Partners for Impact Awards

Social Innovation: “Novel ideas that work to resolve social problems for the benefit of society, not for individuals alone.”

This award recognizes an initiative or agency that has implemented a socially innovative idea which led to a community or organizational change.

Eligibility Criteria

Initiatives and/or agencies nominated in this category have:

• Used innovation processes to generate a novel product or solution (Creation)
• Developed a clear innovative product (Development)
• Described how the innovative product is being used to address community, organizational, or system change (Adoption)
• Demonstrated results and ultimate value of the innovation in relation to community, organizational, or system change (Value)

The community we live in can impact the opportunities we have in life. Research shows living in neighbourhoods with high levels of poverty can negatively impact life expectancy, physical and mental health, early childhood development, and overall quality of life. This award recognizes agencies and their employees who exemplify a strong commitment to mobilize community members in addressing the issues that matter to them.

Eligibility Criteria

Agencies and their employees who exemplify a commitment to engaging and mobilizing community members.

Agencies nominated in this category have demonstrated within their organization, with their key stakeholders and/or with the broader community:

• Leadership – Has demonstrated the ability to move forward with programs that strengthen communities
• Dedication – Has shown a high level of commitment to the community and community members
• Engagement – Has actively worked with community members to mobilize communities
• Design – Has reoriented their programs and services to include and involve community members in all aspects of design, delivery, and evaluation
• Impact – Has demonstrable impact on the improvement and thriving of communities

This award recognizes agencies or initiatives who exemplify a commitment to support the Indigenous community and build awareness to both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community through their services. Eligible candidates will demonstrate an internal policy or intentional actions to actively include Indigenous peoples; implement inclusion and consultation practices of Indigenous peoples in service design, cultural practices, and governance; and include knowledge and awareness of the topic of intergenerational trauma, healing and reconciliation.

Eligibility Criteria

Agencies or initiatives that exemplify a commitment to support the Indigenous community and build awareness to both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community through their services.

Agencies or initiatives nominated in this category may have:

• An internal policy to actively include Indigenous peoples (supply a copy) beyond a general diversity policy.
• Included and consulted Indigenous peoples in the planning and delivery of programs
• Included Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge as part of staff development, program design and implementation and to the community at large
• Included Indigenous people, their world views, and practices in both programs and governance
• Incorporated knowledge and/or awareness on the topic of Intergenerational Trauma, healing and reconciliation in their programs, or approaches to working in the community
• Shared their learning with other agencies or groups, and learned from others about Indigenous cultures, issues, and strategies to engage in continuous improvement through learning.

This award recognizes significant partnerships between and among community agencies, community groups, government, businesses, and/or citizens to address and alleviate complex social problems that can’t be solved by one sector or organization alone in order to achieve large-scale, lasting social change. Eligible candidates will have identified a community issue and partnered with others to address the issue through service delivery; influencing systems and policy change; developed collaborative approaches that strengthen the network and capacity of non-profits and or citizens; and achieve outcomes that would not be possible alone.

Eligibility Criteria

An initiative which has developed significant partnerships with community agencies, community groups, government, businesses and / or Citizens to address and alleviate complex social problems that can’t be solved by one sector or organization alone in order to achieve large-scale, lasting social change.

Initiatives nominated in this category may have:

• Along with others identified a community gap issue that is not being addressed
• Worked with other organizations towards influencing systems and policy change at sector, municipal, and/or provincial government levels
• Developed a project that requires multiple groups to work in partnership to strengthen the network and capacity of non-profit community services and or citizens
• Achieved outcomes that would not have been possible without widespread partnership/collaboration

The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward individual employees who demonstrate exemplary partnership, collaboration and/or connection in their front-line work.

Over the past year, ideal candidates have accomplished or demonstrated at least one of the following:

• Dedication to working with other communities, organizations, and/or staff to provide holistic, coordinated service that benefits Calgarians.
• Implementing creative and innovative approaches to partnership, collaboration, and/or connection.
• Working with others to promote, implement, and refine effective solutions.
• Fostering cross-organizational and/or cross-sectoral teamwork that benefits Calgarians.

The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward individual employees who demonstrate dedication to community building.

Over the past year, ideal candidates have accomplished or demonstrated at least one of the following:

• Dedication to asset-based resident approaches.
• Contributing to creative and innovate approaches in community development.
• Demonstrating strong relationship building abilities.
• Empowering others and building capacity.
• Promoting and celebrating diversity, equity, and meaningful inclusion.

The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward individual employees who demonstrate commitment to placing people at the heart of their work.

Over the past year, ideal candidates have demonstrated or accomplished at least one of the following:

• Achieving impactful results with individuals or families served.
• Advancing improvements in client journey through systems.
• Advancing improvements in client continuum of care.
• Leading in innovative client-centred approaches.

The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward individual employees who demonstrate exemplary leadership in their front-line work. These leaders play an exceptional role in helping others contribute to their organization and advance its mission. These leaders may have introduced ideas, services or practices in new and imaginative ways, contributed innovative solutions to their organization, or made major improvements to agency operations or services provided.

Over the past year, ideal candidates have accomplished or demonstrated at least one of the following:

• Strong leadership in professional development and learning.
• Introducing ideas that increase revenue, reduce costs or improve service.
• Enhancing efficiency, accuracy or productivity in innovative ways.
• Contributing creative ideas to address issues within the scope of their job, department or organization.
• Introducing changes to improve processes or systems.
• Challenging existing assumptions.
• Taking calculated risks in pursuit of continuous improvement.

The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward individual employees who have demonstrated remarkable commitment and passion to their work and community.

Over the past year, ideal candidates have demonstrated or accomplished at least one of the following:

• Inspiring those around them.
• Working to build resilience in their organization and/or community.
• Introducing and managing change in a transformational way.
• Serving as mentors, valued advisors, or sources of wisdom for others.