Spirit of Giving Awards

Eligibility & Nomination Tips

• Volunteer services must have been performed in the Mid-South area during the previous calendar year.
• Nominee’s volunteer organization must serve the community at large.  Groups providing services to their members only are not eligible.
• Volunteer services must have been performed without pay. Services may be performed on work-release time or for student course credit. Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, such as gasoline, is acceptable.
• An agency whose nominee has won in a particular category will be ineligible to have further winners in that category for three years. However, agencies are encouraged to nominate volunteers in any category, as a form of recognition.
• Contribution checks must be made payable to qualifying nonprofit organizations as declared by the Internal Revenue Service through a 501 (c)3 status or a 107 (c)1, such as a public school or government agency.  If the organization for which the nominee was providing services is not eligible for a contribution, another qualifying agency may be designated. 
• Members or family members of Volunteer Mid-South’ staff, board of directors, chairman of Spirit of Giving Awards, and judges are ineligible.

Nomination Categories

ADULT – any ONE person between the ages of 18 and 64.

YOUTH – any ONE person under age 18.

SMALL GROUP – any TWO or more persons to NINE persons (family members and married couples included).

LARGE GROUP – any TEN or more persons (family members and married couples included).

SENIOR – any ONE person age 65 or older.

BOARD -- any ONE person who serves on the board of directors of a nonprofit organization.

AGENCY – any IRS designated 501 (c)3 nonprofit agency or 107 (c)1 political subdivision of the state such as a public school or governmental agency.

Winners receive a $500 contribution, payable to the agency for which the volunteer service was performed, with the exception of the youth category. The youth winner receives a $250 agency contribution and $250 savings bond to be used for post-secondary education.  Each winner will also receive an engraved individual award.

How to Complete a Winning Nomination

• Type directly into the nomination form & save with your agency's name.
• Answer ALL questions not exceeding three (3) total pages.
• Assume the judges know nothing about the nominee, organization or community.
• Make the story “come alive” for the judges.  Well-written nominations usually score higher.
• Proofread your nomination form.
• DO NOT send videos, scrapbooks, loose pictures, etc. 

ONLY Electronically submitted nominations will be accepted.

FAXES AND MAILED ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

NOMINATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 31st.