Awards to Texas organizations, groups or individuals to recognize outstanding dedication to voluntarism and community service to benefit their fellow Texans. The Foundation seeks to honor organizations and individuals that have dedicated a long period of time to volunteer work and have made sustainable positive impacts over the years through their commitment.

Award Categories:

1) Governor’s Lonestar Achievement Award

This award recognizes the outstanding service of an individual who has impacted the delivery of social services in Texas. Nominees should demonstrate a minimum of 15 years of serving and engaging others. Lonestar Achievers are those rare individuals who see impossible dreams and make them realities.

Performance: Did the nominee devote a minimum of 15 years to their cause? Did they provide a measurable impact of service? Did they forge partnerships, increase the capacity of a community/organization, and promote an ethic of service and volunteerism? Has the community/organization benefitted because of their work?

Sustainability: Has a lasting difference been made over the years because of the nominee’s commitment? Can the community/organization sustain the change into the future?

2) First Lady’s Rising Star Award

This award recognizes the innovative efforts of an individual 18 years or younger serving and inspiring his/her community. Nominees should demonstrate leadership, perseverance and creativity. Rising Stars use their unique talents to serve others and often engage those around them to join their cause.

Performance: Did the nominee show creativity, leadership, perseverance and commitment through their efforts? Did the nominee bring about change? Did they engage and influence others to join their cause? Did they promote an ethic of service through their work?

Sustainability: Will the impact of the nominee’s work most likely continue into the future? Are their efforts sustainable beyond their involvement?

3) Community Leadership Award

This award recognizes an individual/group/organization for strengthening their community through outstanding partnerships, service and volunteerism. Community Leaders understand the importance of service and develop connections between groups and individuals to help them craft collaborative solutions to local needs. They exhibit a dedication to their communities that inspires those around them to serve. Any individual, group of individuals, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, civic groups, government agencies, public institutions or public education institutions can be nominated for the Community Leadership Award.

Performance: Did the nominee leverage their skills and knowledge to bring together representatives from different community organizations to solve a local social challenge? Did their solution address not only immediate needs but also the root causes of the issues they were tackling?

Sustainability: Did the nominee help create relationships that will last beyond the current collaborative program? Could this model be utilized to solve other community challenges? Will their current program be continued beyond their involvement?

4) Senior Corps Community Impact Award

This award recognizes a Foster Grandparent, RSVP, or Senior Companion (programs funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service). The Senior Corps volunteer has demonstrated community impact by recruiting and/or managing significant numbers of volunteers for on-going or incident specific service such as emergency response; or has exhibited extraordinary commitment to children and young people with exceptional needs; or has contributed significantly to assisting adults in maintaining their independence.

Performance: Does the nominee’s work focus on the organization’s or the individual’s long- and short-term needs? Have they involved other members of the community in their work? Can they quantify their success?

5) AmeriCorps “Make a Difference” Award

This award recognizes the exemplary achievement of an AmeriCorps member currently serving the State of Texas in any of the following categories: AmeriCorps VISTA; AmeriCorps*Texas; AmeriCorps National; or National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC.) The AmeriCorps member has achieved extraordinary impact in his or her community by helping to ensure the sustainability of a program or a nonprofit organization by building service capacity, or by improving lives through direct service.­

Performance: Does the nominee’s work focus on the organization’s long- and short-term needs? Have they involved other members of the community in their work? Can they quantify their success?

Sustainability: Can the program, initiative or recipients of service impacted by the nominee continue benefitting beyond the nominee’s involvement? Can the program, initiative or methodology be replicated elsewhere?