Prudential Sprit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level.
The program's goals are to applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. Over the past 19 years, more than 370,000 young Americans have participated in the program, and more than 100,000 of them have been officially recognized for their volunteer efforts.
We promote great deeds for youngsters across the United States of America, and welcome entrants also from across the world. Our list of extra locations is found below.
If you would like to find out more about us, do not hesitate to contact us .
The program's goals are to applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. Over the past 19 years, more than 370,000 young Americans have participated in the program, and more than 100,000 of them have been officially recognized for their volunteer efforts.
We promote great deeds for youngsters across the United States of America, and welcome entrants also from across the world. Our list of extra locations is found below.
If you would like to find out more about us, do not hesitate to contact us .
| How does the program work? |
In the United States, each program year begins in September, when information and application instructions are mailed to all middle level and high schools in the 50 United States and Washington, D.C., and to the following officially designated local organizations:
Through these schools and local organizations, students are encouraged to complete an online application by November 4.
Local Honorees are selected at participating schools and organizations in November. From these winners, an independent judging organization names the top middle level and high school volunteer in each state and Washington, D.C. Results are announced in early February. Then, 10 National Honorees are chosen by a panel of prominent public figures, and announced at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May.
Local Honorees are selected at participating schools and organizations in November. From these winners, an independent judging organization names the top middle level and high school volunteer in each state and Washington, D.C. Results are announced in early February. Then, 10 National Honorees are chosen by a panel of prominent public figures, and announced at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May.
Any young person who:
- is in grades 5-12 as of November 4,
- is a legal resident of any U.S. state or Washington, D.C.,
- has engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least partly during the 12 months prior to the date of application, and
- submits a completed application to a school principal or the head of an officially designated local organization by November 4.
The application must:
- describe an individual's community service activity or an individual's significant leadership in a group activity that has taken place during the previous year,
- be completed and submitted to a school principal or the head of an officially designated local organization by November 4, and
- be certified by the principal of a middle level or high school or the head of an officially designated local organization. These individuals should review implementation instructions carefully.
What do honorees win? |
- Students chosen as Local Honorees receive a Certificate of Achievement from their schools or organizations. Those who qualify (50 hours of service for age 14 and younger, 100 hours for those older) also receive the President's Volunteer Service Award.
- State Honorees receive an award of $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for national recognition events.
- National Honorees receive an additional award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their schools or organizations, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a non-profit, charitable organization of their choice.
