The American Civic Collaboration Awards (Civvys) today announced six organizations being honored for their impactful work across the country in civic engagement to reach across political divides to help protect democracy.
The six winners of the fourth annual Civvys Awards represent outstanding examples of civic-oriented work that elevate democracy at every level of American life. Nominees are evaluated by an esteemed review committee, composed of leaders in civic engagement, politics, research and community impact. The 2020-21 award cycle saw the highest number of nominees, making for a competitive selection process — and demonstrating the growing breadth and depth of civic efforts happening across the nation.
“While the headlines may show ideological division and entrenched partisanship, we the people are showing the way forward. At home, at work, in our neighborhoods and schools, mainstream citizens are leading by example to improve their communities and our democracy by working together and problem-solving ways to make our differences work for us, not against us,” said F. Willis Johnson, Jr., Vice President of Partnerships and Programming with Bridge Alliance. “This important work reflects the spirit of the Civvys as organizations and industries are coming to realize that it is collaboration, not competition, that will allow us to move America forward, combine our strengths to do more, do better, and overcome partisanship and gridlock.”
In total,18 finalists were selected from this year’s nominees in three different categories. The following six award winners were honored in a virtual ceremony, live-streamed at www.civvys.org on April 19, 2021:
NATIONAL WINNER – CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT
The Civic Responsibility Project brings the broader business community together in collaboration to support voter participation and civic engagement. Research shows that supporting democracy is good for business - and the Civic Responsibility Project helps brands create and implement civic responsibility programs that get their employees and consumers actively engaged in our democracy. Through their work, thousands of companies actively supported voting in the 2020 election, and other industries can take lessons from this coalition, service-based model.
LOCAL WINNER — SA2020
Through SA2020, nearly 6,000 people in San Antonio are taking part in reimagining and rebuilding the future of their community, by engaging in the process of creating a shared vision together and then bringing that vision to life for all, through research, storytelling, and practice. Core to the work is using data from over 30 sources to inform decisions and priorities, seeking continual feedback and input, and helping local leaders work together toward shared goals. It's a model for broad based input, for vision and impact.
YOUTH WINNER – GREEN OUR PLANET
From its hub in Las Vegas, Green Our Planet has projects all over the U.S. and is making immediate impact as the largest "school garden" program. In a creative approach, they bring together STEM learning, hydroponics, school yards, and the business world of farmers' markets, to help young people connect with the Earth, their own skills and knowledge, and civic responsibility in communities. Across 10 states, 3500 teachers, thousands of students - Green Our Planet demonstrates impact, teaching self-reliance and hard work, entrepreneurship and climate science, and healthy living and eating. It's a holistic, engaging, real approach to getting young kids involved in community and civic life.
COMMITTEE CHOICE AWARD – PANDEMIC VOTING PROJECT
Missouri's impressive voter turnout in 2020 had the Pandemic Voting Project to thank, organized by the NAACP Missouri State Conference and Show Me Integrity. This truly cross-partisan initiative brought together Republicans and Democrats, the public and private sector, as well as an initiative called DoctorsForDemocracy, that collaborated to help more people in Missouri vote safely. Together, they gave people more ways to vote absentee, supported election authorities, registered and educated voters, and launched new technology at MoVote.org that registered 16,000 voters with a 92% voting rate.
COMMITTEE CHOICE AWARD — MARIA YUAN AND ISSUE VOTER
Issue Voter connects constituents to members of congress and uses technology to make peoples’ voices heard. Given the urgent need for an easy, clear understanding of issues, Issue Voter breaks down complicated policy issues and helps all constituents to be more informed. Maria Yuan was also nominated for her work in streamlining data collection to better track and combat anti-Asian hate crimes. Her work in gathering, organizing and disseminating key data provides a replicable, scalable model that other civic collaborators might learn from.
COMMITTEE CHOICE AWARD — DOSOMETHING.ORG
The pandemic, the election, and protests for racial justice all changed the way we live in 2020, but young people were especially affected, as school and major milestones were disrupted. DoSomething.org’s Our 2020 Vision campaign mobilized in response to give young people more of a say - with their vote. The "Our 2020 Vision" campaign registered 250,000 voters all online, and 37% of those were rural voters. DoSomething.org’s work focused on gathering broad stakeholders, serving immediate needs and making an impact.
First launched in 2017 by leading organizations in the democracy movement, including the Bridge Alliance, Big Tent Nation and the National Conference on Citizenship, the Civvys celebrate collaborative work that reaches across divides to build a better future and set an example for the rest of the nation.
About the Civvys:
Now in its fourth year, the Civvys are the first national awards program that highlights best practices in civic collaboration and collective action that put community and nation before party, ideology and narrow interests. For more information, visit www.civvys.org.
