21st Annual WSPN Philanthropy Awards Nomination Information

Nominations are now being accepted through Friday, June 30, 2023 for the 21st Annual WSPN Philanthropy Awards. Please click here to nominate. 

The West Suburban Philanthropic Network (WSPN), an organization dedicated to supporting development professionals and advancing philanthropy in the western suburbs of Chicago, calls for nominations for its 20th Annual Philanthropy Awards Ceremony to be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 9:00am to 11:00 am.

The purpose of the awards program is to recognize and celebrate those individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations that provide so much to sustain and enhance the rich philanthropic environment that is fundamental to the quality of life in the western suburbs.

Nominating Procedures:
Nominees must reside and/or support philanthropic organizations in the western suburbs of Chicago. There is no requirement to be a member of WSPN to nominate or to be nominated. All nominations must include at least one and up to three photos of the nominee. Nominations are due by midnight (CST) on Friday, June 30, 2023. All nominators will be contacted in early July to notify them of their application status. 

Awards Nomination Committee:
The WSPN Awards Nomination Committee comprises of active members from WSPN. If you are interested in helping with the Awards program, please contact Sarah O'Donnell. All applications will be fairly reviewed by the Awards Nomination Committee in early July and all decisions are considered final. Please note, the Committee may add additional subcategories as it sees fit. For example: in the Philanthropic Business of the Year, WSPN may elect to add a small business and a corporate subcategory to ensure an equitable level of opportunity.

Nomination Categories:

• Philanthropist of the Year: An individual or family that has demonstrated an exemplary model of financial support to nonprofits in the western suburbs and has served in nonprofit board/committee leadership capacities.
• Humanitarian of the Year: An individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary humanitarian effort and leadership to significantly impact the quality of life and the broader philanthropic culture in the western suburbs.
• Young Philanthropist of the Year: An individual or a group of youths under the age of 25 years old that has demonstrated emerging philanthropic leadership that encourages philanthropy and volunteerism in the western suburbs.
• Grantmaker of the Year: A corporate or foundation philanthropic officer who has represented the donor organization with professional leadership while providing exceptional assistance to the west suburban nonprofit community.
• Philanthropic Foundation of the Year: A foundation that has demonstrated a commitment to nonprofits in the western suburbs through financial support, leadership, and/or volunteerism. A family or business foundation may qualify for this category.
• Philanthropic Service Club of the Year: A foundation or service club that has demonstrated a commitment to nonprofits in the western suburbs through financial support, leadership, and/or volunteerism.
• Philanthropic Business of the Year: A business that has demonstrated a commitment to nonprofits in the western suburbs through financial support, leadership, and/or volunteerism.
• Nonprofit Executive of the Year: An individual who has taken a leadership role in advancing the philanthropic programs of the local charity. 
• Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year: An individual who has taken a leadership role in advancing the philanthropic programs of the local charity with which the individual serves as a volunteer.