AWARD WINNERS

Communications Awards

Download a PDF of the Communications Contest categories and entry requirements  

Strategic Communications Excellence (five different categories/awards)
NAYDO Strategic Communications Excellence Awards recognize exemplary YMCAs that have developed a multi-faceted communications campaign designed to inform, educate or persuade specific audiences about the Y's cause, impact or an initiative. Each award will be given to small, mid-size and large Ys in the following categories of communications excellence:
- Best Overall Campaign Excellence recognizes a YMCA for developing the best overall strategic campaign within its budget size. This campaign (philanthropic, member recruitment, camp, etc.) must have been successful in meeting or exceeding its initial targets including people impacted, financial goals (if associated with this campaign) and people/donors reached through awareness.

- Communications for Inclusion recognizes a Y that has showcased its extraordinary work to targeting communications that are welcoming to those of an underserved group(s) including minorities, those of all abilities, or targeted demographics. It should be clear that elevating the commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion was a focal point of these communications pieces.

- Philanthropic Communications recognizes YMCAs for a clear and creative strategic approach to the development of communications fundraising campaign and tools. Entries should include a compilation of 3-5 pieces that best demonstrate your philanthropic strategy in action which may include annual report, impact reports, annual support campaign materials, capital campaign materials, endowment or planned giving, general donor cultivation materials.

- Small Budget Star recognizes YMCAs that have developed a multi-faceted communications campaign designed to inform, educate or persuade specific audiences about the Y's cause, impact or an initiative WHILE SPENDING $5,000
or LESS ON THEIR CAMPAIGN.

- Excellence in Strategic Collaboration recognizes a group of YMCAs (3 or more) who come together to share assets and resources for a common strategic campaign or communication design to raise funds, educate or persuade audiences about the Y cause, impact or initiative. Only one award is given in this category.

Cause Communicator of the Year (only one entry selected)
Is there someone in the YMCA Movement who is truly moving the dial on communicating the YMCA mission, vision and/or purpose? Then this is your chance to nominate them. Reminder: This person does not have to come from your YMCA.
This award recognizes efforts by a YMCA leader to inform, educate and engage his or her team, volunteers, donors and/or community. This person (often a CEO, Board Chair or Volunteer, or Branch Executive) clearly articulates a vision that inspires and motivates others to positive action. Excellent communication requires real strategy. Your entry should demonstrate the strategic effort related to internal and/or external communication by a Y leader.
Communications Awards Criteria
Judges will be looking for the following: 

  • Follows YMCA graphic standards applicable to your country. 
  • ​Used in previous 23 months (January 2023 - November 2024)
  • Reflects the development of a strategic approach to communications.
  • Successfully supported a financial development effort.
  • Graphic and digital design and/or videography is clean and easy to follow.
  • Content reflects the Y's mission and voice.
  • Strong imagery supports the content and purpose.
  • Clear qualitative or quantitative measures that demonstrate communications and/or philanthropic success.
  • Possesses a distinctive caliber of excellence, or an extraordinary or insightful approach or result.

Entry requirements for each category are listed below.
Questions? Contact Communications Awards Chair Christina Harley, CFRE, or 519-907-5500 ext 1152

Submission Requirements
- Uploading electronic versions of all materials (i.e., PDF version of print materials) is required for all entries.
- Each category has its own entry form. Only online submissions are accepted. If you win, you will need to supply actual copies of winning materials (where applicable).
Reminders
- By entering your YMCA's materials, entrants are giving NAYDO permission to copy and keep the entry for the NAYDO library, website and/or conference distribution. 
- It is your YMCA's responsibility to ensure all elements of any entry meet your country's YMCA brand standards.

Strategic Communications Excellence Awards  
To be valid, this award submission must include 3 components:
1. Strategic Communications Excellence Awards Entry Form 
Each entry form should be properly completed. Read the instructions thoroughly to ensure you have included all necessary components including the Submission Summary described below.
2. Strategic Communications Excellence Awards Submission Form  
This is a summary that clearly explains your Y’s rationale, organization and measurable impact of your campaign.    
3. Portfolio of Communications Pieces  
A portfolio of 3-5 communications pieces that best demonstrate your communications strategy in action with no more than 1 per category. These may include any of the following: annual report/community impact report, annual support campaign materials, capital campaign materials, endowment/planned giving materials, general donor cultivation tools, media or public service campaigns, websites and/or social media.
NOTE: Video submissions should be original content and source link, not a web video like YouTube.

Cause Communicator of the Year  
To be valid, this award submission must include 3 components:
1. Cause Communicator of the Year Entry Form  
Read the instructions thoroughly to ensure you have included all necessary components including the Submission Summary described below. 
2. Cause Communicator of the Year Submission Form
The summary form should clearly articulate why you believe the nominee should be selected.  
3. Portfolio of Communications Pieces 
A compilation of 3-5 philanthropic communications pieces that best demonstrate your nominee's efforts to engage and inspire audience groups. These pieces may include internal and/or external communications materials such as emails, newsletters, social media, media interviews, videos, presentation materials, communications plans and/or message platform materials. You may include photos or videos of this person actively engaging others. 
Note: Video submissions should be in a file format link, not a web video like YouTube.