2018 ChamberChoice Award Application
Application Tips
A strong and well-written application is powerful and compelling to the judges.
Consider these important points:
It’s about you!This is an opportunity for your organization to receive well-deserved recognition
for the many accomplishments of the past few years. The judges want to hear about the
accomplishments and successes of the organization. Bragging is encouraged. This is not the time
to be humble.
Understand how you will be evaluated. The judges will consider stability or growth, innovation
and creativity, community leadership/involvement and achievements relating to your specific
organization. It is a balanced scorecard. Keep these in mind and emphasize them throughout
the application.
Tell a story and be concise.Paint a unique picture of your historyand accomplishments. Use vivid language and create an engaging story. Nominees who have interesting, well-told stories have an advantage over nominees who cannot convey the impressive milestones they have achieved.
Demonstrate results.Make sure your achievements are measurable. Quantify and expand on
your growth.
Compare yourself to the industry.Not all judges will be experts in your field, so make sure
they know how you stack up and how you differentiate yourself in the market.Tell your story as if you were talking to a stranger.
Be persuasive.This is your opportunity to convince the judges why you should be a finalist
and ultimately an award recipient. So put on your best marketing hat and remember to be authentic.
FMWFChamber.com
Entry Instructions for the 2018 ChamberChoice Awards
All application materials will be submitted electronically via Dropbox.
Dropbox is a file hosting service that offers cloud storage and file synchronization and allows users to create a folder on your computer that synchronizes with a Dropbox account. Dropbox is free for accounts that do not exceed 20 GB per day.
If you do not have a Dropbox account, visit to set up your account. After you have done this, you will receive a confirmation message.
Once you have your application materials ready, transfer the files to your Dropbox folder on your desktop or online in your account.
When the files have been uploaded, click on the Share a folder icon:
Please share the folder with Tracy Powell – . You will receive a confirmation message once Tracy has accessed your folder.
FMWFChamber.com
2018 ChamberChoice Award Application
Award Criteria
- More than 25 full-time equivalent employees
- Must be a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, as defined by IRS standards, in the FMWF community
- Must be a current member in good standing with The Chamber
- Has been in business, in the FMWF community, for a minimum of three years (since Jan. 1, 2015)
- Shows stability or growth in services and/or number of individuals served and/or expanded programs and services
- Proven contribution to enhancing the community’s overall quality of life
- Demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices
- Demonstrates a commitment to employee support and development
- Demonstrates corporate citizenship and/or community leadership
- Any organization that has won in a particular category is not eligible to win again in that particular category for five years
Application Checklist
The following must be submitted electronically via Dropbox by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28.
Dropbox entry instructions are included with this document.
Completed application form.
Cover letter written by the Executive Director expressing why your organization should receive a ChamberChoice Award.
Two signed letters of support from a board member, client, vendor, etc.
Approximately 15 to 20 high-resolution photos (300 dpi or greater) to be used in a video highlighting your business at the ChamberChoice Awards Luncheon. Photos should consist of things like thestaff, activities of the organization, work with clientele, community service work, etc. These photos should tell the story of your organization.
High-resolution copy of your logo for use in printed publications and online.
Logo requirements: 300 dpi or greater, transparent background and file format of .eps (preferred), .pdf or .png.
Applications will be judged by an independent and diverse group of community business leaders, based upon award criteria. Your application will be ranked based on stability or growth, innovation and creativity, community leadership/involvement and achievements relating to your specific business or industry. Applications must be complete for consideration.
The information included with this application is strictly confidential and will be used only by the judges. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28 to be considered. Application materials will be destroyed after the judging process.
Questions may be directed to Tracy Powell at 218.359.0515 or .
2018 ChamberChoice Award Application
Organization Name
Organization Executive Director/President
Physical Address
City State Zip
Website
Contact Name for Application
Phone Email
Where is your organization headquartered? Same as above address
Physical Address
City State Zip
Number of FTE employees in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metro only
Total number of volunteers as reported on your 2016 Form 990
This ChamberChoice Award requires 501(c)(3) status. Are you registered as a 501(c)(3) organization?
Yes No
Year the organization was founded in the FMWF community only
1.What are your organization’s core values, goals and overall mission?(300 words or less)
Please describe the service you offer in 50 words or less.
Please provide information connected to the local chapter only.
Stability or Growth and Innovation
2.Provide a comprehensive description of what your organization has accomplished in the FMWF community and why it should receive this award. Relevant factors include, but are not limited to, creativity and innovation demonstrated in meeting the needs of the community; benchmarks achieved; internal or external awards or recognition; achievement of goals; how you communicate the value of the organization to various stakeholders. This information should be connected to the local office only.(300 words or less)
3.Has your organization shown growth in numbers of individuals served and/or expanded programs and services, in the FMWF community, in the past three years? What metrics are used to determine success or effectiveness? (300 words or less)
4.Discuss any adversity your organization has had to overcome as well as creative and innovative solutions to any problems, your response to obstacles and your organization’s staying power during these times. (300 words or less)Information should be connected to the local office only.
Community Impact
5.How has your organization contributed to enhancing the FMWF community overall quality of life?
(300 words or less)
Employee and Volunteer Development
6.Describe the training and ongoing support provided to your employees and/or volunteers.(100 words or less)
7.How does your organization recognize employee/volunteer achievement?(100 words or less)
Ethical Business Practices
8.What do you consider to be your guiding principles and/or values? How do you practice these and how are
they communicated?(150 words or less)
9.What percent of your budget goes toward programs and services? %
What percent of your budget goes toward administration and fundraising? %
10. How often do you complete an organizational audit?
What year was your last audit?
Business Reference
Please provide the name of an accountant, banker or attorney as a business reference.
The enclosed information is true and factual as of (date)
Owner|CEO/ President or Executive DirectorElectronic Signature(s)
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE HELD STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Wednesday, February 28 5 P.M. FMWFChamber.com
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