ICF Recognized with ASAE 2026 Power of Associations Gold and Silver Awards for Scholarship and Belonging Programs

Commitment to Social Impact within the Coaching Community Honored by leading Organization for Associations –

Lexington, Kentucky, USA  — ICF was recognized with two 2026 Power of Associations Awards from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) recognizing the exceptional social impact of its programs across the coaching community through the ICF Foundation and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programs.

“At ICF, we believe in the power of coaching for social impact because we see it come to life every day. This starts within our own professional community,” said ICF CEO Magdalena Nowicka Mook. “We are grateful for these honors from ASAE, and inspired to keep building upon these efforts.”

• The ICF Foundation’s Scholarship Program earned an ASAE 2026 Gold Award. The Scholarship Program supports underrepresented groups around the world with a strong foundation to launch their coaching careers,
• The ICF DEIB Belonging Program earned an ASAE 2026 Silver Award, showcasing its impact toward building a coaching community where every voice is valued.

The ASAE Power of Association Awards honor programs that demonstrate the powerful role associations play in solving challenges, strengthening industries and professions, and improving communities.

“We are deeply honored to receive the 2026 ASAE Power of Associations Gold Award. The ICF Foundation Scholarship Program demonstrates the extraordinary impact that is possible when a global community invests in people and potential. By opening doors to coaching education, mentorship, and professional credentials, we are helping build a more diverse, accessible, and future-ready coaching profession. This recognition celebrates the collective efforts of our scholars, volunteers, ICF-accredited education providers, and the entire ICF ecosystem,” said Coura Badiane, Vice President of ICF Foundation.

The ICF Foundation Scholarship program supports underrepresented groups with ICF-accredited coach education, waived fees for the ACC credential, a year of ICF membership, and access to a mentoring coaching during the Level 1 accredited training program. It is made possible through partnerships with ICF-accredited coaching education providers that donate scholarship seats to qualified applicants. Since its launch in 2023, ICF Foundation has awarded 188 scholarships, and 76 recipients have completed their coaching education.

“Winning the 2026 ASAE Silver award affirms what we bring to life every day: diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential to who we are as an association and as a professional community. We are committed to a coaching community where every voice is valued so that every coach and client can thrive. This recognition honors the collective effort behind that work, and it motivates us to keep pressing forward on both what we have achieved and the gaps that remain.” said Dr. Aikyna Finch, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

This recognition reflects years of continuous effort to build a coaching community. ICF’s DEIB Report Card tracks progress and names the gaps that still need work; its Voices of Belonging series opens honest talks on topics that shape trust in the profession. Ongoing education workshops help coaches grow their skills in cultural competency and allyship.

“ASAE’s Power of Associations Awards recognize the very best of what our community can accomplish,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP. “This recognition honors organizations that don’t simply advance their own missions – they bring people together to solve complex challenges, strengthen industries and professions, and create lasting benefits for society. The ICF Foundation has demonstrated the vision, leadership, and commitment to make a meaningful difference, and we are proud to recognize its Scholarship Program as one of this year’s outstanding achievements.”

About The Power of Associations Awards

ASAE’s Power of Associations Awards recognize the association community’s economic and societal contributions locally, nationally and globally. ASAE will celebrate The Power of Associations Award recipients during its annual Summit Awards Dinner on September 22, 2026, at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.