Innovative Program Award
Award Description:
The Innovative Program Award honors a government or Tribal program led by a NAVPLG member that has designed and implemented a creative and impactful volunteer-driven initiative. This award recognizes programs that demonstrate originality, effectiveness, and measurable benefits to government services and the communities they serve.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible, nominees must:
- It is a program operated by a government agency or Tribal Nation.
- Be led or managed by a current NAVPLG member in a leadership role related to volunteer engagement.
- Feature a volunteer-based or volunteer-supported component that is central to the program’s success.
- Demonstrate innovation in design, delivery, or strategy.
- Not have received this award in the past three years.
Nomination Process & What to Expect
To submit a nomination, complete the online form, which includes:
Nominator Information
- Full Name
- Organization Name
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Job Title
- Relationship to the Nominated Agency
Program Information
- Program Name
- Name of Government Agency or Tribal Nation
- Government Entity Type (Select one: Federal, State, Local, Tribal Nation, U.S. Territory, Public College/University, Public K-12 School District, Military Institution, Public Special Purpose District, or Contracted NGO)
- Name and Title of Key Contact Person (typically the NAVPLG member)
- Is the key contact a current member of NAVPLG? (Yes/No)
Award Criteria Questions
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Describe the volunteer-driven program being nominated. (Include its purpose, structure, and how it fits within the agency’s mission. 500-word limit)
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What makes this program innovative? (Explain how it introduces new ideas, technologies, partnerships, or practices in volunteer engagement. 500-word limit)
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How have volunteers been central to the program’s success? (Detail volunteer roles, recruitment, training, and how volunteers have contributed to outcomes. 400-word limit)
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What measurable impact has the program had on the agency and/or the community? (Include data, stories, or other evidence showing improvements or benefits. 400-word limit)
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How does this program reflect NAVPLG’s core pillars: Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Networking, and Information Exchange? (Describe how one or more of these pillars are demonstrated. 300-word limit)
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Why should this program receive the Innovative Program Award? (Summarize what sets this initiative apart and its long-term potential. 500-word limit)
Supporting Materials
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Upload Supporting Documents (Optional but encouraged. Examples: Letters of recommendation, testimonials, media coverage, impact reports, etc.)
Nominations must be submitted by the specified deadline. Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel consisting of NAVPLG Board members, volunteer administrators, government representatives, and invited experts.
For questions about the nomination process, please contact awards@navplg.org.
If you are filling out this form for the first time, please click the New Submission button on the left.
If you are returning to edit or complete a previous submission, please fill out the email address and access code you set up previously and click Edit Submission.