduct the annual Social Capitalist Awards, honoring entrepreneurs solving the world's toughest problems with creativity, ingenuity, and passion. The Taproot Foundation was recognized in 2006 as one of two Rising Stars - "a social capitalist with extraordinary potential."

Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, identifies and invests in leading social entrepreneurs – supporting the individual, idea and institution through all phases of their career. In 2005, Ashoka recognized the Taproot Foundation's innovative approach to boosting civic participation, by electing Taproot Foundation’s President and Founder, Aaron Hurst, to the Fellowship. There are more than 1,500 fellows in 53 countries implementing innovative ideas for change in their communities, countries and continents.

The Taproot Foundation received the 2004 Excellence in Nonprofit Marketing Award from the San Francisco Chapter of the American Marketing Association for its leadership in bringing volunteerism into the marketing profession. Past winners of the Excellence in Marketing Award include Google, LeapFrog Toys and Apple Computer.

Blue Ridge Foundation’s mission is to help develop effective strategies for connecting people living in high poverty communities to the opportunities, resources, and support needed to fulfill their full potential. They accomplish this by incubating start-up nonprofits and providing the infrastructure needed to turn innovative ideas into sustainable, effective organizations. The Taproot Foundation was invited to join the Blue Ridge Foundation network in 2003. Blue Ridge Foundation’s support includes funding, strategic advice, office space, a community of fellow social entrepreneurs, and back-office support.

The Draper Richards Foundation funds selected social entrepreneurs in a variety of public service areas, including education, the environment, arts, health, and community and economic development. The Foundation’s support is based on the structure of a venture capital fund, providing financial support as well as strategic and organizational assistance. The Draper Richards Foundation elected Aaron Hurst to its fellowship for social entrepreneurship in recognition of the Taproot Foundation’s innovative model for providing professional services to nonprofits using teams of volunteers from the business community.