The Impact Awards recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions of professionals who demonstrate innovation, dedication, and measurable impact in volunteer engagement in their organization and across the field.
The Impact Awards honor three professionals in two categories annually:
Emerging Leaders (3-7 years) have some years of experience and have already demonstrated exceptional promise, innovation, and the ability to drive change in volunteer engagement practices.
Exemplary Leader (7+ years) have shown sustained excellence, leadership, and measurable impact in the field of volunteer engagement over time. These individuals are role models for others, demonstrating deep commitment and significant achievements in program development, management, and community impact.
The Impact Awards offer a platform to publicly acknowledge these leaders, inspire others, and provide an opportunity to showcase their successes, strategies, and the positive impact they’ve made in their organizations and communities.
This award has elevated the importance of volunteer engagement at my organization. We are a government agency that has recently changed leadership. Receiving this honor has opened more channels of communication with upper management and I have been able to share more about the critical work or local staff and volunteer do to help us accomplish our mission.
To win this was really a personal capstone to a long career doing volunteer management. To be recognized by my peers was such an honor. We are an amazingly multi-talented group of professionals who truly can do it all. To be acknowledged by people who know what this work is all about was truly humbling.
Questions? Email impactaward@volunteeralive.org.
Anyone who has served in the field of volunteer engagement in the US and its territories for a minimum of 3 years. Current AL!VE board members are not eligible. AL!VE committee members, volunteers, and nonmembers are eligible.
Nominations may come from professional acquaintances or from candidates themselves. The nomination form is open for 4 weeks each summer. Winners are announced at the annual Hybrid Conference every October.
Thank you to our judging panel comprised of former winners and current board members who dedicate time, energy, and expertise to the selection process. Special thanks to our awards sponsor, Better Impact, who enables us to offer cash prizes for professional development to the awards recipients.
