Find out how to nominate an individual who’s making a positive impact for a Jefferson Award.
While nominations are open year round, nominations for the 2023 Jefferson Awards are open until January 17, 2023. Any nomination received after that date will be held for consideration in 2024. Our Board of Selectors is then tasked with voting for finalists.
Everyone is invited to submit a nomination for one of seven National Jefferson Awards categories each year. Other national level awards are determined programmatically and are not open for public nomination or selection.
The Board of Selectors votes to determine national award recipients. Our Selectors are chosen for their commitment to public service and span age, occupation, and point of view. They represent the diversity and individualism which is the hallmark of this country.
Recipients of a Jefferson Award receive a medallion of gold, silver, or bronze. Gold medallions are awarded to National recipients. Silver and bronze medallions are presented to individuals recognized locally.
Honoring those who put others first elevates and empowers them as individuals and organizations, and inspires others to do the same.
This award is given to an individual who has devoted their life to exceptional public service in any arena.
Publicly elected or appointed officials carry the greatest responsibility to serve the need of the American people, and to offer unusual leadership. By elevating the national standard of what it means to serve in public office, more qualified young people will aspire to civic leadership.
This award is given to any private citizen who plays a vital role in serving others and whose achievements are exceptional.
This award is given to any individual in professional sports who has used their platform for good and made an equal mark in the community. Recipients can include athletes, coaches, and professional sports leaders.
This award is given to the person who has done the most to uplift the position of disadvantaged Americans. Improvement in education, nutrition, working conditions, health services, housing or economic opportunities are among the achievements which can be rewarded.
This award is given to encourage youthful achievement in public service. Achievements in any field are eligible. Qualified for this category are persons who have not reached their 36th birthday prior to December 31 of the year in question.
This award is given to encourage the youngest Americans to deliver meaningful service to others. Achievements in any field are eligible. Qualified for this category are persons who have not reached their 26th birthday prior to December 31 of the year in question.
This award is designed to recognize a company who has truly done well by doing good.
This award is designed to recognize one of the countless employees across the country who have been recognized locally through our Champions program. This individual performs extraordinary public service outside the workplace. Our Champion partners recognize numerous employees each year with local Jefferson Awards. Our Board of Selectors chooses one for national recognition.
This award is designed to recognize five (5) of the countless individuals across the country who are performing extraordinary public service in their local communities. Our Media Partners recognize 1,000+ local grassroot unsung heroes each year with Jefferson Awards. Our Board of Selectors chooses five for national recognition.
Each year, student teams from our Leadership Communities compete against thousands of their peers be the representative for outstanding service at the National Jefferson Awards. One team per community is chosen. From these, our Board of Selectors chooses three for national recognition.
The rich history of the Jefferson Awards is marked with the names of many notable individuals — those who helped to establish the organization as well as those we have recognized across the years.
