Meaningful volunteer projects can begin with one person, one idea, and a desire to make a difference. The Volunteer Project Impact Award from the Global Volunteer Recognition Program™ recognizes active members who make a significant contribution to a volunteer project that produces a documented community benefit or positive result. This member-exclusive award celebrates the impact created through service. It may recognize a member who planned a project, supported its implementation, completed essential work, improved an existing initiative, or helped a team accomplish something meaningful. Formal leadership titles, large budgets, and extensive volunteer teams are not required. Projects are reviewed according to their purpose, the member’s contribution, and the difference created for a cause, organization, community, or group of people. Volunteer Project Impact Award at a Glance Membership required: Yes Recognition period: January 1 through December 31 Minimum volunteer hours: None Minimum project size: None Eligible locations: Local, national, international, in-person, remote, or virtual Who may apply: The member or someone nominating the member Digital certificate: $10 Printed certificate: $15 plus shipping Special recognition: Community Engagement Distinction available for qualifying projects submitted in advance for calendar and social media awareness What Does the Volunteer Project Impact Award Recognize? The award recognizes a specific volunteer project and the member’s meaningful contribution to its success or impact. Qualifying contributions may include: Creating or developing a volunteer project Helping plan or organize an event, campaign, or initiative Completing essential volunteer work Coordinating supplies, schedules, participants, or resources Improving an existing volunteer project or process Creating educational, advocacy, or awareness materials Supporting project outreach or community participation Solving a problem that affected the project Helping a team accomplish its service goal Creating a resource that continues benefiting others Contributing specialized knowledge, creativity, or skills Completing an independent service project The award recognizes the individual member, not merely the existence of the project. Applicants must explain what the member personally contributed and how that contribution supported the project’s results. Who Is Eligible? To qualify, the recipient must: Have an active Global Volunteer Recognition Program annual membership for the applicable recognition year Complete or substantially contribute to a volunteer project Complete the qualifying project activity between January 1 and December 31 of the applicable recognition year Provide information explaining the project and the member’s role Document the resulting community benefit or impact Provide sufficient supporting information for review Receive approval through the award review process The membership year and project recognition year must match. For example, a project completed during 2027 requires a 2027 Global Volunteer Recognition Program membership. This is a criteria-based award rather than a competition limited to one recipient. Multiple members may qualify when they independently meet the requirements. What Types of Volunteer Projects May Qualify? Eligible projects may include: Food, clothing, hygiene, toy, book, or school-supply drives Environmental cleanups and conservation projects Educational programs and community resources Fundraising projects benefiting an eligible cause Military, veteran, or first-responder support projects Youth, senior, caregiver, or family support initiatives Animal welfare and rescue-support projects Health, wellness, and public-awareness campaigns Disaster-relief and emergency-preparedness projects Arts, creativity, and cultural-service initiatives Mentoring and skill-sharing projects Advocacy and civic-engagement initiatives Remote and digital volunteer projects Community events Accessibility and inclusion projects Independent service projects Improvements to an existing volunteer program Projects may be completed through a nonprofit organization, school, college, workplace, service club, faith community, pageant system, neighborhood group, civic organization, community program, or independent volunteer initiative. The project does not have to take place through a registered nonprofit, but it must provide a genuine charitable, educational, environmental, humanitarian, community, or public benefit. Does a Project Have to Be Large to Qualify? No. The Global Volunteer Recognition Program recognizes that meaningful impact is not always measured by large numbers. A smaller project may qualify when it responds thoughtfully to a real need and produces a meaningful result. Projects are considered within the context of their purpose, available resources, intended audience, and community. Impact may be demonstrated through: People, families, students, or community members served Supplies, meals, books, cards, or other items distributed Funds raised for an eligible cause Volunteers or participants engaged Educational or practical resources created Locations, trails, parks, waterways, or public areas improved Animals or animal-welfare organizations supported Awareness, participation, or engagement generated A process or volunteer program improved A community need resolved or reduced Feedback from participants or beneficiaries An ongoing resource or benefit created Applicants should provide the most accurate information available. Estimated results should be clearly identified as estimates. Individual and Team Projects A member may qualify for work completed independently or as part of a team. For team projects, the application must describe the member’s individual contribution. Participation in a group project does not automatically qualify every participant for the award. If multiple Global Volunteer Recognition Program members contributed substantially to the same project, each member may apply separately. Each person’s contribution and eligibility will be reviewed individually. What Information Is Required? The applicant or nominator should provide: Member’s full name Applicable recognition year Project name Organization, group, or community served Approximate project dates Project purpose or community need Member’s specific role Actions completed by the member Project results or impact Available participation, donation, or outcome information At least one form of supporting information Supporting information may include: Photographs Letters or emails Event flyers or promotional materials Donation or distribution records Project reports Public webpages Facebook events or social media posts News articles Testimonials or feedback Volunteer communications Contact information for an organization representative or someone familiar with the project Other materials that help document the member’s contribution and project impact The project does not need to be preapproved or preverified. The Global Volunteer Recognition Program will review the information submitted and may contact the applicant, nominator, organization, or project contact if clarification is needed. Award Options and Pricing Digital Certificate, $10 The digital option includes: Eligibility and documentation review Personalized Volunteer Project Impact Award certificate Electronic delivery A certificate that may be saved, printed, or shared digitally Printed Certificate, $15 Plus Shipping The printed option includes: Eligibility and documentation review Personalized printed Volunteer Project Impact Award certificate A digital copy of the certificate Shipping to the address provided at checkout Shipping is calculated separately at checkout. Offering digital and printed certificates separately allows members to select the format that fits their needs while helping the Global Volunteer Recognition Program keep annual membership dues as affordable as possible. Optional Community Engagement Distinction Members who share their upcoming projects with the Global Volunteer Recognition Program may qualify for an additional Community Engagement Distinction at no extra cost. This distinction recognizes members who not only complete an impactful project but also help increase community awareness, invite participation, and connect others with opportunities to serve. A qualifying certificate will include: Volunteer Project Impact Award With Community Engagement Distinction How to Submit a Project for Calendar and Social Media Awareness The preferred submission method is to create a complete public Facebook event and invite the Global Volunteer Recognition Program Facebook Page to participate as a co-host. To request consideration: Create a public Facebook event through the Facebook Page connected to the project, organization, business, community group, or initiative. Include the project date, time, location or virtual participation information, purpose, organizer, registration details, safety requirements, and contact information. Invite the Global Volunteer Recognition Program Facebook Page as a co-host. Submit the invitation far enough in advance for review, preferably at least 14 days before the project. Wait for the co-host invitation to be reviewed and accepted. Complete the project. Submit the project results and documentation required for the Volunteer Project Impact Award. Only a Facebook Page can add another Facebook Page as a co-host. Members who cannot create an event through a Facebook Page may provide a link to a complete public Facebook event for possible sharing. However, only projects accepted through the official co-host process qualify for the Community Engagement Distinction. What Happens When a Co-Host Invitation Is Accepted? An accepted event will: Appear on the Global Volunteer Recognition Program Facebook event calendar Be added to the monthly volunteer calendar when applicable Receive a Featured Member Project label Be considered for social media sharing Help additional volunteers discover the project Provide public documentation supporting a future award application Acceptance as a co-host does not guarantee attendance, participation, donations, newsletter placement, a separate social media post, or a specific level of promotion. Calendar placement and promotional opportunities remain subject to review, available space, submission timing, platform functionality, and current program policies. Community Engagement Distinction Requirements To receive the complimentary Community Engagement Distinction, the member must: Have an active membership for the applicable recognition year Submit the project before it occurs Create a complete public Facebook event through an eligible Facebook Page Invite the Global Volunteer Recognition Program Facebook Page as a co-host Receive approval and acceptance of the co-host invitation Complete the project Submit the required results and documentation Qualify for the Volunteer Project Impact Award Creating an event or sending a co-host invitation does not automatically qualify the project for calendar placement, promotion, the award, or the Community Engagement Distinction. Independent Project and Promotional Co-Host Notice Unless a project is specifically identified as an official Global Volunteer Recognition Program project, it remains independently organized and operated by the member, organization, or community group listed as the primary host. Independently organized Facebook events should include the following notice: This project is independently organized by [ORGANIZER NAME]. The Global Volunteer Recognition Program™ is participating as a promotional co-host to help increase awareness and does not operate, supervise, insure, or assume responsibility for the project. Participants are responsible for reviewing the organizer’s eligibility, safety, registration, and participation requirements. The primary organizer remains responsible for project planning, permissions, supervision, accessibility, participant safety, insurance, legal requirements, background checks, transportation, fundraising compliance, and all other operational responsibilities. The Global Volunteer Recognition Program may decline or remove projects that are unsafe, unlawful, discriminatory, misleading, primarily commercial, inconsistent with the program’s mission, or lacking sufficient information. How Is the Award Reviewed? The Global Volunteer Recognition Program considers: Purpose: Did the project address a genuine community or public need? Contribution: What did the member personally do? Completion: Was the project or qualifying portion of the project completed? Impact: What changed or improved because of the project? Initiative: Did the member contribute meaningful effort, skill, creativity, or problem-solving? Documentation: Is there sufficient information to understand and confirm the project and contribution? A formal leadership title is not required. Members whose primary achievement involved directing, mentoring, coordinating, or inspiring others may also wish to explore the Excellence in Volunteer Leadership Award. Members interested in strengthening their project-planning and leadership skills can explore the Global Volunteer Recognition Program Leadership Academy. Important Award Policies Active membership is required for the applicable recognition year. Purchasing the award does not replace the project, documentation, or eligibility requirements. The submitted project must be completed before the award is issued. Recognition is issued only after the information has been reviewed and approved. Additional information or clarification may be requested. A member may receive the Volunteer Project Impact Award no more than once for the same recognition year. A member may qualify again in a future year through a new project or significant new impact from an ongoing project. Printed certificates are optional and require shipping. Calendar acceptance does not guarantee award approval. Award approval does not guarantee calendar placement or promotional features. The award does not represent academic credit, professional licensure, grant approval, nonprofit status, or endorsement by an outside organization. Please review the Global Volunteer Recognition Program Frequently Asked Questions for additional information about membership, recognition, digital products, shipping, and award eligibility. Frequently Asked Questions Is Global Volunteer Recognition Program membership required? Yes. The Volunteer Project Impact Award is a member-exclusive recognition. The recipient must have an active membership for the year in which the qualifying project was completed. Is there a minimum number of volunteer hours? No. The award is based on the member’s contribution and the project’s impact rather than a required number of hours. Members seeking hours-based recognition may explore additional volunteer awards and recognition opportunities. Does the project have to be completed through a nonprofit? No. Independent, school-based, workplace, neighborhood, pageant, faith-based, civic, and community projects may qualify when they provide a genuine public or community benefit. Can a remote or virtual project qualify? Yes. Remote and digital volunteer projects may qualify when the member demonstrates a meaningful contribution and documents the resulting impact. Can someone nominate a member? Yes. A member may apply directly, or another person may provide the nomination and supporting information. Can several members receive recognition for the same project? Yes, but each member must apply separately and document their individual contribution. Approval for one participant does not automatically qualify the entire team. Does the project have to be submitted before it occurs? Advance submission is not required for the standard Volunteer Project Impact Award. It is required for the Community Engagement Distinction and calendar consideration. Does a Facebook co-host invitation guarantee promotion? No. Invitations are reviewed before acceptance. Accepted events may appear on the event calendar and may be considered for additional promotion, but specific promotional placement, reach, attendance, or participation is not guaranteed. Does calendar placement guarantee the award? No. The completed project and member’s contribution must still meet the Volunteer Project Impact Award requirements. What is the difference between the digital and printed options? The $10 digital option includes the review and a personalized electronic certificate. The $15 printed option includes the review, a printed certificate, and a digital copy. Shipping for the printed certificate is calculated separately. Can a member earn this award more than once? A member may receive the award once per recognition year. The member may qualify again in a future year through a new project or significant new impact from an ongoing initiative. Celebrate the Difference Your Project Created Volunteer projects turn ideas into action and action into measurable community impact. The Volunteer Project Impact Award gives active Global Volunteer Recognition Program members an affordable and meaningful way to document what they accomplished and celebrate the difference their service created. Not yet a member? Explore Global Volunteer Recognition Program annual memberships and begin building your record of volunteer service, project impact, and community leadership.
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