Nomination Eligibility and Checklist

Please be prepared with the following information prior to submitting your nomination online. Online nominations are not able to be saved and edited.

Eligibility

The Be More Awards are presented to individuals and groups who have performed outstanding volunteer service in the community. Volunteer service must be performed primarily in Monroe County.

Nomination Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must volunteer with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or a school or government entity with equivalent exempt status. All cash awards are issued to qualifying nonprofit organizations; individuals do not receive monetary awards.
  • Both individuals and groups are eligible in applicable categories, but nominees may not receive awards in consecutive years.
  • Nominees may be renominated in future years if they remain actively volunteering.
  • Each nonprofit organization may submit up to three (3) nominations, with no more than one cash award per organization. There is no limit on nominations from unaffiliated individuals.
  • Volunteers whose service was completed entirely for course or service-learning credit are not eligible; volunteers who receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses remain eligible.
  • Nonprofit staff, community members, and relatives or friends of volunteers may submit nominations. Volunteers may not nominate themselves as individuals but may nominate a group of which they are a member.
  • The City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department (including its affiliated commissions and program divisions), the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, United Way of Monroe County, and any entities employing selection committee judges and their immediate family members are not eligible to to be nominated. No selection committee judge may nominate someone for a Be More Award, nor may they be nominated, as this constitutes a conflict of interest. Employees of these organizations, if they are not on the selection committee, are still eligible to submit a nomination provided the person they are nominating serves an organization or group not affiliated with their employer.
  • Nominee organizations must serve the broader community. Organizations that serve only their own members (e.g., religious, fraternal, or professional groups) are not eligible.
  • If a volunteer is nominated for service with multiple organizations, the cash award may be split at the discretion of the judges.

Nominee Information

  1. Name of Nominee, Nominee Group, Organization, or Business
  2. Best phone number (cell, home or work), email, home address
  3. Is your nominee
    • An individual
    • A Group (social, business-related, or school-related)
    • A couple
  4. If your nominee (including groups) is a current student, which school are they affiliated with?
  5. Your nominee's age (choose from range of ages: 1-17yrs, 18-25yrs, 26-59yrs, 60+ yrs)
  6. Years of volunteer service done in Bloomington or Monroe County.
  7. In which categories your nominee performed service? You can select all that apply to your nominee.
    • Animal Welfare
    • Arts & Culture 
    • Board Member
    • Education/Literacy
    • Environment or Sustainability
    • Health, Wellness, Recreation, or Fitness
    • Other ‐ General Service to the Community
  8. Photo of your nominee in action
  9. For groups: 
    • Number of total active members
    • Number of years your group has been active

Organization Information

  1. Primary organization your nominee(s) are representing name, mailing address, and website
  2. Executive Director’s name, phone, and email

Nominator Information

  1. Nominator name, mailing address, email, and phone
  2. Organizational affiliation and title (if applicable)

Nomination (300-word limit for each section, 100-word minimum for each section)

  1. Describe the nominee’s volunteer SERVICE.
  2. Describe the NEED for the nominee’s service.
  3. Describe the IMPACT or difference the nominee’s service made to the community. Estimate the number of people affected.
  4. WHY do you believe your nominee deserves the Be More Award?

How to Write a Compelling Nomination

  • Identify the person you want to nominate and start the process early.
  • Don't think you have to keep your nomination a secret or do it by yourself. Engage others to help identify details, craft language, and assist with proofreading.
  • It’s the quality, not the quantity of the nominations that count.

Tell a Story

The Selection Committee appreciates anecdotal and insightful stories that illustrate how your nominee exemplifies the qualities of the category of nomination. Help them SEE your nominee’s attributes and contributions with concrete examples.

  • Always assume that the selection committee/reviewer does not know your nominee.
  • Share what makes your nominated person/program/business special.
  • Describe unique characteristics that are more than just what a great or nice person this nominee is. 
  • Speak from your heart.

Highlight Impact

Has your nominee demonstrated or inspired impact in their area of service, your organization’s cause, the community, or the world? Be sure to mention it!

  • Be specific
  • Share the great things your nominee is doing!

Complete a 2026 nomination today!