The Environmental Grantmakers Association is pleased to announce an open call for nominations for the second annual Donald K. Ross Founders Award and the EGA Risk Taker Award. These new awards, unveiled at the 2022 EGA Fall Retreat, honor environmental grantmakers for their efforts leading just and innovative philanthropic initiatives for people and planet. We invite you to submit nominations by August 19, 2024.
Learn more about each award and how to submit a nomination:
Donald K. Ross Founders Award
The Founders Award honors the dedication, commitment, and creativity of an EGA member who is innovating for effective philanthropy. It was established in memory of one of EGA’s founders, Donald Ross, whose vision and forethought set in motion our association, which is now the largest and oldest within environmental philanthropy.
We invite nominations for individuals in the EGA membership who have:
- Created a new organization, project, or philanthropic initiative that resulted in unexpected partnerships between people and/or organizations contributing to impactful wins; and
- Contributed a replicable innovation in philanthropy to enable funders to be more effective.
In addition to nominating leaders you know, EGA also invites you to celebrate your own efforts through self-nominations.
Eligibility
The award honors individuals who are affiliated with EGA member organizations who:
- Have maintained an active membership for at least 2 years; and
- Are current members. If you have questions about your membership status, please reach out to Celia Bottger, EGA's Membership Manager.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Founder's Award.
EGA Risk Taker Award
The EGA Risk Taker Award honors the vision, courage, creativity, and boldness of a member of the philanthropic community. The award celebrates bold leaders in the philanthropic sector whose leading-edge work on racial equity inspires the future of resourcing for healthy people and planet. The Environmental Grantmakers Association, guided by our Racial Equity Point of View, will administer and oversee the development and annual bestowal of the award.
We invite nominations for environmental grantmakers who have completed groundbreaking work to:
- Direct financial resources to projects that address past and current injustice;
- Bring in diverse perspectives and voices by embracing non-white centered learning and wisdom; and
- Explore/integrate new practices that promote racial equity.
In addition to nominating risk takers you know, EGA also invites you to celebrate your own efforts through self-nominations.
Eligibility
The award is available to environmental grantmakers. *Nominees do not have to be an EGA member to be eligible for this award.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Risk Taker Award.
Please submit your nominations by August 19, 2024. The Donald K. Ross Founders Award and Risk Taker Award will be presented at the 2024 Fall Retreat in Stevenson, Washington.
Read about the 2023 inaugural award recipients here.