BE ANYTHING MUSEUM CHOSEN AS A 2026 CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
Modesto, CA – The Be Anything Museum is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year by City Councilwoman Rosa Escutia-Braaton and California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, 4th District.
April 27, 2026
The Be Anything Museum is one of more than one hundred nonprofits that will be honored by their state senators and assemblymembers for their outstanding contributions to the communities they serve.
The Be Anything Museum is a community-centered nonprofit dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to imagine and pursue limitless possibilities for their futures. Through interactive exhibits, educational programs, and storytelling initiatives, the museum highlights diverse role models, celebrates creativity, and empowers visitors to see themselves in careers and paths they may never have considered. Central to its mission is its hands-on community work supporting women and entrepreneurs, offering mentorship, resources, and platforms that help turn ideas into sustainable ventures and amplify underrepresented voices in business. By partnering with schools, local organizations, and community leaders, the Be Anything Museum creates accessible, engaging experiences that foster confidence, curiosity, and representation—ensuring every individual believes they truly can “be anything.”
“We are deeply honored to be recognized as Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 4. This award reflects the incredible strength, creativity, and resilience of the communities we serve—especially the women, youth, and entrepreneurs who inspire our work every day. At the Be Anything Museum, we believe that representation and opportunity can change lives, and this recognition affirms our commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to pursue their dreams. I share this honor with our dedicated team, partners, and community members who continue to show what’s possible when we invest in one another.” Said Lourdes Uranday, Executive Director and Founder of the Be Anything Museum.
“We are grateful for the work of the Be Anything Museum and want to extend our congratulations for this well-deserved recognition,” said Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) which sponsors the initiative. “Nonprofits are among our country’s most trusted organizations and an integral part of civil society. There’s likely never been a more important time to lift up the contributions nonprofits make within the communities they serve.”
Nonprofits are well known for being problem-solvers, innovators, helpers, and advocates, but they are also a major economic force. According to “Causes Count 3.0,” a new report soon to be released by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is now the 3rd largest employer in the state, with approximately 1.5 million Californians working for nonprofit organizations. Collectively our state’s 110,000 501c3 public charities generate more than $430 billion in revenue each year.
Now in its eleventh year, the California Nonprofit of the Year initiative provides the opportunity for each California state legislator to recognize a nonprofit organization doing outstanding work in their district. The program culminates with a celebratory luncheon at the Capitol on California Nonprofits Day, which this year is May 20.
The program is sponsored by the CalNonprofits in partnership with the state Senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Nonprofit Sector. CalNonprofits, the leading policy voice for California’s nonprofit sector, focuses on advocacy, education, and research to build a more powerful and politically engaged nonprofit network across the state.


