Jan 10, 2017 3 min read

The Washington County Community Foundation is accepting nominations for four annual community awards: the Dr. Howard Jack Outstanding Public Educator Award, the Louis E. Waller Humanitarian Award, the Charles C. Keller Excellence Award for Corporate Philanthropy and the Philanthropist of the Year Award.

Criteria and nomination forms for each award are available on the foundation’s website, www.wccf.net. Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 31.

The Jack Educator Award recognizes a local public educator who has displayed the ability to inspire children from all backgrounds and abilities; has earned the respect of colleagues, students and parents; and is actively engaged in the community.

All primary and secondary public school educators serving students in Washington County are eligible to be nominated.

Educators should include certified teachers, school administrators and other educators who support public education in kindergarten through 12th grade. The award includes a $1,000 grant to an educational program with which the recipient is affiliated.

The Waller Humanitarian Award recognizes a local individual or organization that is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and/or the advancement of social reforms as evidenced by humanitarian deeds in the community, whether local, national or international.

All Washington County residents or for-profit companies operating in Washington County that have performed humanitarian service anywhere in the world are eligible to receive the award, although preference will be given to those that perform humanitarian service in Washington County.

Consideration also will be given to individuals living outside the county who have performed humanitarian service in Washington County. The award includes a $1,000 grant to the charity of the recipient’s choice.

The Jack Educator Award and the Waller Humanitarian Award will be presented at the foundation’s Legacy Luncheon May 19 at Southpointe Golf Club.

The Keller Corporate Philanthropy Award recognizes a local for-profit business for exemplary giving and community service. All for-profit businesses operating in Washington County are eligible to be nominated.

Criteria include demonstrating a company philosophy of community service (such as time off or flexible scheduling for employees to perform community service); encouraging employee commitment at multiple levels of the company; donating resources, including financial, personnel, facility or product, or providing a sustained effort to address a community need; and promoting active community participation by others.

The Philanthropist of the Year Award recognizes local philanthropists for exceptional generosity to the Washington County community.

Criteria include demonstrating exceptional generosity, relative to one’s ability to give, through personal financial gifts to local charitable causes; demonstrating encouragement and motivation of others to financially support local charitable causes; documenting efforts to improve the quality of life in Washington County through volunteer leadership of local charitable and other community efforts; and documenting efforts to advance philanthropy in general.

The Keller Corporate Philanthropy Award and the Philanthropist of the Year Award will be presented at WCCF’s Philanthropy Banquet, which will be held Nov. 2 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe.

A 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, the community foundation has more than $18 million in assets and has distributed more than $7.9 million in charitable grants in six broad categories of arts and humanities, education, environment and animal welfare, health and fitness, human needs and religion and faith-based programs.