The Blackbaud Impression Awards shine a highlight on organizations and people who’re transferring the needle and attaining exceptional outcomes that make a distinction. A robust award nomination is your alternative to inform your story and showcase your influence. In the event you’re contemplating nominating your group, an inspiring chief, or a rising star for one in all our awards this 12 months, we’ve compiled some suggestions that can assist you craft a standout nomination and provides your nominee the very best likelihood at attaining recognition.
Uncovering Your Narrative
The preliminary step can usually be probably the most difficult – how do you establish which achievements need to be spotlighted? For freshmen, your success metrics and key efficiency indicators can present important route. Nonetheless, should you solely give attention to year-over-year progress, as an illustration, you would possibly overlook a story deeply linked along with your group’s historical past, mission, and imaginative and prescient. Beneath are some options on find out how to pinpoint a particular story that may provide help to genuinely stand out:
- Re-examine your group’s core values and goals. Essentially the most inspiring nominations originate from a spot of real ardour. This may provide help to inject enthusiasm and authenticity into your nomination in ways in which mere numbers can’t.
- Replicate on what achievements you’ve gotten celebrated along with your groups, board members, and supporters. Evaluate any press releases, media protection, or stories.
- Contemplate any new tasks or initiatives that have been launched prior to now 12 months. Following the passion surrounding your group’s present priorities is a wonderful option to acquire involvement and assist from others internally.
- What shocked you probably the most this previous 12 months? Discovering the sudden can usually result in compelling tales.
- The place have your Blackbaud know-how options made probably the most important influence this 12 months?
In case you are unsure the place to start, look at the earlier winners and finalists for inspiration. When you’ve recognized your narrative, the suitable award class will grow to be evident to you. We eagerly await your story!
Readability, Precision, and Outcomes-Targeted
Earlier than you begin writing your submission, it’s essential to plan prematurely. Refer again to the award class descriptions the standards, and the set of distinct software questions to make sure you tackle the important thing factors. This can be a beneficial methodology to make sure you collect the pertinent data, keep centered, and ship a high-quality nomination.
A transparent and compelling nomination will illustrate a narrative of transformation that demonstrates how your answer superior your group or college from one stage to a different. The applying questions comply with a construction that can assist you craft a transparent before-and-after narrative:
– What challenges did you encounter?
– What answer did you establish to beat the problem?
– What instruments did you make the most of to implement your goal answer?
– What adjustments occurred because of this?
Technological experience may be part of the nomination however attempt to keep away from getting slowed down by overly technical jargon or language. Focus extra on the outcomes and influence. Be private, be real, and be at liberty to incorporate anecdotes and private tales; in spite of everything, we’re all about celebrating the human accomplishments behind the know-how. Be pleased with your exceptional breakthroughs!
Present Us Some Proof in Numbers!
Numbers are an important type of proof to assist your influence. Offering quantifiable outcomes is a necessary, non-negotiable element of a sturdy nomination. In addition to the spectacular end-results, make sure that to incorporate information wherever potential all through numerous sections of the applying to assist illustrate the effectiveness of your answer. Keep in mind, your small tactical victories are equally necessary to share.
Every award class supplies instance proof factors to information you on metrics to share. Keep in mind, these are solely examples, and we’re not essentially looking for an ideal match. We perceive that artistic groups devise artistic options, and we goal to have fun that!
Don’t Go it Alone: Collaborate for a Stronger Nomination
Use the assets accessible, together with people with firsthand expertise and perspective. Moreover, incorporating a tone of collaboration into your nomination helps us perceive how groups labored collectively to realize a challenge or purpose.
In the event you’re not a assured or snug author, contemplate partnering with somebody that can assist you draft the content material. As an illustration, they might interview you to attract out probably the most important accomplishments. Your communications and advertising workforce may very well be notably helpful on this regard. A fascinating nomination is the results of collaborative workforce efforts, reflecting various views and experience inside your group, college, or firm.
Nail the Fundamentals and Don’t Procrastinate
Rigorously overview the nomination directions. Pay shut consideration to formatting, phrase limits, and deadlines. When you don’t should submit your nomination instantly, beginning early permits you time so as to add any further ideas later. A well-prepared nomination that follows the rules demonstrates professionalism and a spotlight to element, thereby rising your possibilities of making a constructive impression.
By following these steps, you may craft a standout nomination that showcases your group’s extraordinary achievements and positions you as a powerful candidate for the award. Nominations are due Friday, June 13! Better of luck, and will your efforts encourage and obtain the popularity they deserve!