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Celebrating Delaware’s Young Changemakers

The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards recognize outstanding young Delawareans who are 17 years of age or younger as of January 10, the nomination deadline, and who are making a meaningful difference through service, leadership, and innovation. These awards honor students who lead with compassion, create positive change, and set an inspiring example for peers statewide.

🏆 Award Categories

  • Youth Individual Award — Honors one student who has demonstrated extraordinary personal commitment to volunteer service in Delaware.
  • Youth Group or Team Award — Recognizes two or more students whose collective service created meaningful community impact.
  • Youth Leadership Award — Celebrates a young person who has inspired peers to serve through initiative, mentorship, or program leadership.
  • Young Environmentalist Stewardship Award — Highlights youth who advance environmental awareness, education, and conservation through hands-on projects.

📋 Guidelines

  • Nominees must be 17 years of age or younger as of January 10, 2026, the nomination deadline.
  • All volunteer service must take place in Delaware and be unpaid.
  • Nominees must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service during the 12 months before the nomination deadline.
  • No self-nominations. Acceptable nominators include teachers, mentors, volunteer supervisors, nonprofit staff, or community members.
  • Previous winners must wait three years before being re-nominated.
  • Activities focused solely on partisan politics, religious practice, or benefiting an organization’s own membership are not eligible.

🗓️ Nomination Timeline

Nominations Open: November 1, 2025
Nominations Close: January 10, 2026
Awards Ceremony: Thursday, April 30, 2026

🎉 Recognition

  • Youth honorees will be recognized at a statewide ceremony.
  • Each honoree receives a personalized award trophy.
  • Winners will be featured statewide through press and Volunteer Delaware social media channels.

🔗 Submit a Nomination

Submit your nomination through our online nomination form.
Questions? Contact Diane.Frebert@delaware.gov

Nomination Timeline

Nominations Open: November 1, 2025
Nominations Close: January 10, 2026
Awards Ceremony: Thursday, April 30, 2026

📄 Submit a Nomination

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Governor's Volunteer Service Youth Honorees!

Your outstanding dedication to service, leadership, and community impact inspires positive change and exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism in Delaware.

We proudly celebrate your achievements and thank you for making a difference!

          🌟 Celebrating Delaware’s Young Changemakers

          The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards recognize outstanding young Delawareans (ages 17 and under) who are making a meaningful difference in their communities through service, leadership, and innovation.

          These awards honor students who are leading with compassion, creating positive change, and setting an inspiring example for their peers.

          🏆 Award Categories

          🔹 Youth Individual Award
          Recognizes a young person who has demonstrated a strong, personal commitment to volunteer service through sustained, hands-on efforts that address community needs.
          🔹 Youth Group/Team Award (2 or more students)
          Honors a team of youth volunteers who have made a collective impact through a service project, ongoing initiative or collaboration that has improved their community.
          🔹 Youth Leadership Award
          Celebrates a student who has taken initiative, inspired others to serve, and shown leadership in launching or expanding a volunteer effort.
          🔹 Young Environmentalist Stewardship Award
          Acknowledges a youth volunteer whose project or ongoing service demonstrates a commitment to environmental awareness, sustainability, or conservation in Delaware.

          📋 Guidelines

          • Nominees must be 17 years of age or younger as of January 10, 2026.
          • All volunteer service must take place in Delaware and be unpaid.
          • Nominees must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service during the 12 months prior to the nomination deadline.
          • Nominations must be submitted by someone other than the nominee. Acceptable nominators include teachers, mentors, volunteer supervisors, nonprofit staff, or community members.
          • Previous winners must wait three years before being re-nominated.
          • Activities focused solely on partisan politics, religious practice, or benefiting an organization’s own membership are not eligible.

          🗓️ Nomination Timeline

          • Nominations Open: November 1, 2025
          • Nominations Close: January 10, 2026
          • Awards Ceremony: Thursday, May 7, 2026

          🎉 Recognition

          Youth honorees will:

          • Be recognized at a statewide ceremony hosted by the Governor
          • Receive a personalized award trophy
          • Be featured in statewide press and on Volunteer Delaware’s social media

          🔗 Submit a Nomination

          [Link to Online Nomination Form]
          Questions? Contact Diane.Frebert@delaware.gov

          Delaware

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