John W. Gardner Leadership Award

Nominate an Extraordinary Changemaker for Gardner Leadership Award

Our community of changemakers works tirelessly to make positive change in the lives of those we serve across the country. And each year we honor one exceptional leader whose work exemplifies the vision of IS founder John W. Gardner to transform, mobilize, and unify people, institutions, or causes to improve our communities and nation.

You’re invited to nominate for consideration a social innovation champion who represents the breadth of diversity of our community at large who has:

Significantly and demonstrably empowered constituencies,
Strengthened participation and/or inspired movements, and
Raised the capacity of others to advance the common good.

The winner will receive the Gardner Award this fall at Upswell 2020. Nominations may be submitted through Friday, April 17, 2020, 11:59 pm PST. Please see FAQs below for nomination submission details.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION HERE

About the Award

The John W. Gardner Leadership Award was established in 1985 to honor outstanding Americans who exemplify the leadership and the ideals of John W. Gardner (1912-2002), American statesman and founding chair of Independent Sector. Independent Sector presents the award each year to an individual whose leadership in or with the nonprofit community has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes that improve the quality of life on our planet.

FAQS

What is the John W. Gardner Leadership Award?

The John W. Gardner Leadership Award honors visionaries who have empowered constituencies, strengthened participation, and inspired movements; builders – people who, quite apart from personal achievements, have raised the capacity of others to advance the common good; and those whose leadership has either had national or international impact or, if at the regional level, has attracted wider recognition and imitation. Award recipients may be the creators of needed institutions or may concentrate on education and advocacy that changes public opinion. Whatever means they use, their work has transformed their chosen field, has served as a role model to other fields, and has had a significant impact on advancing not only their own institutional interests, but also the broader interests of the charitable community.

Who is eligible for the award?

The award honors visionaries who have empowered constituencies, strengthened participation, and inspired movements; builders – people who, quite apart from personal achievements, have raised the capacity of others to advance the common good; and those whose leadership has either had national or international impact or, if at the regional level, has attracted wider recognition and imitation. Award recipients may be the creators of needed institutions or may concentrate on education and advocacy that changes public opinion. Whatever means they use, their work has transformed their chosen field, has served as a role model to other fields, and has had a significant impact on advancing not only their own institutional interests, but also the broader interests of the charitable community. Two or more individuals, whose combined leadership demonstrates a strong and successful collaboration resulting in the breadth of impact and advancement of the common good contemplated by the Award, are eligible to be nominated and honored jointly.

How can I nominate someone for the award?

You may submit your nomination by completing an online form. The nomination period opens on Monday, February 3, 2020 and closes on Friday, April 17, 2020, 11:59 pm PST. Note: Nominations must be made without the candidate’s knowledge.

What is the judging process?

All nominations will be evaluated by a national blue-ribbon panel. Additional information may be requested for finalists. The winner will be selected and notified in the summer; the award will be presented in the fall at Upswell 2020, October 14-16, in Pittsburgh, PA. The winner must be able to confirm their availability to accept the award in person at the award ceremony.

What is the deadline for submission?

The nomination submission deadline is Friday, April 17, 2020, 11:59 pm PST.

When will the awardee be notified?

The awardee will be notified in the summer of 2020.

Where will the award be presented?

The award will be presented during Upswell 2020, October 14-16, in Pittsburgh, PA. The awardee must be able to accept the award in person at Upswell 2020.