The North Carolina Peace Prize was established in 1996 to honor small North Carolina community-based, nonprofit groups that honor the values of the Peace Corps: helping people to help themselves and promoting peace and cross-cultural understanding. The prize consists of a financial contribution and recognition at a ceremony held in the spring in Raleigh, NC.
In 2025, to honor the legacy of Margaret Riley, the North Carolina Peace Corps Association (NCPCA) renamed its annual award the Margaret Riley Peace Prize. This change celebrates her lifelong commitment to global citizenship and her instrumental role in establishing both the National and North Carolina Peace Corps Associations. The prize continues to recognize a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization that embodies Peace Corps values.
Student Action with Farm Workers receiving the first ever North Carolina Peace Prize.
NCPCA awarded its 2025 North Carolina Peace Prize to Vets to Vets United, a local nonprofit organization that uses therapy dogs to help military veterans deal with challenges resulting from their service. Read more here.
Past Peace Prize Recipients
| Year | Recipient | |
| 2025 | Vets to Vets United | |
| 2024 | Arts Access North Carolina | |
| 2023 | Commotion | |
| 2022 | H.E.A.R.T.S. | |
| 2021 | ISLA | |
| 2020 | Anathoth Community Garden | |
| 2019 | Witness for Peace Southeast | |
| 2018 | Learning Outside | |
| 2017 | International Focus | |
| 2016 | The Refugee Center | |
| 2015 | Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County | |
| 2014 | Community Empowerment Fund | |
| 2013 | 4 the World | |
| 2012 | Achievement Academy | |
| 2011 | Uniting NC | |
| 2010 | USCRI US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants | |
| 2009 | Source Force | |
| 2008 | Nourish International | |
| 2007 | None awarded | |
| 2006 | My Sister’s House | |
| 2005 | Center for Participatory Change | |
| 2003 | High Country Amigos | |
| 2002 | Durham-San Ramon Sister Communities | |
| 2001 | NC Partners of the Americas | |
| 1999 | El Centro Hispano | |
| 1998 | SEEDS South Easton Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces | |
| 1997 | Friends of Glenwood Library | |
| 1996 | Student Action with Farmworkers |