The Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards seeks to recognize outstanding individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations from across Tennessee. One nonprofit from each of Tennessee’s three Grand Regions will be selected for their outstanding community involvement and service.

Nominations are due on Friday, December 6, 2024.
NOMINATION PROCESS
To nominate a nonprofit, complete this form and submit a nomination narrative (300 words or less) that answers the below questions. One photo of volunteers is required. There is also space to upload two additional images and/or documents.

Address the following questions in the narrative:
1. How does the nonprofit engage volunteers to advance its mission and serve more people?
2. What types of services do volunteers with this organization perform?
3. What organizations or individuals benefit from the volunteer service?
4. What cities, towns, and/or geographic areas does your volunteer service cover?
5. In what ways has the nonprofit invested in a volunteer program?
6. How does this organization’s volunteer service impact and address a specific, compelling need in the community?
7. What makes the organizations’ volunteer service(s) unique or creative?
8. Describe how the organization has been innovative and proactive in meeting its mission/goal?

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
* Any nonprofit organization that has utilized volunteers to benefit the communities or the State of Tennessee in a substantial, important, or unique way. Nominations will be reviewed and the final selected honorees will be invited to be honored at the 2024 Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards on February 16, 2025.
* National Service programs (AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, RSVP, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, etc.) are encouraged to apply based on their volunteer involvement in their national service assignment.

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE?
*For-profit businesses or individuals.
*Previous Award Winners.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
*Nonprofits may be nominated by anyone or may self-nominate.
*The nomination narrative should specifically be formatted for the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards and address the questions listed above. If it is written as a nomination for another award, it will not be given to the judges for consideration of this award.
*If a nonprofit is nominated multiple times, the review panel will consider only the first nomination form submitted.

JUDGING CRITERIA
*Need: Service addressed a specific need or needs in the community (i.e. poverty).
*Action: Nominee actively involved its employees in the service.
*Innovation: The business used creative method(s) to solve community problems.
*Impact: The activity or service produced positive changes and provided an example to others.

Please email Volunteer Tennessee with any questions.
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