OneStar Foundation is pleased to accept nominations for the 37th Annual Governor's Volunteer Awards! The Governor's Volunteer Awards honor the extraordinary impact of individuals and organizations in Texas that have made a significant and measurable difference in their communities through exemplary service and volunteering. 

Awardees will be honored in the fall at an evening reception at the Texas Governor's Mansion, hosted by Honorary Chair Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott and OneStar Foundation.

Nominations will open soon. Please check back shortly to submit your nominations.

 The deadline to submit your nomination is Thursday, May 14, 2020.

If you have questions or require assistance in completing the nomination form, please contact us at gva@onestarfoundation.org or (512) 287-2035.

• Award Categories
• Guidelines
• Judging Process
• Past Award Winners

This award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of an individual 18 years or younger serving and inspiring his/her community. Nominees should demonstrate leadership, commitment to service, and the ability to inspire others to serve. Rising Stars mobilize others to achieve measurable impact on critical issues within their communities. Nominees understand the importance of collaboration and cross-generational partnerships.

Partners in Education Award

This award recognizes an individual or group that demonstrates measurable impact on a recognized need within a public, charter or parochial school(s). The Partner has implemented innovative and/or informed or evidence-based solutions to further educational goals for students. Nominees are committed to long term results and employ an evaluation component for continual learning and improvement of the program or intervention.

Service to Veterans Award

Nominees may include individuals or organizations that have designed program(s) or services to meet the needs of military-connected families or individuals. The exemplary service will show respect for the unique challenges of military-connected families and individuals. The awardee will demonstrate cross-sector engagement including significant input from those served.

Higher Education Community Impact Award – University

This award recognizes a university that supports and encourages civic engagement and volunteering as a core value. Nominees demonstrate how students are engaged in intentional cross sector collaboration to address one or more identified needs within the community. The institution is considered a valuable partner in addressing community needs either through coarse curriculum or intentional service learning.

Higher Education Community Impact Award – Community College

This award recognizes a community college that supports and encourages civic engagement and volunteering as a core value. Nominees demonstrate how students are engaged in intentional cross sector collaboration to address one or more identified needs within the community. The institution is considered a valuable partner in addressing community needs either through coarse curriculum or intentional service learning.

Corporate Community Impact Award

This award recognizes a private sector entity, including small businesses, for implementing employee volunteer programs that have demonstrable community impact. Nominees have community service as a core value and business strategy. Nominees go beyond episodic volunteering and are committed to long-term community engagement. Corporations or other for-profit, private sector entities/businesses are eligible for the Corporate Community Impact Award.

Community Leadership Award

This award recognizes an individual, group, or organization for strengthening their community through intentional partnerships. Nominees understand the importance of service and developing connections between groups and individuals and forge collaborative solutions to meet local needs. They exhibit a dedication to their community that inspires those around them to serve. Any individual, group of individuals, or faith-based or community organization including civic groups can be nominated for this award.

National Service “Make a Difference” Award

This award recognizes the exemplary achievement of a national service who is currently serving or has served the State of Texas. The volunteer has achieved extraordinary impact above and beyond the scope of their service requirement.

• Self-nominations or nominations by an immediate family member will NOT be accepted.
• The volunteer service must have been performed in Texas serving primarily Texans.
• A significant amount of volunteer service must have been performed during or after calendar year 2019 (with the exception of nominations in the Governor’s Lone Star Achievement Award category, which recognizes lifetime achievement).
• Nominators are encouraged to submit multiple nominations.
• In the event that a single nominee is nominated multiple times, the review panel will consider only one of the nominations.
• Previous winners are not eligible for nomination again for five years after receiving the award.
• Current OneStar Foundation staff and board members and their immediate families are not eligible to receive an award.
• Nominations may be submitted through our online nomination form or via mail or fax. Please contact us at gva@onestarfoundation.org or (512) 287-2035 to request a printed paper version of the nomination form.

• Nominations will be accepted until Thursday, May 14, 2020.
• OneStar staff will screen all submissions for eligibility and appropriateness.
• A panel of judges comprised of Governor-appointed state service commissioners and the Office of the First Lady will select the award recipients based on scoring criteria.
• Nominators will be notified of their selection status by June 2020, and award winners will be announced by Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott in August 2020. 
• If your nominee is selected for an award, you will be required to submit a bio and high-resolution photos of the nominee, including one headshot and images depicting the nominee in service. Information from nominations may be released to the media and to elected officials.

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Past Award Winners