Apply for the 2024 NACo Achievement Awards
Join us in celebrating 54 years of county innovation
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The application period has closed, but our technical assistance team is available for anyone who had trouble sumbitting an application. We will work to ensure you can share your county's innovations!
Getting Started
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Email awards@naco.org with any questions.
Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities.
Access the Application Portal
Please note that the application deadline has passed. If you had already started or submitted application, you can still click here to access the application portal.
Awards Process and FAQs
Just getting started? NACo is here to help! Explore the application guide below or email awards@naco.org for additional assistance.
Tell Your County's Story
Achievement Award winners have been featured in local media, in County News and at NACo’s Annual Conference. Eighteen “best of category” winners will receive special recognition, and all winners will receive a customizable press release to share the good news. Explore further for full program details and to learn more about the application process, including key dates, award categories, eligibility and criteria.
Eligibility and Criteria
Only county governments and state associations of counties are eligible to submit applications. There is no limit to the number of applications that can be submitted by a single county. Regional partners are welcome to submit applications for a collective project; however, the associated county or state association must submit the application on the group’s behalf.
- The start date of the program must be explicitly stated; the program must have become operational after January 1, 2019 and must have measurable results.
- County officials and/or staff, as part of their official duties, must have played a significant role in developing and implementing the program, with limited assistance from outside technical experts and/or consultants.
- All steps in the application process must be completed and all application fees must be paid in full by March 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Programs must accomplish one or more of the following:
- Offer new services to county residents, fill gaps in the availability of services, fill gaps in or tap new revenue sources
Improve the administration of an existing county government program - Upgrade the working conditions or level of training for county employees. Enhance the level of citizen participation in, or the understanding of, government programs
- Provide information that facilitates effective public policy making
Promote intergovernmental cooperation and coordination in addressing shared problems
In the case of a program that is in response to a federal or state law, regulation or order, the program must go beyond mere compliance with the statute, regulation or order and must display a creative approach to meeting those requirements.
- The program must have measurable results (e.g. cost savings, enhanced employee productivity, improved constituent services, created better intergovernmental cooperation).
- The program must be innovative and not rely on techniques or procedures that are common practice in most counties of similar population or size.
- All aspects of the program must be consistent with acceptable governmental and financial management practices and must promote general governmental accountability.
Ineligible programs include:
- Programs designed to influence laws or regulations
- Certification or accreditation programs
- Events that ONLY take place one time, such as conducting a conference, the formation of a task force or the establishment of a committee
- Programs that are adopted, whole or in part, from other public or private entities
- Programs, whole or in part, that have received a previous NACo Achievement Award
- Programs that center on the purchase of new technology or equipment, the construction of a building or the privatization/contracting out of a function
- A newsletter or a publication
Tips
- Include writing that is clear and concise. The average reader needs to be able to understand the objectives and judge the merits of the program.
- Have measurable results. Programs could have been implemented five months ago or five years ago, but outcome measures must be available and clearly expressed.
Key Dates
NOW:
Accepting Applications
March 1, 2024:
Early Bird Submission Deadline
April 5, 2024:
EXTENDED Submission Deadline
Early May:
Notifications of Achievement Awards
Awards Ceremony:
2024 NACo Annual Conference
Step One: Preparing the Nomination Summary
Please prepare your nomination summary according to the outline of sections below.
In approximately 200 words or less, summarize the program include the program description, the purpose and outcomes.
Abstracts of award winning programs will be published. Please be sure to provide clear and concise information as this section will be used publicly in whatever format it is submitted.
Discuss the problem or need that prompted the development of the program and the county’s legal obligation, if any, to take action. Approximately ¼ pages.
Provide a description of the nominated program including its objectives, time frame for development and implementation, clientele, the county’s role in implementing the program and the contributions of any other partners where applicable (e.g. states and the federal government, consultants and private partnerships). Approximately 2 ½ pages.
If applicable, describe how the program responded to county budget constraints or addressed the county’s new economic reality. Approximately ¾ pages.
To ensure all residents have what they need to achieve their fullest potential, county leaders are taking actions to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into county operations.
If applicable, describe how the program advances diversity, equity and inclusion priorities within the county or addresses existing racial and socioeconomic disparities. Approximately 250 to 300 words.
Describe both the operating and capital costs incurred in developing and implementing the program. List all costs that would be incurred by a county attempting to replicate the program. Approximately 250 to 300 words.
Provide a description of the results and the success of the program in meeting its objectives. Include specific examples and outcome measures. Approximately 250 to 300 words.
Give justification for why this program meets the outlined criteria and should be awarded a 2024 Achievement Award(s). Approximately 100 to 200 words.
Supplemental materials such as pictures and charts may be uploaded in separate PDF documents on the application form. Supplemental materials are not required but are highly encouraged.
Achievement Awards Categories
Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation: Demonstrate how counties observe local heritage and/or leverage the arts to improve residents’ quality of life and address challenges communities face
Children and Youth: Ensure children’s development through a continuum of supportive services including health, education and childcare
Civic Education and Public Information: Enrich the public’s understanding of county government and elevate awareness of county services
Community and Economic Development: Foster and create conditions to support community and economic development, including enhancing processes and partnerships that strengthen communities
County Administration and Management: Engage county workers and provide resources to staff to manage departments and services more efficiently
Criminal Justice and Public Safety: Improve public safety systems, justice systems, community crime prevention and crisis intervention
County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy and Sustainability: Optimize new technologies and other innovations to advance the county’s energy goals and environmental stewardship
Financial Management: Utilize new models of managing county finances and improve stewardship of taxpayer resources
Health: Improve residents’ physical and/or behavioral health, including through promoting healthy living and delivering health services
Human Services: Assist residents, particularly veterans, children, elderly residents and/or disabled residents
Information Technology: Implement creative uses of technology that make county processes more efficient and cost-effective
Libraries: Engage libraries to achieve community goals and support innovation and public outreach through county library systems
Parks and Recreation: Revitalize and reimagine existing or create new public spaces that benefit residents and visitors
Personnel Management, Employment and Training: Demonstrate strategic ways to recruit county employees, encourage professional development and maintain a first-class workforce
Planning: Illustrate how counties think creatively about community design and development processes
Risk and Emergency Management: Bolster a county’s ability to plan for, recover from and adapt to disasters, both natural and man-made, whose impacts can be physical, economic and social
Transportation: Improve the movement of goods and people and shape how communities grow
Volunteers: Showcase how county residents give back to communities and neighbors
Step Two: Submit Your Entry Information
Explore the questions below to ensure your application tells your county's story.
The individual listed as the contact in the application should be the primary point of contact for this program. All correspondence and logistical communications about the program will be directed to the person listed on the application. Applications for the 2024 Achievement Awards Program will be submitted online.
To complete the application process, each person must have a log in (your email address). If your email address is not registered in the NACo database or if your county is not a NACo member, please follow the directions to create a log in. Once logged in, your contact information will automatically populate the online application form.
**If you are submitting the application on behalf of another person in your county, please be sure to indicate the other person as the PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT at this time so that we can reach the appropriate party with programmatic questions.
Should your program win an award, the program title you provide will appear, exactly as it was submitted, on the certificate as well as any media channels. The title should be no more than 75 characters and should not include the name of the county.
Please choose one category from the drop down list on the online application. Note that the selection of a program category should be determined by the content of the program, not the organizational department implementing it. If you feel your application fits into two or more categories, please choose one that best covers the main topic area of the program.
Please submit the abstract that was drafted as part of the nomination summary (200 words or less).
All applicants must agree to the terms and conditions listed on the application page in order to continue with the application process. By agreeing to these terms, the county certifies that this program is operated as described in the submitted award application.
The fee for each application submitted before February 24, 2024 is $75. The fee for each application will increase to $100 from February 24 – March 30, 2024. Any application received without payment will not be judged or awarded.
Payment by credit card may be made through our online application system. Once payment is submitted, a receipt will be emailed to the email address provided. If you are unable to pay the application fee via credit card, we can assist in processing payment by check, voucher or purchase order. Please complete your application through the online system, and then email awards@naco.org for further assistance.
Have a Question?
NACo is here to help. Email awards@naco.org or submit the form on this page. A member of the NACo team will reach out to provide support.