The SPNovation Awards celebrate and showcase state think-tank innovations.

Know a state think tank that has been particularly innovative and should be recognized?

Nominate it for an SPNovation Award!

Awards will be given for innovative publications, websites, marketing campaigns, fundraising or outreach efforts, programs, events, or any other innovative undertaking.

Prizes. The award includes $2,500 for the winning organization and covers travel expenses for a staff member to present the winning idea on an innovation panel at the SPN Annual Meeting.

Eligibility. Only SPN members are eligible to win.

Time frame. Awards will be presented quarterly. Deadlines to apply are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15.

Nominations. Anyone may make a nomination; groups may nominate themselves.

See below to fill out the SPNovation Award Nomination Form.

Innovation: Where greater value is achieved by introducing something new or where something that exists already has greater value through better application of information, imagination and initiative.

SPNovation Award Nomination Form
1.	Organization Name *
2.	Name of Innovation *
3.	Month/Year Innovation Debuted  *
4.	Name of Nominator *
5.	Email Address of Nominator *
6.	Website (if applicable)
7.	Brief Description of Project. 150 word limit. *
8.	Why is this project innovative? (Review our definition above.) 100 word limit. *
9.	What are the successes and results of this project? 100 word limit. *
	* Required
You will receive a confirmation e-mail shortly after your nomination is submitted.

Judges.

• Whitney Ball, President & CEO, Donors Trust
• John Kramer, Vice President for Communications, Institute for Justice
• Jo Kwong, Director of Philanthropic Services, Philanthropy Roundtable
• Tracie Sharp, President, State Policy Network
• Bridgett Wagner, Director of Coalition Relations, Heritage Foundation
• Lindsay Young Craig, Vice President, Communications & Marketing, Manhattan Institute

Questions? Email SPNovation@spn.org.

Other details.

• An innovation may be nominated for up to 12 months after it was released, published, put into practice, et cetera. An innovation is not eligible until it has debuted (i.e. don't nominate the fantastic project you're launching next month; wait until the next round of nominations).
• If an innovation does not win the award given immediately after the nomination, it will continue to be eligible to win for up to a year after the innovation was originally released, published, put into practice, et cetera.
• An organization can win more than one award in a year.

Congratulations to
The James Madison Institute
for winning the SPNovation Award for their
"Celebrate Freedom" High School Curriculum Supplement!

To help social studies teachers throughout Florida teach founding principles in a meaningful way, The James Madison Institute created a 12-page supplemental curriculum called, "Celebrate Freedom," in conjunction with the News-in-Education department at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Last September, nearly 60,000 high school students received this special curriculum during "Celebrate Freedom Week" which, in Florida, is the week after Constitution Day. These colorful 12-page booklets, which closely examine key passages from the Declaration of Independence (that Florida students are expected to recite), use a variety of tools and "thought experiments" to help students gain a greater understanding of America's founding principles

"The James Madison Institute's Celebrate Freedom booklets for high school students are a tangible approach to reaching young people," said SPNovation judge Lindsay Young Craig. "Learning about why freedom is key to how our country works is fundamental to becoming a young engaged citizen who is proud of our country."  JMI's "Celebrate Freedom" booklets have been very well received by students, teachers, state and local education officials, and JMI supporters.

Visit SPNovation Archives to view past awards.