Refugee Council gets nod as nation builder

The organisation raised $250,000 during Refugee Week and inspired dozens of events by selling a cookbook with an online campaign of "share a meal, share a story".

Globally, NationBuilder was used to send 2.6 billion emails, raise $US376 million ($A522 million) in donations, mobilise almost 500,000 volunteers, make 25.7 million contacts, launch 14 million petitions and host 453,000 events.

Using the cookbook full of recipes provided by local refugees, anyone could donate and get involved despite pandemic chaos and restrictions.

"It was an easy and tangible way for people to support Refugee Week from their own home," the council's digital fundraising officer Afiqah Rozali said.

"The timing of COVID boosted the success of the cookbook as well because people were stuck at home and looking for activities to occupy their time," she said.

Refugee ambassadors featured on SBS Food as the word, and aromas, spread.

Noor Azizah and Rnita Dacho also joined The Cook Up host Adam Liaw to create some family favourites.

NationBuilder co-founder and chief executive Lea Endres said people have won unexpected victories and saved lives in their communities amid the upheaval and chaos of the past year.

"They lent a helping hand, stood up, and showed up," she said.

Among other winners are a small charity that launched an overnight effort to feed tens of thousands in New Orleans in the aftermath of a hurricane.

When the pandemic hit the town of Hastings in England, locals were isolated and formed HEART (Hastings Emergency Action Resilience Team) to rally a volunteer base to support locals in need. 

Grassroots movement #ChangeTheNow began in Canada and uses the methods behind online gaming to motivate students and educators, and has now gone global.

"Choosing to lead is no small thing," Ms Endres said.

"We're grateful to all the people who said yes this past year when it really mattered."

She expects 2022 to be another year of upheaval and leadership, and success.