2024 Good As Gold Ceremony-April 22, 2024
Good as Gold Ceremony
Each year, hundreds of community members take a moment and thank those who tirelessly give their time and talent to make Springfield a better place to live and thrive.
The Good as Gold Ceremony was established in 2009 to recognize the spirit and achievements of local volunteers and nonprofit organizations. The ceremony is a joint effort between the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center, the Junior League of Springfield, and the United Way of Central Illinois.
In 2014, for the first time, the ceremony recognized Springfield businesses that support volunteer efforts and charitable giving via the Good as Gold Business Honor Roll.
2023 Good As Gold Ceremony Photos
Nomination Information-2024 Nominations Due February 1, 2024
NOTE: The Distinguished Volunteer Award now has a separate nomination form.
UPDATE: Please use the Distinguished Award Template below as your guide BEFORE submitting your nomination. The link in the nomination form are currently not working due to webpage updates.
Good as Gold Nomination Form
Use the Good as Gold nomination form for the following:
- Heart of Gold Volunteer
- Youth Volunteer Award
- Organization of the Year
- Star Student
- Star Staff Award
Good as Gold Business Honor Roll Application
Award Categories
You should select a category for your nominee based upon the descriptions below. Some nominees may fall into more than one category, but please choose only one category for each nominee.
*The committee reserves the right to place a nominee in an alternate category if doing so assures appropriate recognition.
Distinguished Volunteer Award
Each Springfield area nonprofit agency, or at large community member, may nominate one individual for this award. The Distinguished Volunteer Award honors exceptional volunteer service and commitment to improving the Springfield community. In selecting finalists, the committee will consider factors such as the duration and commitment of the nominee's service, the impact of their efforts, and how the nominee embodies the spirit of service. Up to five nominees will be selected and recognized as Distinguished Volunteer Finalists at the ceremony. One of these five will be chosen as the Distinguished Volunteer and will receive a $200 stipend from the Staley Foundation. Nominees not selected as Distinguished Volunteer finalists will be considered for the heart of gold award.
NOTE: Nominations for this award require the creation of a volunteer history for the nominee. This can include volunteer experiences with their current organization as well as previous organizations in the Springfield community. Please see the Volunteer History Template document for more details. We strongly encourage nominees to review the template, and speak with friends, colleagues, and the nominee them self prior to submitting this nomination. This will help put together a complete picture of the nominee's efforts and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve.
Heart of Gold Award
Each Springfield area nonprofit agency may recognize up to 2 volunteers for their service to and promotion of the organization’s mission and goals in the community within the past year.
Organization of the Year
This award will recognize one Springfield area nonprofit agency for its overall commitment, service, and dedication to improving the Springfield community.
Youth Volunteer
This award will honor a volunteer 18 years old or younger, (specifically anyone 18 or younger on February 1, 2022, alternatively anyone currently enrolled in High School is eligible for this award) for his/her service to the Springfield community. Each nominator/nominating organization is limited 2 youth volunteer nominations.
Star Faculty/Staff Award
This award will be presented to current University of Illinois Springfield or Lincoln Land Community College staff or faculty member(s) that exemplify extraordinary dedication to service to their campus and in the Springfield community.
Star Student Award
This award will be presented to current University of Illinois Springfield or Lincoln Land Community College student(s) (undergraduate or graduate) that exemplify extraordinary dedication to service to their campus and in the Springfield community.
Good as Gold Business Honor Roll
This distinction will recognize Springfield businesses that support volunteerism, encourage their employees to serve in our community, organize service efforts, and/or financially support the efforts of non-profits and charitable organizations. The top business in each size category will be recognized with the Golden Distinction. The Honor Roll will be published on the UIS Website, the Good as Gold event program, and via special insert in the Springfield Business Journal. A separate application for the Honor Roll must be submitted by February 1, 2024
Please note that 1) award recipients will be selected based solely on the information provided on the nomination form, 2) the Springfield Good as Gold Ceremony committee reserves the right to disqualify any nominee for any reason it deems fit, and 3) if the nomination materials are not correctly filled out, submitted past the deadline, or are in any other way unsuitable for consideration, the nominees may not be recognized.
Sponsorship Information
By sponsoring the Springfield Good as Gold Ceremony, you're investing in the people and organizations who are dedicated to improving the well-being of the Springfield community. Large or small, your gift will help us continue our mission of recognizing the very best and most effective of these public servants. Each level of sponsorship entitles the sponsor to increasing levels of recognition in Good as Gold mailings, web pages, and during the ceremony. You can make your gift to the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center Fund securely online by going to the Volunteer Center's Advancement page. Be sure to note in your special instructions that the gift is intended for the Springfield Good as Gold Ceremony.
- $4,000 (Platinum) Primary Sponsor
- $1,000 (Gold) Major Sponsor
- $500 (Silver) Sponsor
- $250 (Bronze) Sponsor
- $50 Angel
In-kind Donor
For a more detailed description of our sponsorship needs and the recognition levels please download our sponsorship document.