Accepting nominations for

United Way of Dane County

Community Volunteer Awards

Accepting nominations for

United Way of Dane County

Community Volunteer Awards

Accepting nominations for United Way of Dane County

Community Volunteer Awards

Community Volunteer Awards

United Way of Dane County has mobilized the caring power of our community for a century to create lasting, generational change. But we couldn’t do our important work without you! For more than 20 years, United Way of Dane County has recognized outstanding volunteers in our community through the Community Volunteer Awards. In 2022, we will be accepting nominations during April as part of our celebration of National Volunteer Month.

The Community Volunteer Awards are a great way to recognize those who are doing critical, impactful work to make our community a better place to live – for all. Nominate a deserving group or individual today! Recipients will be selected by a group of volunteer community members and recipients and nominees will be announced and celebrated during Seasons of Caring: Community Kickoff on August 23.

Additionally, we are seeking diverse, community-minded individuals to join the Community Volunteer Awards Selection Committee. This group works in conjunction with United Way staff to select award recipients in the categories of youth, individuals or groups, businesses and nonprofits. Learn more and sign up here.

United Way of Dane County has mobilized the caring power of our community for a century to create lasting, generational change. But we couldn’t do our important work without you! For more than 20 years, United Way of Dane County has recognized outstanding volunteers in our community through the Community Volunteer Awards. Nominations for 2022 are closed.

The Community Volunteer Awards are a great way to recognize those who are doing critical, impactful work to make our community a better place to live – for all. Recipients will be selected by a group of volunteer community members and recipients and nominees will be announced and celebrated during Seasons of Caring: Community Kickoff on August 23.

2022 Nominees

Click Here

2022 Award Recipients

Click Here

Nominations Open April 1!

Answer three questions about the nominee (in your primary language) telling us more about their work in our community. There are four ways to submit your nomination:
Complete online form (online Spanish form here)
• Download a fillable PDF here and email completed form to communityengagement@uwdc.org (Spanish fillable PDF here)
• Mail a completed copy of this printable nomination form to Community Volunteer Awards Nominations, 2059 Atwood Avenue, Madison WI 53704 (Spanish nomination form here)
• Call us at (608) 246-4380 to share responses via phone

Goodman Gemstone Youth Award: This award is presented to one youth who has shown outstanding volunteer leadership and hands-on work in our community. This youth (18 years or younger) receives $1,000 for the organization for which they volunteer and $1,000 for their own education. This award is sponsored by the Goodman fund in the United Way of Dane County Foundation.

Kathy Martinson Youth Award: This award is presented to one youth (18 years or younger) who has shown leadership and hands-on work in the community. This youth receives $500 for the organization for which they volunteer and $500 for their own education. This award is named in honor of Kathy Martinson who brought the Community Volunteer Awards to Dane County in 1990 and her 35 years of dedicated service to community volunteerism.

Lifetime Service Award: This award is presented to one individual who has shared their skills through volunteering and positively impacted the community throughout their lifetime. The recipient will receive $1,000 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed).

Outstanding Leadership Award: This award is presented to one individual who has shown outstanding volunteer leadership in the community. The recipient will receive $500 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed).

Distinguished Service Award: This award is presented to two individuals (or groups) who have shown outstanding leadership in the community. The recipients will each receive $500 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed).

Nonprofit Champion Award: This award is presented to one nonprofit organization for demonstrating leadership and innovation in transforming our community. The recipient will receive $1,000 for their organization.

Business Champion Award: This award recognizes a business that strengthens our community through volunteerism! All companies that volunteer at Dane County nonprofit agencies or schools are eligible to be nominated. The recipient will receive $1,000 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed). This award is sponsored by the Business Volunteer Network.

Mike McKinney Award: This award is presented to one recipient who embodies the spirit and volunteerism of long-time local leader Mike McKinney. The recipient will receive $1,000 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed). Mike’s passion focused on access to food, youth development and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Who is Eligible for an Award?

• Youth award recipients must be 18 years or younger.
• The nominee’s activities must impact Dane County.
• Activities can include, but are not limited to, serving nonprofits, neighborhood groups, schools and faith-based organizations.
• Volunteering can include paid time off and reimbursement for expenses.
• Previous nominees and recipients may be nominated again, but recipients of a 2020/2021 award may not be nominated in 2022.
Review the judging rubric for further insights into what to write and/or say about the nominee’s activities.
• The nominee’s activities should have occurred in the previous 12 months, but do not necessarily need to be ongoing.

 Restrictions:

• Employees of United Way of Dane County and their families may not participate as a nominator or nominee.
• Community Volunteer Award Selection Committee members must recuse themselves if they have an immediate family member who is nominated.

Who chooses the award recipients?

Recipients are selected by a group of volunteer community members who comprise the Community Volunteer Awards (CVA) Selection Committee. If you are interested in volunteering with the CVA Committee, please contact communityengagement@uwdc.org. We would love to hear from you!

The CVA Selection Committee uses scoring rubrics in order to ensure fairness and transparency. Nominators can read these in advance to know how the Selection Committee will score nominations. Click here for the scoring rubrics. The Community Volunteer Awards are community-driven and transparency in scoring nominations is important for equity and inclusion.

Should I tell the volunteers they’ve been nominated?

Yes! It is a great honor to be nominated for a Community Volunteer Award.

What happens after a volunteer is nominated?

After the nomination form is received, a congratulatory letter will be sent to the nominee. Then, the nominee will receive an invitation to Community Kickoff while the Selection Committee reviews all nominations.

Can I submit more than one nomination?

Yes, you can nominate an individual for more than one award. For the Nonprofit Champion and Business Champion awards, submit only once per entity and include all volunteer activities you want to be considered for the nonprofit or business.

Are only volunteers at United Way partner agencies eligible?

Volunteers throughout Dane County can be nominated as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

Goodman Gemstone Youth Award: This award is presented to one youth who has shown outstanding volunteer leadership and hands-on work in our community. This youth (18 years or younger) receives $1,000 for the organization for which they volunteer and $1,000 for their own education. This award is sponsored by the Goodman fund in the United Way of Dane County Foundation.

Lifetime Service Award: This award is presented to one individual who has shared their skills through volunteering and positively impacted the community throughout their lifetime. The recipient will receive $1,000 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed).

Outstanding Leadership Award: This award is presented to one individual who has shown outstanding volunteer leadership in the community. The recipient will receive $500 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed).

Distinguished Service Award: This award is presented to two individuals (or groups) who have shown outstanding leadership in the community. The recipients will each receive $500 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed).

Kathy Martinson Nonprofit Award: This award is presented to one nonprofit organization for demonstrating leadership and innovation in transforming our community. The recipient will receive $500 for their organization. This award is named in honor of Kathy Martinson who brought the Community Volunteer Awards to Dane County in 1990 and her 35 years of dedicated service to community volunteerism.

Nonprofit Champion Award: This award is presented to one nonprofit organization for demonstrating leadership and innovation in transforming our community. The recipient will receive $1,000 for their organization.

Business Champion Award: This award recognizes a business that strengthens our community through volunteerism! All companies that volunteer at Dane County nonprofit agencies or schools are eligible to be nominated. The recipient will receive $1,000 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed). This award is sponsored by the Business Volunteer Network.

Mike McKinney Award: This award is presented to one recipient who embodies the spirit and volunteerism of long-time local leader Mike McKinney. The recipient will receive $1,000 for the organization for which they volunteer(ed). Mike’s passion focused on access to food, youth development and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Who is Eligible for an Award?

• Youth award recipients must be 18 years or younger.
• The nominee’s activities must impact Dane County.
• Activities can include, but are not limited to, serving nonprofits, neighborhood groups, schools and faith-based organizations.
• Volunteering can include paid time off and reimbursement for expenses.
• Previous nominees and recipients may be nominated again, but recipients of a 2020/2021 award may not be nominated in 2022.
Review the judging rubric for further insights into what to write and/or say about the nominee’s activities.
• The nominee’s activities should have occurred in the previous 12 months, but do not necessarily need to be ongoing.

 Restrictions:

• Employees of United Way of Dane County and their families may not participate as a nominator or nominee.
• Community Volunteer Award Selection Committee members must recuse themselves if they have an immediate family member who is nominated.

Who chooses the award recipients?

Recipients are selected by a group of volunteer community members who comprise the Community Volunteer Awards (CVA) Selection Committee. If you are interested in volunteering with the CVA Committee, please contact communityengagement@uwdc.org. We would love to hear from you!

The CVA Selection Committee uses scoring rubrics in order to ensure fairness and transparency. Nominators can read these in advance to know how the Selection Committee will score nominations. Click here for the scoring rubrics. The Community Volunteer Awards are community-driven and transparency in scoring nominations is important for equity and inclusion.

Should I tell the volunteers they’ve been nominated?

Yes! It is a great honor to be nominated for a Community Volunteer Award.

What happens after a volunteer is nominated?

After the nomination form is received, a congratulatory letter will be sent to the nominee. Then, the nominee will receive an invitation to Community Kickoff while the Selection Committee reviews all nominations.

Can I submit more than one nomination?

Yes, you can nominate an individual for more than one award. For the Nonprofit Champion and Business Champion awards, submit only once per entity and include all volunteer activities you want to be considered for the nonprofit or business.

Are only volunteers at United Way partner agencies eligible?

Volunteers throughout Dane County can be nominated as long as they meet eligibility requirements.