The Blackbaud Influence Awards shine a highlight on organizations and people who’re transferring the needle and attaining outstanding outcomes that make a distinction. A robust award nomination is your alternative to inform your story and showcase your influence. Should you’re contemplating nominating your group, an inspiring chief, or a rising star for one in all our awards this yr, we’ve compiled some suggestions that can assist you craft a standout nomination and provides your nominee the absolute best probability at attaining recognition.
Uncovering Your Narrative
The preliminary step can usually be probably the most difficult – how do you identify which achievements need to be spotlighted? For newbies, your success metrics and key efficiency indicators can present important path. Nevertheless, if you happen to solely concentrate on 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 strategies on learn how to pinpoint a particular story that may provide help to genuinely stand out:
- Re-examine your group’s core values and aims. 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.
- Mirror on what achievements you’ve gotten celebrated along with your groups, board members, and supporters. Overview any press releases, media protection, or studies.
- Contemplate any new initiatives or initiatives that have been launched prior to now yr. Following the keenness surrounding your group’s present priorities is a superb solution to acquire involvement and help from others internally.
- What shocked you probably the most this previous yr? Discovering the surprising can usually result in compelling tales.
- The place have your Blackbaud know-how options made probably the most important influence this yr?
If you’re 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 turn out 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 upfront. Refer again to the award class descriptions the standards, and the set of distinct utility questions to make sure you deal with the important thing factors. This can be a helpful technique to make sure you collect the pertinent info, 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 faculty 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 determine to beat the problem?
– What instruments did you make the most of to implement your goal answer?
– What adjustments occurred in consequence?
Technological experience might 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 happy to incorporate anecdotes and private tales; in spite of everything, we’re all about celebrating the human accomplishments behind the know-how. Be happy with your outstanding breakthroughs!
Present Us Some Proof in Numbers!
Numbers are a vital type of proof to help your influence. Offering quantifiable outcomes is an important, non-negotiable element of a strong nomination. Apart from the spectacular end-results, ensure to incorporate knowledge wherever doable all through numerous sections of the applying to assist illustrate the effectiveness of your answer. Bear in mind, your small tactical victories are equally necessary to share.
Every award class gives instance proof factors to information you on metrics to share. Bear in mind, these are solely examples, and we aren’t essentially in search of 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 sources obtainable, 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 venture or objective.
Should you’re not a assured or comfy author, think about partnering with somebody that can assist you draft the content material. As an illustration, they may interview you to attract out probably the most important accomplishments. Your communications and advertising and marketing staff may very well be notably helpful on this regard. A fascinating nomination is the results of collaborative staff efforts, reflecting various views and experience inside your group, faculty, 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 must submit your nomination instantly, beginning early permits you time so as to add any extra 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 possibly can craft a standout nomination that showcases your group’s extraordinary achievements and positions you as a robust candidate for the award. Nominations are due Friday, June 13! Better of luck, and should your efforts encourage and obtain the popularity they deserve!