Tips for Applying
Check to make sure you are eligible
The Citizens Awards are open to businesses of all sizes, trade associations, and chambers of commerce. Third parties may nominate a business, Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce, or trade association but should notify the nominated party prior to submission. Please note: Past winners are not eligible to submit an application for two years in the category for which they won. However, those who fall under this umbrella are more than welcome to apply in other categories!
Tell your story in a compelling way
As you craft your application, think about the story you are trying to tell, the key message you want to drive home, and make sure you’re positioning your organization in the right way. The Citizens Awards are not public relations awards; they are dedicated to corporate citizenship planning, execution, and results. The strongest nominations read more like corporate citizenship case studies rather than a PR summary. Applications should reflect corporate citizenship planning and execution, not just communications success.
Show us your stakeholders
Be sure to share the key players who shaped, validated, and engaged in your work. Stakeholder engagement is a way to illustrate the thought and strategy behind a program or initiative.
Prove impact
Show how the program affected the targeted people and/or communities. Show the impact through data – metrics and measurable results. Show how the program has benefitted the company and its employees.
Understand shared value
Shared value is a management strategy where companies work to solve societal challenges through business solutions. How does this strategy affect your overall business? Your employees? Your communities? Include any information that shows shared value was considered as you built your program.
Don't rush through the nomination form
Your nomination is judged solely on how you answer the questions on the nomination form. You are strongly urged to not stray from the question format presented, as it may result in an ineligible submission. Think strategically through the questions and collect the accompanying data ahead of time. Finalists’ descriptions will be posted publicly using information drawn from the application. Avoid copying and pasting language from a previous award application. Other programs measure different criteria; each of our categories ask for specific criteria. The better each question is directly addressed, the stronger the application.
Plan ahead
Late nominations cannot be accepted. Make sure to check with the U.S. Chamber Foundation team on the submission deadline.
Interested in hearing more tips and strategies? Watch our webinar on tips and strategies: