Crafting a Profitable Blackbaud Influence Awards Nomination

The Blackbaud Influence Awards shine a highlight on organizations and people who’re transferring the needle and attaining exceptional outcomes that make a distinction. A robust award nomination is your alternative to inform your story and showcase your influence. When you’re contemplating nominating your group, an inspiring chief, or a rising star for considered one of our awards this 12 months, we’ve compiled some suggestions that will help you craft a standout nomination and provides your nominee the absolute best likelihood at attaining recognition. 

Uncovering Your Narrative 

The preliminary step can usually be probably the most difficult – how do you identify which achievements should be spotlighted? For learners, your success metrics and key efficiency indicators can present important route. Nonetheless, should you solely deal with year-over-year development, as an illustration, you would possibly overlook a story deeply related together with your group’s historical past, mission, and imaginative and prescient. Beneath are some options on how you can pinpoint a particular story that can assist you to genuinely stand out: 

• Re-examine your group’s core values and goals. Essentially the most inspiring nominations originate from a spot of real ardour. It will assist you to inject enthusiasm and authenticity into your nomination in ways in which mere numbers can’t. 

• Replicate on what achievements you’ve celebrated together with your groups, board members, and supporters. Evaluation any press releases, media protection, or experiences. 

• Contemplate any new tasks or initiatives that had been launched previously 12 months. Following the keenness surrounding your group’s present priorities is a superb technique to acquire involvement and help from others internally. 

• What stunned you probably the most this previous 12 months? Discovering the surprising can usually result in compelling tales. 

• The place have your Blackbaud know-how options made probably the most vital influence this 12 months? 

If you’re unsure the place to start, look at the earlier winners and finalists for inspiration. When you’ve recognized your narrative, the suitable award class will change into evident to you. We eagerly await your story! 

Readability, Precision, and Outcomes-Targeted 

Earlier than you begin writing your submission, it’s essential to plan prematurely. Refer again to the award class descriptions the standards, and the set of distinct utility questions to make sure you tackle the important thing factors. This can be a helpful methodology to make sure you collect the pertinent data, keep targeted, and ship a high-quality nomination. 

A transparent and compelling nomination will illustrate a narrative of transformation that demonstrates how your answer superior your group or faculty from one stage to a different. The applying questions comply with a construction that will help you craft a transparent before-and-after narrative: 

– What challenges did you encounter? 

– What answer did you determine to beat the problem? 

– What instruments did you make the most of to implement your goal answer? 

– What modifications occurred because of this? 

Technological experience may be part of the nomination however attempt to keep away from getting slowed down by overly technical jargon or language. Focus extra on the outcomes and influence. Be private, be real, and be at liberty to incorporate anecdotes and private tales; in spite of everything, we’re all about celebrating the human accomplishments behind the know-how. Be pleased with your exceptional breakthroughs! 

Present Us Some Proof in Numbers! 

Numbers are a vital type of proof to help your influence. Offering quantifiable outcomes is a necessary, non-negotiable element of a strong nomination. Apart from the spectacular end-results, be certain to incorporate knowledge wherever doable all through numerous sections of the appliance to assist illustrate the effectiveness of your answer. Keep in mind, your small tactical victories are equally essential to share. 

Every award class gives instance proof factors to information you on metrics to share. Keep in mind, these are solely examples, and we’re not essentially in search of an ideal match. We perceive that inventive groups devise inventive options, and we intention to have a good time that! 

Don’t Go it Alone: Collaborate for a Stronger Nomination 

Use the sources obtainable, together with people with firsthand expertise and perspective. Moreover, incorporating a tone of collaboration into your nomination helps us perceive how groups labored collectively to attain a undertaking or aim. 

When you’re not a assured or comfy author, think about partnering with somebody that will help you draft the content material. As an example, they may interview you to attract out probably the most vital accomplishments. Your communications and advertising workforce might be significantly helpful on this regard. A fascinating nomination is the results of collaborative workforce efforts, reflecting various views and experience inside your group, faculty, or firm. 

Nail the Fundamentals and Don’t Procrastinate 

Rigorously assessment the nomination directions. Pay shut consideration to formatting, phrase limits, and deadlines. Whilst you don’t must submit your nomination instantly, beginning early permits you time so as to add any extra ideas later. A well-prepared nomination that follows the rules demonstrates professionalism and a spotlight to element, thereby rising your possibilities of making a optimistic impression. 

By following these steps, you’ll be able to craft a standout nomination that showcases your group’s extraordinary achievements and positions you as a robust candidate for the award. Nominations are due Friday, June 13! Better of luck, and should your efforts encourage and obtain the popularity they deserve!