City Seeks Nominations for 2026 Be More Awards Honoring Exceptional Volunteers

The City of Bloomington calls on the community to recognize outstanding volunteers by submitting nominations for the 2026 Be More Awards. These annual awards, presented by the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, celebrate the incredible contributions of individuals and groups who make a lasting impact in Bloomington and Monroe County.

Nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Members of the general public, community organizations, or businesses may submit nominations. Awards will be made in eight categories:

• Be More Bloomington Award: Presented to an individual or group demonstrating excellence in addressing the issues of 2025, such as housing/homelessness, immigration, and food insecurity issues.
• Be More Creative Award: Honors volunteer work within the arts community. 
• Be More Dedicated Award: Presented to an individual or couple over the age of 60 for their lifetime of service.
• Be More Energized Award: Honors an individual or group under the age of 25.
• Be More Engaged Award: Honors an individual or a group employed at a business or organization who engages in volunteer activities and programs on behalf of their employer.
• Be More Impactful Award: Honors the volunteer or volunteer group of the year. 
• Be More Involved Award: Presented to an individual who has volunteered for at least three non-profit organizations for a year or longer. The recipient will select which of the non-profit organizations they serve will receive the cash award.
• Be More Phenomenal Award: Presented for outstanding leadership through board, commission, or committee involvement. ​

The selection process is impartial, with committee members recusing themselves from reviewing nominations with which they have a personal or professional connection.

Recipients will be honored during the 2026 Be More Awards celebration ceremony on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47408. Each award recipient will receive a $1,000 grant award for the primary nonprofit organization they serve, thanks to the generous support of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

For more information or to submit a nomination, contact Bloomington Volunteer Network Coordinator Aubrey Seader at [email protected] or 812-349-3433.