Current (https://current.org/project-category/awards-contest/)
Beginning in 2017 Boise State Radio decided to take a different spin on Giving Tuesday. Instead of focusing on the station, they decided to celebrate other local nonprofits. Local Citizens nominated their favorite local nonprofits, and then the station awarded a $1,000 underwriting package to randomly selected winners.
KPBS launched the “Explore” program in 2012 as an experiment to grow the station’s library of local programs while cultivating new, young and diverse talent. Every two years, KPBS opens a community-wide call for content ideas and offers seed funding to create local TV shows, web series and podcasts. The producers retain ownership of their project and are responsible for raising the extra funds needed to stay afloat. The program has spawned four podcasts and more than a dozen TV and web series.
Spurred by the voice of a community member, Capital Public Radio created the region’s first Tiny Desk concert, showcasing multiple local entrants who entered this year’s national contest and highlighting numerous others with promotional and follow-up blog content at capradio.org. The free event in the CapRadio Garden drew incredible enthusiasm from the community, tripling normal event attendance. The reservation-only event allowed us to capture emails and deliver a special welcome series designed to turn fans into members over time.
The LPB Louisiana Young Hero Awards annually honors students in grades 7-12 who excel in the classroom, serve their local communities, and demonstrate great personal courage in overcoming adversity. These annual statewide awards spotlighting inspirational students began in 1996. LPB’s partner in this annual mission is the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge. 190 amazing young people have been honored as Louisiana Young Heroes since the program’s inception!
Insider Louisville created a database of local civic leaders to measure their community impact. Our database analyzed over 3,600 individuals in the greater Louisville area. Each individual was given a civic engagement score. Criteria included but not limited to: nonprofit board participation, founding a company, charity support, elected to office, networking group membership, and media exposure. Insider Louisville published a report to honor the top 100 ranked civic leaders in a report, “Insider Louisville’s Top 100: Change-makers and groundbreakers.”
WKNO’s The SPARK is a monthly half-hour interview program highlighting efforts in community service and technological and collaborative innovation by nonprofits, corporations, local businesses, and educational organizations. The SPARK is produced in partnership with cityCURRENT, a privately-funded organization comprised of local businesses focused on media along with philanthropy and volunteerism to provide a positive influence in the Mid-South. The SPARK Awards is an annual presentation honoring achievement in thirteen categories nominated by the public and judged by an independent committee.
Discover Classical’s Young Talent Search and Rising Stars Gala is the station’s annual spotlight on talented young classical musicians in our listening area. Applicants submit a solo performance, and through a blind audition, a group of 5-7 musicians are honored annually. Winners receive a prize package including an honorarium, gifts, an on-air interview on Discover Classical, and a chance to perform at the Rising Stars Gala.
The KVIE Art Auction is an annual, live-televised fundraising event. Over 250 pieces of artwork are donated by artists throughout the Sacramento region, curated from hundreds of submissions. Local artists receive print, on-air, and web recognition. 1 week prior to the live auction, we hold a Preview Gala where all the artwork is on display. Jury awards are announced, as well as the winner of the framing competition.
Double Down, now in its 13th season, is a televised Jeopardy-like half-hour weekly game show for teams of high school students from WCNY’s viewing area. Teams of students compete in matches that consist of four rounds, answering questions on a variety of topics. Each show is recorded without interruption in the television studios at WCNY and shows are broadcast on Sunday nights. The season kicks off in October with a “Qualifying Day” and ends with the Finals Matchup in January.