Governor’s Service Awards

2026 GOVERNOR’S SERVICE AWARDS

The Governor’s Service Awards honor outstanding national service members, volunteers, and programs that have helped to address serious social needs in their communities. Those honored by these awards will have made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service efforts, with their generous service impacting the lives of countless Wisconsinites.

The 2026 Governor’s Service Awards ceremony will take place on June 24, 2026 at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI.

Making Nominations for 2026 Governor’s Service Awards (Due April 20)

Nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards will be due by midnight on Monday, April 20. Nominations should be submitted via the online 2026 nomination form. Please contact Kyle Clower at 608-576-5373 or kyle.clower@wisconsin.gov if you have any questions about the nomination process.

NOMINATION CATEGORIES

For people serving or programs operating in Wisconsin between 1/1/25 and 5/31/26, with the exception of the AmeriCorps Alumni, AmeriCorps Seniors Lifetime Volunteer, and Marty Stein award categories.

Volunteer of the Year (may present multiple awards to recognize service in different types/categories of volunteer service across the state)

  • To a volunteer who, over the course of the year, has made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service efforts on behalf of nonprofits (public, private, tribal, or faith-based), educational institutions, or governmental agencies.  Those completing the nomination will have the opportunity to identify what types/categories of service the nominee has done for recognition, including Animals, Arts/Culture/Community Events, Conservation/Environment, Disaster/Emergency Response, Education, Economic Security, Medical/Health/Wellness, Nonprofit Support, Veterans, and Youth Volunteer.

 AmeriCorps Member of the Year

  • To an AmeriCorps member who, over the course of the year, has made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service efforts with AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA.

 AmeriCorps Program of the Year

  • To an AmeriCorps program that, over the course of the year, has made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service efforts. Programs that received this award from 2022 to 2025 are not eligible to receive the award.

AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year

  • To a former AmeriCorps member (State, National, VISTA, or NCCC) that has made significant contributions to the state of Wisconsin in the years following the conclusion of their term of service with AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps Alumni nominees must have completed their most recent term of service before September 1, 2021.

 AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year

  • To an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer who, over the course of the year, has made significant contributions to Wisconsin through efforts using their invaluable skills and experience.

AmeriCorps Seniors Lifetime Impact Volunteer

  • To an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer that has made significant contributions to Wisconsin through at least 15 years of volunteer service (as of May 31, 2026) through AmeriCorps Seniors.

AmeriCorps Seniors Program of the Year

  • To an AmeriCorps Seniors program that, over the course of the year, has made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service efforts. Programs that received this award from 2022 to 2025 are not eligible to receive the award.

Marty Stein Friend of National Service Exemplary Supporter

  • To an exemplary supporter – individual or organization – of a national service program in Wisconsin, whether that support is monetary, in-kind, or volunteer time. The late Mr. Stein was the first President of the Serve Wisconsin Board.

 

AMERICORPS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS WITH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

In addition to these nomination-based awards, the Governor’s Service Awards will also recognize all AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers who will have reached their 20th year of volunteer service between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026 (or earlier if not previously recognized). These recognitions do not require submitting a full nomination form. Names for eligible AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers can be submitted by their program directors directly to Serve Wisconsin by emailing Kyle Clower at kyle.clower@wisconsin.gov.