The Community Award program celebrates changemakers who devote their energy to improving lives, creating spaces of care, resilience, beauty, and inclusivity. Often working behind the scenes, their efforts inspire others and have a lasting impact. This recognition emphasizes the transformative power of service and generosity in shaping vibrant, dynamic communities.
By highlighting stories of leadership, the award cultivates gratitude and pride, showcasing that acts of service are the cornerstone of thriving societies. The award serves as a call to action, reminding us that communities are built on collective care and commitment while honouring those who lead the way.
BC Achievement gratefully acknowledges the transformative commitment of RBC as its Foundation Platform Partner and extends sincere thanks to Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group for their valued support.
BC Achievement exists to honour excellence and inspire achievement throughout the province. This year’s recipients embody that mission. Their stories of leadership, service and resilience remind us that meaningful change begins at the community level, and that every act of contribution helps build a more engaged and vibrant British Columbia.
Walter Pela, Chair, BC Achievement Foundation
AWARD PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Community Award (COM) program celebrates British Columbians who go above and beyond in their dedication and service to others. It honours individuals who devote their time and energy to making their communities more caring, dynamic, beautiful, resilient, and inclusive.
WHY NOMINATE
This award is an opportunity to publicly acknowledge individuals who uplift their communities and inspire others through their leadership and contributions. Nominees can be recognized for their volunteer- and/or work-related contributions.
Please do not inform the nominee of their nomination.
DATES TO REMEMBER – 2026 Award Program
DATES TO REMEMBER – 2027 Award Program
CHECKLIST – BEFORE YOU START
*If submitting a written nominator statement presents a barrier, please contact BC Achievement staff for assistance.
NOMINATOR ELIGIBILITY
Any person, group or organization may submit nominations for the award with exceptions noted below:
NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY
An eligible nominee must:
The following are ineligible:
Note: Nominations of any individual under the age of 19 must be accompanied by a letter of permission from the nominee’s parent or guardian stating that they are aware of the nomination.
*Visit BC Achievement’s Awardees webpage to see if your nominee is a past recipient of the award.
Nominee contributions must have taken place in BC through volunteer and/or professional work in the areas including, must not limited to:
Arts & Culture | Business | Civic Duty | Education| Environment & Sustainability | Food Security | Health & Wellness | IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) | Information & Technology | LGBTQIA2S+ | Media & Communications | Multiculturalism | Philanthropy | STEM | Seniors/Elders | Sport & Recreation | Volunteerism: Community | Youth
Emerging Leader Designation – The Emerging Leader designation recognizes strength, courage and skill of individuals 35 years and younger (by February 15, 2027) who are making a difference in their communities. Please indicate eligibility in the online form.
HOW AWARDEES ARE SELECTED & RECOGNIZED
An independent Selection Committee of community leaders reviews the nominations and selects recipients based on the evaluation criteria. The Committee’s decision is final. Nominees are only contacted if selected. The nominee is encouraged to let their nominator know they’ve been selected to receive the award.
Awardees are celebrated at a formal ceremony at Government House with the Lieutenant Governor and BC Achievement Foundation representatives. Each awardee receives a medallion and pin designed by renowned artist Robert Davidson, OC, OBC, a commemorative plaque certificate, and a letter from the Premier of BC.
Rescission of an Awardee’s Recognition
PRIVACY POLICY
BC Achievement is committed to protecting the privacy of people through responsible management of information received. Nominations are kept confidential between the nominator and BC Achievement. Photographs and information about the award recipients may be used for the promotion of the Community Award program and other promotional activities on BC Achievement’s website, social media channels etc.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: kristin@bcachievement.com
REVIEW THE COM NOMINATION GUIDE FOR TIPS ON WRITING A STRONG NOMINATION
To submit a complete nomination, you must provide:
Tip: If you need more time, use ‘Save and Continue Later’ at the bottom of the online form—you’ll receive a link to complete your nomination before the deadline.
If submitting a written nominator statement presents a barrier, please contact BC Achievement staff for assistance—alternate formats such as a video or audio recording are welcome.
WRITING A STRONG NOMINATION
Nominees will be evaluated based on the following three criteria. When preparing your nomination, consider how the nominee demonstrates each area using clear examples and specific details and outcomes wherever possible.
IMPORTANT TIPS
NOMINATOR STATEMENT (MAX 3000 CHARACTERS INCLUDING SPACES | ~500 WORDS):
Use the full word count for the nominator statement to provide a thorough, well-rounded, and engaging description of the nominee’s achievements.
SUPPORT LETTERS (MAX 3000 CHARACTERS INCLUDING SPACES | ~500 WORDS):
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS (OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED):
Note: The nominator may upload one word or PDF document with up to five links in the ‘Additional Materials’ section.
*Each web link counts as one Additional Material.
UPDATING A PREVIOUS NOMINATION
Nominations are valid for three years. To update:
Need help? We can send you your previous submission—email kristin@bcachievement.com.
All nominations are confidential. Nominators will be notified by email once the selection process is complete. Nominations remain active for three years and are reconsidered in subsequent selection cycles. We encourage nominators to share updates, as the Selection Committee values receiving current information that reflects the nominee’s ongoing contributions and impact.
THANK YOU!
1. Can information be saved on the nomination form and completed at a later date?
Yes. Click “Save and Continue Later” at the bottom of the online form. Enter your email to receive a link that allows you to return and complete your nomination before the deadline.
2. Is a nomination considered for more than one year?
Nominations begin a three-year program and may be reviewed by up to three selection committees. Nominators are given the opportunity to update their nomination each year.
3. Should the nominator tell the nominee about the nomination?
Generally, the nominee is not told of the nomination though in some cases it happens when the nominator requires biographical information, for example, from the nominee.
4. To whom should the support letters be addressed?
Support letters should be addressed to the ‘Selection Committee’. All support letters must include the writer’s full name and contact information.
5. What should be stated in the support letter?
The support letter should indicate the relationship between the writer and the nominee and the length of the relationship; provide details about the writer’s knowledge of the nominee’s contributions and their impact on the community; and be specifically written for the Community Award program.
6. Can more than two support letters be submitted?
es. Additional letters may be included and uploaded to the ‘additional materials’ section on the nomination form.
7. Are congratulatory letters from others accepted in the nomination?
Other congratulatory letters may be included as ‘additional materials’ but they may not serve as support letters.
8. Are contributions that occur outside of British Columbia recognized?
The Community Award is designed for contributions made in British Columbia. The nominator should focus on the nominee’s work in the province.
9. When are awardees notified and where are the names of the awardees published?
Awardees are notified in late March. Their names are published on BC Achievement’s website and social media channels and shared via press release in April/May.
Named in honour of Keith Mitchell, QC, past Chair of the Foundation, and its guiding light for over 13 years, the Mitchell Award of Distinction recognizes leadership that empowers others to engage. Recipients of the Mitchell Award are:
Supporting the Community Award program helps celebrate and amplify the inspiring stories of British Columbians whose dedication strengthens communities, enriches the fabric of our province, and provides powerful models of community service and leadership for others to follow.
