What is the Jefferson Award?
The Jefferson Awards were founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard. The mission was to establish a nationally recognized award for outstanding community and public service.

Individuals are nominated through a nationwide network of Jefferson Awards Media Sponsors. Each media sponsor solicits nominations of individuals who work for the betterment of their communities through volunteer and public service.

The American Institute of Public Service selects one nominee from each sponsor to attend the Jefferson Awards National Celebration of Service in Washington D.C. Past recipients include in part Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Ken Burns, Paul Newman, Max Cleland, and John Carpenter. 

How to nominate someone
Only individuals are eligible for this award. Any local resident or organization can submit nominations. Simply complete the nomination form along with the following information:

1. A typewritten or computer letter (up to one full page) stating your reasons for this nomination. Be specific: cite clear examples of his or her volunteerism.
2. Include biographical material (not more than two pages) listing the nominee’s public or community service.
3. Mail the package to: Jefferson Award, The Blade, 541 N. Superior St., Toledo, OH 43660

How Winners Are Chosen
A panel of judges will review all nominations and select four local citizens to receive the local Jefferson Medallion at a formal awards event in March 2012. Information about these four honorees will be forwarded to the American Institute of Public Service in Washington, D.C. One of those individuals will be selected as the overall “Toledo Jefferson Award winner” and will be sent along with a guest to Washington on an all-expense-paid trip to receive the national award at the Institute’s banquet this summer.

Nomination form:

click here to fill out online nomination form

Or send in your form to:
Jefferson Awards, The Blade
541 N. Superior St.
Toledo, OH 43660

click here to download/print (pdf) form to send in