Volunteer Delaware
2027 Governor's Volunteer Service Youth Awards
Celebrate young Delawareans whose service, leadership and commitment are making a meaningful difference in communities across our state.
Nominate a Youth Volunteer Meet the 2026 Honorees2027 Nominations
Help us recognize exceptional young volunteers whose service made a meaningful difference in Delaware during 2026.
Nominations Open
October 1, 2026
Nomination Deadline
January 8, 2027
Awards Ceremony
Spring 2027
Final date to be announced.
Eligibility & Nomination Rules
Please review the eligibility requirements before beginning a nomination.
Minimum Service Requirement
100 / 250 HOURS
100 hours for Youth Individual, Youth Leadership, and Young Environmentalist
250 combined hours for Youth Group/Team
Eligible volunteer service must be performed January 1 through December 31, 2026.
250 combined hours for Youth Group/Team
Eligible volunteer service must be performed January 1 through December 31, 2026.
Age & Service Requirements
- Individual youth nominees must be 17 years of age or younger as of the nomination deadline, January 8, 2027.
- Nominees must be Delaware residents.
- Eligible volunteer service must have been performed in Delaware from January 1 through December 31, 2026.
- Youth Individual, Youth Leadership, and Young Environmentalist nominees must have completed at least 100 hours of eligible volunteer service.
- Youth Group/Team nominees must consist of two or more youth volunteers and must have completed at least 250 combined hours of eligible volunteer service.
- Volunteer service must be unpaid.
Who May Submit a Nomination?
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
- The nominator may not serve as a reference.
- Nominations may be submitted by teachers, counselors, mentors, volunteer supervisors, nonprofit staff, community members or other adults familiar with the nominee's service.
- A family member may submit a nomination.
- If the nominator is a family member, two unrelated references must be provided.
- References should be individuals familiar with the nominee's volunteer service and should not be related to the nominee.
Previous Honorees
- Previous Governor's Volunteer Service Award honorees must wait three years before being nominated again.
Service That Is Not Eligible
- Activities focused solely on partisan political activity.
- Activities focused solely on religious practice.
- Activities that benefit only an organization's own membership.
Youth Award Categories
Select the category that best reflects the nominee's volunteer service, leadership and impact.
Youth Individual Award
Recognizes a young person who has demonstrated an extraordinary personal commitment to volunteer service.
Youth Leadership Award
Celebrates a young person who has inspired others through initiative, leadership or mentorship in service.
Youth Group/Team Award
Recognizes two or more young volunteers whose collective service created meaningful community impact.
Young Environmentalist
Recognizes outstanding youth service that advances environmental awareness, education, conservation or stewardship.
Before You Begin Your Nomination
Have the following information ready before opening the nomination form.
- Nominee contact and school information
- Volunteer organization and service information
- Total eligible volunteer hours completed during 2026
- A description of the nominee's volunteer service, community need addressed and impact
- Reference contact information
- A second unrelated reference if the nominator is a family member
- A nominee photo and required photo/media consent acknowledgement
The nomination narrative is limited to 1,000 characters. Focus on the nominee's 2026 service and the difference that service made.
Start a Nomination
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