We are excited to announce that NAVPLG has refreshed its awards program to better recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals, agencies, and programs in volunteer engagement. We are proud to introduce these new and refined award categories, which highlight the innovation, dedication, and leadership that drive positive change and strengthen our communities.

The National Association of Volunteer Program Leaders in Government (NAVPLG) is dedicated to recognizing excellence in volunteer engagement within public agencies and community programs. The NAVPLG Achievement Awards celebrate the commitment, innovation, and leadership of individuals, government agencies, and organizations that advance volunteerism and public service. These awards honor those who demonstrate outstanding achievements in creating inclusive, impactful volunteer programs, fostering community partnerships, and exemplifying NAVPLG’s core values of leadership, education, advocacy, networking, and information exchange. Each award highlights the dedication and innovation that contribute to the vitality of communities and the success of public sector volunteer initiatives.

AGENCY AWARDS

Innovative Program Award: This award honors the remarkable accomplishments of a government or tribal program led by a NAVPLG member that has designed and implemented a creative and impactful volunteer-driven program or service benefiting local government and the community.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Lifetime Achievement Award: This prestigious award celebrates an individual who has dedicated their career to advancing volunteer engagement and has made significant, lasting contributions to the field.

New Volunteer Professional Award: This award recognizes a NAVPLG member with 3 to 5 years of experience in volunteer administration, whose primary responsibility involves volunteer leadership, and who has shown exceptional promise and dedication to the field.

Outstanding Public Official Award: This award acknowledges a nominated, elected, or appointed public official—such as commissioners, board members, or state and federal representatives—who has been an influential advocate for volunteer engagement, significantly benefiting a NAVPLG member agency.

Outstanding Volunteer Professional Award: This award honors a NAVPLG member with more than five years of experience in volunteer administration. The recipient must demonstrate exemplary leadership in volunteer management and embody NAVPLG’s core pillars: Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Networking, and Information Exchange.

OTHER AWARDS

Award of Merit: The NAVPLG Board bestows this award to recognize exemplary contributions by both members and non-members in the field of volunteer administration. The award may be presented in the following categories:

• Individual: Recognizes an individual for exceptional work in volunteer engagement.
• Organization: Honors a commercial, non-profit, or government organization that has made significant contributions to advancing volunteer engagement.
• Program: Acknowledges programs that have overcome significant challenges—such as budget constraints, staffing shortages, or leadership transitions—and have achieved successful outcomes.

Community Collaboration Award: This award is given to a NAVPLG member or their affiliated government agency that has demonstrated exceptional leadership or partnership in public and private community collaboration. Recipients are recognized for volunteer engagement initiatives that have measurably improved quality of life in their local communities. This award highlights innovative programs that address pressing local issues, including public health, education, environmental sustainability, and social equity, showcasing a strong commitment to creating sustained, positive community change.

2025 AWARD NOMINATIONS OPENING SOON

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

2024 Recipients

2024 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator Award: Kim Nishihara, Queen Creek, Arizona
2024 Award of Merit: Gretchen Jordan, AL!VE
 

2023 Recipients (see article)

2023 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator Award: Kellie Vitaich, City of Davis, California.
2023 New Volunteer Administrator Award: Brian Beach, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
2023 Innovative Program Award: City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2023 Award of Merit: Corina Sadler, CVA, City of Plano, Texas
2023 Rising to Excellence Award: Volunteer Gwinnett, Gwinnett County, Georgia
 

2022 Recipients (see article)

2022 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator Award: Jody Cook, City of Columbia, Missouri
2022 Innovative Program Award: Volunteer Gwinnett, Gwinnett County, Georgia
2022 Rising to Excellence Award: 3rd Cavalry Regiment & Cen-Tex Partnership at Fort Hood, Texas
 

2021 Recipients (see article)

2021 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator Award:  Tibby Larson, City of Salem, Oregon
2021 Innovative Program Award: City of Shawnee, Kansas - Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program
2021 Rising To Excellence Award:  City of Santa Clarita, California
2021 Rising To Excellence Award:  Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia 
 

2020 Recipients

2020 - No Awards Presented due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
 

2019 Recipients (see article)

2019 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator Award: Meghan Delaney, VolunteerNow - Dallas, TX
2019 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator Award:  Christine Stansfield, Sno-Isle Libraries
2019 Innovative Program Award: City of Dublin, Ohio - Alexa Pilot Project

2018 Recipients (see article)

2018 New Volunteer Administrator: Roxanne Flores-Achmed, City of Killeen, Texas
2018 Innovative Program Award: Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Open Canvas Project - Deconstruct - Reimagine
2018 Award of Merit: City of Kettering, OH - Kettering Leadership Academy
 

2017 Recipients (see article)

2017 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator:  LeeAnn Harvey, Volunteer! Decatur, Decatur, GA
2017 Innovative Program Award: City of San Jose, CA - The Sunday Series
 

2016 Recipients

2016 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator:  CHRISTINE NARDECCHIA, City of Dublin, OH
2016 New Volunteer Administrator: SHAYLON SCOTT, City of Dallas, TX
2016 Innovative Program Award: CITY OF KETTERING, OH
 

2015 Recipients

2015 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator: SUE IREY. City of Carlsbad, CA

2015 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator: JORG HRUSCHKA,City of Fort Lauderdale, FL

2015 Award of Merit: CHANDLER POLICE DEPT (VIPS), Chandler, AZ
 

2014 Recipients (see article)

2014 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator: Kathy Halstead, O’Fallon, Missouri
2014 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator: Anthony Richardson, Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District,  Jurupa Valley, CA
2014 Innovative Program Award:  Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department, Gilbert, Arizona, Kim Yonda
2014 Award of Merit: Volunteer Tyler – Tyler, TX
 

2013 Recipients (see article)

2013 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator: Susan Hawes, Portland Parks & Recreation – City Nature East
2013 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator: Sheryl Ivey, Salt Lake County, Utah
2013 Innovative Program Award:  VolunteerLEON , Walk a Day in a Soldier's Boots
 

2012 Recipients (see article)

2012 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator: Robin Popik, City of Plano, Texas
2012 Innovative Program Award:  Volunteer!Decatur, Decatur, Georgia, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
 

2011 Recipients

2011 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator: Stuard Driessen, Outagamie County, Wisconsin
2011 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator: Janice Johnston, City of Pottsville, Pennsylvania
2011 Innovative Program Award:  Arlington Community Volunteer Network (CVN), Arlington County, Virginia

2010 Recipients

2010 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator: Glenis Chapin, Marion County, Oregon
2010 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator: Jerrod Gray, City of San Jose Housing Department, California
2010 Innovative Program Award:  Arapahoe County's Volunteer Connections Program, Colorado
 

2009 Recipients

2009 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator: Donna Koehler – Boulder County Public Health, Volunteer Services Program Manager, Boulder, Colorado
2009 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator: Corina Sadler, City of Plano, TX
2009 Innovative Program Award:  Glendale Fire Department Crisis Response Program, Glendale, Arizona

2008 Recipients

2008 Outstanding Volunteer Administrator: Joe Lancaster, Syracuse City School District