Who do I contact with questions?
If you are having trouble with the online submission form, have general questions about the program or want more information, please contact us at Awards@PointsofLight.org or call our hotline at 202-729-8184.

What are the Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs?
Points of Light & Hands On Network, in partnership with several major national business and nonprofit organizations established the Awards for Excellence in Corporate Community Service in 1993, now the Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs, to recognize businesses that have made an organizational commitment to support company-wide employee and retiree volunteer efforts.

The Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs are centered around the Principles of Excellence for Workplace Volunteering – three values that serve as standards used to measure excellence in workplace volunteering. The Principles of Excellence are:

ACKNOWLEDGE that the workplace's employee volunteer efforts contribute to the achievement of its business goal.

COMMIT to establish, support and promote an employee volunteer program that encourages the involvement of every employee and manage the employee volunteer program like any other business function.

TARGET workplace volunteering at serious social problems in the community.

Why did Points of Light Foundation change the award program's name?
The name was changed to be more reflective of the broader shift of volunteering, occurring not just in the business sector but also in workplaces not traditionally defined as business (e.g. hospitals, universities, health affiliates, etc.).

What else is new this year?
Nominations will only be accepted in electronic format using the Online Submission Form. All supplementary materials should be uploaded through the Online Submission Form.

What types of businesses companies are eligible?
Any small, medium, large or international business that has an established and company-supported employee/retiree volunteer program directed toward addressing the community's serious social problems is eligible. See the Criteria for more detailed information.

Is a retiree program eligible for nomination separate from a company's overall employee volunteer program?
Nominations should describe the entire employee volunteer program rather than individual volunteer projects or programs. For this reason, a retiree program's volunteer efforts should be incorporated into the nomination of a company's overall employee volunteer program.

If I have submitted a nomination in the past, what are the guidelines for reapplying?
Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Program s past honorees are now eligible to reapply if five years or more have passed since receipt of the award. Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Program Citationists and businesses that have applied in previous years are eligible and encouraged to reapply for the awards.

If I am submitting a nomination for a company for which I do not work, should I notify the company?
Yes, the nominee is often able to provide the type of detailed information that is vital to the preparation of a comprehensive nomination. Therefore, we strongly encourage the involvement of the nominee throughout the nomination process.

When will I find out the results of the awards program?
Honorees will be recognized at our 2008 National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Atlanta, Georgia from June 1 - 3, 2008. Convened by the Points of Light & Hands On Network and the Corporation for National and community Service, this annual event brings together the nation's top community leaders from business and government programs.

When is the deadline for the Award?
The deadline is March 17th, 2008 by 5pm EST.