Guidelines for Caring Award Nominations

What characteristics and accomplishments are you looking for in a Caring Award candidate?

Caring Award recipients are role models who exemplify an extraordinary commitment to public service and social responsibility. Past recipients come from all walks of life, but are united in their deep concern for others. We seek to honor those who have demonstrated selflessness, exhibited a long-term commitment to service and the betterment of society, and who have had a significant impact on the lives of others in their community, nation, and /or the world. We particularly look for those who have founded an organization that is centered on serving others, as well as those whose efforts will last beyond their lifetime.

What are the guidelines to be nominated for a young adult Caring Award?

We classify our young adult Caring Award winners as those candidates who are nominated prior to their graduation from high school and/or their eighteenth (18) birthdays. Those candidates enrolled in junior college, college or universities are not illegible for the young adult Caring Award and the scholarship that accompanies the award.

How do I nominate someone for a Caring Award?

Simply complete the form on the front of this sheet and submit it, along with a written summary explaining why you think your nominee should be recognized, and the names and phone numbers of people to contact regarding your nominee’s activities. Young adult nomination letters should also state their date of birth, grade, and name of school. We recommend that a nomination form be supported by two (2) letters of recommendation, one from an educator and another from a sponsor in the community. It is beneficial to include newspaper articles, letters, and any additional information to support your nomination. Nominations for adults are accepted year round; however, if a nomination arrives at the end of our internal cycle (late spring), we will consider the nominee for the next year. Nominations for adults and young adults are accepted year round; however, if a nomination arrives at the end of our internal nomination process cycle (October ñ March), we may not be able consider the nominee for an upcoming award ceremony. Please note that nominations for high school seniors must be received prior to their date of graduation.

What is the National Caring Awards nomination process?

All of the adult and young adult nominations we receive are reviewed and evaluated. The Caring Institute staff and volunteers review every qualifying nomination we receive, conduct research and interviews, and recommend those nominees with exceedingly high standards to the Institute's Executive Advisory Board. The Official Caring Awards Ballot is prepared separately for adults and young adult nominees and then distributed to our Honorary Board of Trustees and all former Caring Award recipients to be voted on by secret ballot. Taking into careful consideration the results of the votes and the Caring Institute’s mission to represent a broad sampling of winners from all walks of life the Board of Directors and Executive Advisory Board then selects the adult and youth winners. Once a nominee is selected for an award we must confirm that they can be present to accept their award at our official ceremony to be inducted into the Frederick Douglass Museum and Hall of Fame for Caring Americans on Capitol Hall and attend the celebration events. If a nominee is unable to attend the upcoming awards ceremony then they will be schedule to receive their award at the next available opportunity and another finalist may be selected to fill the vacated award. Finalists not selected as award recipients may be considered for inclusion on future ballots.

How are Caring Award recipients honored?

Caring Award recipients are provided transportation to Washington, D.C. and honored in a series of special event culminating in the National Caring Awards Ceremony. We honor the winners at a VIP reception and provide for them public relations support and opportunities to meet with members of the press. The Board of Trustees and Honorary Board of Trustees presents to each winner a unique crystal statue and a certificate framed with a picture of Mother Teresa. The young adult recipients are provided a $2000 educational scholarship. Recipients are also profiled in feature article in CARING magazine. Both adults and young adults are inducted into the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans located at 320 A Street NE, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.