Patricia Phillips Prize for Excellence in Volunteer Engagement
Patricia Phillips believed that every community is stronger when people choose to show up for one another. She lived that belief every day through her unwavering commitment to her family and through decades of volunteer service to the organizations that enrich life in the Chautauqua region. Learn more about Pat and how to nominate an organization below.
A legacy built on a
foundation of service
A lifelong resident of Chautauqua County, Patricia generously shared her leadership, time, and energy with countless organizations. Those that benefited from her volunteerism are almost too numerous to name, but they include the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Crèche, Jamestown Community College and its Foundation, Jamestown Concert Association, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, St. Susan Center, and WCA Hospital and its Foundation.
To honor her legacy, the Phillips family established The Patricia Phillips Prize for Excellence in Volunteer Engagement. The prize recognizes a nonprofit organization that exemplifies Patricia's belief that communities are strongest when people choose to show up for one another. Each year, the award honors an organization that creates meaningful opportunities for volunteers to use their time, talents, and compassion in service to others.
How to nominate an organization
The recipient may be an organization of any size or mission. The award is not intended to recognize the largest volunteer program or the greatest number of volunteers. Rather, it celebrates organizations that focus on community needs and bring together people who are inspired to address them. By recognizing organizations that make volunteerism meaningful, the Prize seeks to encourage a culture of service throughout the Chautauqua region.
The selected organization will receive a $10,000 unrestricted grant, presented by members of the Phillips family. Because every nonprofit's needs are different, the grant may be used however it will have the greatest impact.
-
Recognized 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Chautauqua region are eligible for nomination by anyone with firsthand knowledge of the organization's volunteer engagement and community impact.
Nomination forms are available online by clicking here and may be submitted throughout the year.
The annual nomination deadline is October 26.
Foundation staff will review all nominations to confirm organizational eligibility. Eligible nominations will then be forwarded to the Phillips Prize Committee for review and selection. Foundation staff will support the Committee throughout the evaluation process.
-
Written or video nominations are accepted.
-
Week of Oct 26: Nomination Deadline
Week of Nov 9: Phillips Prize Committee review of submissions
Week of Nov 16: Nominees are announced and celebrated; Recipient is selected but not announced
Dec 1 (Giving Tuesday): Recipient is announced