Aspire Awards Criteria and Submission Details
About
 The aasp Aspire Awards are designed to recognize and acknowledge the outstanding and innovative solutions that advancement services professionals are forging to solve the complex challenges facing their organizations.
- Convey professional expertise
- Reflect best practices
- Celebrate innovation
- Recognize achievement
- Elevate the profession and professional opportunities
Please note your submission details, including screenshots and data, may be used in a public display at aasp Summit.
Categories & Criteria | Submissions & Evaluations | Application Terms & Conditions
Extended Deadline - Submissions due by May 10, 2024.
Categories & Criteria
Program or project must demonstrate an innovative solution utilizing today’s technology to answer the profession’s most complex problems.
Examples: Developing a new app, implementing a new technology platform successfully, combining or using technology from other sectors and applying it to non-profit, data modeling and tools for improvement, technology that simplifies processes and could have broader-based appeal and use
Additional consideration may be given to development of a new technology that offers professional solutions to advancement services workforce development or delivery. Technology may not be part of a commercial or monetized product that is patented and/or licensed, nor can it be held with exclusive and/or exclusionary rights.
One Diamond Aspire Award may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed significant is forward-focused, revolutionary, and/or may positively alter the profession.
Up to three Sapphire Aspire Awards may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed as aspirational and/or positively impacts the profession.
Criteria
Each submission shall include an explanation and samples, as appropriate, detailing any or all of the following:
- Site-specific project or programming addressing a need, challenge, or obstacle
- Solution(s)
- Model development
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- Adaptation
Program or project conceived of and implemented for a specific need, problem, or challenge, and/or initiated to help meet institutional fundraising or campaign goals.
Examples: Improvements to organizational function, such as; unique and new approaches to training and professional development, something that shows impact and change from development/advancement dept and effect on the overall organization
One Diamond Aspire Award may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed significant, is forward-focused, revolutionary, and/or may positively alter the profession.
Up to three Sapphire Aspire Awards may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed as aspirational and/or positively impacts the profession.
Criteria
Each submission shall include an explanation and samples, as appropriate, detailing any or all of the following:
- Site-specific project or programming addressing a need, challenge or obstacle
- Solution(s)
- Model development
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- Adaptation
Program or project conceived of and implemented for a specific need, problem, or challenge.
Examples: New approaches to prospect/screening, prospect/donor management, processes and new approach/way of thinking about prospect development work/structure, collaboration with gift officers
One Diamond Aspire Award may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed significant, is forward-focused, revolutionary, and/or may positively alter the profession.
Up to three Sapphire Aspire Awards may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed as aspirational and/or positively impacts the profession.
Criteria
Each submission shall include an explanation and samples, as appropriate, detailing any or all of the following:
- Site-specific project or programming addressing a need, challenge or obstacle
- Solution(s)
- Model development
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- Adaptation
Program or project conceived of and implemented for a specific need, problem, or challenge.
Examples: Data integrity projects, process efficiencies, quality assurance/risk management
One Diamond Aspire Award may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed significant, is forward-focused, revolutionary, and/or may positively alter the profession.
Up to three Sapphire Aspire Awards may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed as aspirational and/or positively impacts the profession.
Criteria
Each submission shall include an explanation and samples, as appropriate, detailing any or all of the following:
- Site-specific project or programming addressing a need, challenge, or obstacle
- Solution(s)
- Model development
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- Adaptation
Program or project conceived of and implemented for a specific need, problem, or challenge.
Examples: New and creative approaches that demonstrate gift impact and keep donors engaged in the organization, use of new tools/technology, new approaches to manage high volume yet keep personalized aspects, team management/organization, collaboration with gift officers, donor recognition/events, or videos
One Diamond Aspire Award may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed significant, is forward-focused, revolutionary, and/or may positively alter the profession.
Up to three Sapphire Aspire Awards may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed as aspirational and/or positively impacts the profession.
Criteria
Each submission shall include an explanation and samples, as appropriate, detailing any or all of the following:
- Site-specific project or programming addressing a need, challenge or obstacle
- Solution(s)
- Model development
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- Adaptation
Program or project conceived of and implemented by partnering with an external entity in an exemplary way to advance your organization’s mission.
Examples: Partnering with an external organization to learn from each other through shared resources, experiences and collaboration, creating a community space whether digital or in person for Advancement Services professionals from external organizations to share best practices and lessons learned, working with an external organization to solve a shared problem.
One Diamond Aspire Award may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed significant, is forward-focused, revolutionary, and/or may positively alter the profession.
Up to three Sapphire Aspire Awards may be awarded.
Project or initiative deemed as aspirational and/or positively impacts the profession.
Criteria
Each submission shall include an explanation and samples, as appropriate, detailing any or all of the following:
- Site-specific project or programming addressing a need, challenge or obstacle
- Solution(s)
- Model development
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- Adaptation
Submission & Evaluation
Each submission shall include:
- Title Page: Entrants must select the category being entered, the title of the entry (each title must be unique or it will be renamed), the name of the organization/client institution, and a 100-word description of the program, project or initiative.
- Two-Page Summary: A concise summary no longer than two pages must be uploaded as a PDF. Each of the criteria should be addressed. The evaluation method(s) and outcomes and impact must be addressed. The two-page summary should be typed using no smaller than a 10-point typeface and one-inch margins.
- Supporting Materials: Each entry may contain up to four separate PDFs (no more than 225 pages each with a maximum file size of 10MB) of any detailed supporting materials referenced in the summary. Pages should be no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches (A4 size for international entries) with a minimum of 10-point typeface and one-inch margins.
- Images: Each entry may upload up to three graphic images representative of the program, project, or initiative. Each image must meet the following requirements:
- Acceptable file formats include jpg, tif, eps, native Illustrator, Photoshop, or hi-res pdf files.
- Artwork should be at least 1,000 pixels or more in either width or height.
- No entry should contain private, confidential, or privileged information.
Evaluation:
- Adherence to submission guidelines
- Innovation
- Exploration of the contemporary issue(s)
- Development of new models
- Demonstrated awareness of the complex and unique needs of the group and/or organization
- Use of resources
- On-time completion
- Adherence to budget
- Outcomes, impact, and evaluation
Submission Form:
Submissions due by April 26, 2024.
Application Terms & Conditions
- All entries must be submitted digitally online.
- An entry fee of $50 per submission shall be payable, online and by credit card or applicable e-transfer, at the time of submission. All entry fees are at the expense of the applicant.
- An application packet may be submitted in more than one category. Each submission is considered singular and requires an entry fee.
- Every entry constitutes acceptance of aasp’s Terms and Policies.
- With payment, an entry is considered final. No entry shall be judged without complete payment of the entry fee(s).
- All entries become the property of aasp. By entering, applicants grant aasp public use of application materials, including on the website, in print and in social media.
- By submitting any entry to the aasp Aspire Awards, each applicant affirms he/she/they is in compliance with professional ethics and standards, and will adhere to any and all obligations and requirements.
- Entries submitted in previous years are not eligible.
- All Jury selections shall be considered final with authorization by the aasp Board.
- All winners will be announced and publicized by aasp.
- aasp reserves the right to rule any entry ineligible.
- Partnering with external vendors, consultants, and freelancers is allowed, however, the work should primarily be designed/conceptualized and overseen by staff at an aasp member institution. The primary applicant must be a member institution and submissions from vendors on behalf of the member institutions will not be accepted.
- An application packet may be submitted in more than one category but may only win one award per year. Each submission is considered singular and requires an entry fee.
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