The Goldman Environmental Foundation recently announced the six winners of its 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize. This is the 23rd year the foundation has awarded the prizes to grassroots leaders from the six inhabited continental regions. Each winner will receive a $150,000 cash prize.

This year's recipients include emerging leaders who are not afraid of the challenges they face in working to protect their communities and the environment.

Ikal Angelei of Kenya received the award for risking her life to fight the Gibe 3 Dam construction, which would disrupt indigenous communities' access to water around Lake Turkana. Caroline Cannon of the U.S. battled to protect Arctic waters from offshore oil and gas drilling. Sofia Gatica from Argentina is organizing local women to fight indiscriminate toxic agrochemical sprays in soy fields after her infant died from pesticide poisoning. Ma Jun from China, Evgenia Chirikova of Russia and Edwin Gariguez from the Philippines were also awarded prizes for their above-and-beyond efforts.

Foundations that are giving away large awards to individuals could benefit from nonprofit financial management to ensure each account is properly overseen before and after the prize ceremony.