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Governor's Volunteer Awards

About the Awards

The Governor’s Volunteer Awards honor the individuals and groups who strengthen communities across South Carolina through service.

While every volunteer contributes in important ways, these awards ճանաչ those whose dedication and impact truly stand out. For many, being nominated is itself a meaningful and well-deserved recognition.

All nominees will receive an official letter of recognition from the Governor, Together SC, and the United Way Association of South Carolina.

Individual Award Categories:

  • Disaster Recovery Volunteer of the Year
    Recognizes an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to disaster response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts in South Carolina.
  • Community Leader of the Year
    Honors an individual who has provided outstanding leadership in advancing programs, projects, or initiatives that address community needs.
  • Direct Service Volunteer of the Year
    Celebrates an individual who provides exceptional hands-on service to individuals, organizations, or the broader community.
  • Youth Volunteer of the Year
    Recognizes a volunteer age 19 or younger who demonstrates a strong commitment to service. The voluntary nature of their contribution is a key consideration.
  • Legacy Volunteer of the Year
    Honors an individual with 10 or more years of continuous volunteer service who has made a lasting impact in their community.
  • Robin Burns Volunteer Administrator of the Year
    Recognizes a professional in volunteer administration who demonstrates excellence in leadership, service, and advancement of the field.
  • AmeriCorps SC Member of the Year
    Honors a currently serving AmeriCorps member who exemplifies the program’s mission to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement.
    Recipient selected by the SC Service Commission.

Group Award Categories: 

  • Disaster Response Volunteer Group of the Year: A group (business, civic group, family, network) that, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, rose up in a profound way to help their fellow South Carolinians respond, regroup, and recover. 
  • Business Volunteer Group of the Year: A corporation, business or trade association that has demonstrated commitment to the community by supporting volunteer activities.  
  • Community Volunteer Group of the Year: (could include a neighborhood group, civic club, or family) A group that has been instrumental in designing or sponsoring a program or project to benefit an individual, organization, or the community, demonstrating and performing with commitment and initiative.

 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must:

    • Be a South Carolina resident
    • Perform volunteer service within South Carolina
    • Serve without financial compensation (except for eligible professional categories)
    • Have been active within the past 12 months in the nominated category
    • Not be a previous winner in the same category

Nomination Guidelines
  • You may submit multiple nominations; however, each individual may only be nominated in one category
  • Nominations may include up to two supporting documents (e.g., articles, brochures, or letters of recommendation)
  • All materials must be submitted electronically through this website
  • Nominations become the property of the Governor’s Awards Committee and will not be returned
  • The committee reserves the right not to select a winner in a category if the criteria are not met

Selection Process

A panel of volunteer administrators from across South Carolina will review all nominations.

Committee members will recuse themselves from any category where a conflict of interest exists. Final selections are made based on impact, service, and commitment.

The committee may choose not to present an award in every category.