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BreakThrough Award Overview
Background
BreakThrough Practices
BreakThrough Award Selection Panel
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Help Us Spread the Word
Useful Resources
> Frequently Asked Questions
For More Information
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Award
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What does the BreakThrough Award recognize?
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The BreakThrough Award is for organizations in the nonprofit or public sectors that are filling pressing human resource needs by engaging the growing numbers of Americans over 50 who want to work for the greater good. The Award will showcase new approaches by these organizations, as employers or intermediaries.
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How often is the BreakThrough Award given?
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This is the inaugural year of the BreakThrough Award. Continuation beyond this year is contingent on additional funding.
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Who funds the BreakThrough Award?
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The MetLife Foundation has provided funding to Civic Ventures for the inaugural year of this award.
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What do Award winners receive?
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Organizations that receive a BreakThrough Award will be showcased for their leadership and human resource savvy through a media campaign and wide dissemination of best and promising practice information to other organizations, stakeholders identified by the award winners, and potential investors in expanding such practices.
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Eligibility, Nomination Process and Timeline
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What types of organizations are eligible for nomination?
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Organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors are eligible to apply or be nominated by others for their practices as employers or intermediaries.
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Will the Award recognize practices that increase volunteer opportunities?
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This Award does not apply to volunteer work done without any type of financial support. "Financial support", however, is broadly viewed and may include things such as health insurance, stipends, living allowance, or other creative benefits. Organizations that are engaging individuals over 50 solely as volunteers, without any form of compensation, are not eligible for the Award.
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Who can submit nominations?
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Nominations are welcome from any individual who is familiar with the work/practices of an organization, including an employee submitting an application on behalf of his or her organization.
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Can a nominator submit applications for more than one organization?
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There is no limit to the number of applications a nominator may submit.
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When do nominations begin? When is the deadline?
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The nomination process has begun. Applications are now available and can be submitted at any time through February 1, 2007.
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How long is the application? How much time might be needed to complete it?
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The application asks for general information about the organization and five specific questions about the practices being implemented to engage people over 50 in good work. It should not take longer than one hour to complete.
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How do I submit a nomination?
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Nominations will be accepted only through online submissions to the Civic Ventures web site. Technical questions about accessing and completing the online application form are answered in the Technical Questions section of these FAQs.
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Should I send letter(s) of support and/or additional materials along with my application?
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Nominations will be evaluated based on the answers on the application form alone. Please do not send additional materials for review. During the review process, some applicants may be contacted and asked to provide additional information, and there will be telephone interviews with all finalists.
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How will I know that my nomination has been received?
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You will be sent an email acknowledgement when your application is submitted online.
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Selection Process
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How will applicants be evaluated?
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The following questions will be considered in evaluating applications:
- Intent: Were the practices implemented in order to engage older adults in good work?
- Impact: How many individuals 50+ are working as a result of the practices?
- Social Purpose: What is the social need addressed by the work?
- Creativity: How resourceful and unique are the practices employed to overcome obstacles in recruitment or retention, or expand opportunities?
- Replicability/Expansion: Is this a useful "best" or "promising" practice that is transferable to other organizations? Can it be extended to engage more people?
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Who makes the final selection of BreakThrough Award winners?
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An award selection panel will determine the final slate of winners. Civic Ventures board member Rex Adams, former Dean of the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and previously the Vice-President, Administration of Mobil Oil Corporation, is serving as the committee chair. The members of this panel have expertise in human resources, work-life issues, and workforce demographics.
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When and where will award winners be announced?
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Award winners will be announced in Washington, D.C. in early Spring 2007.
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Technical Questions
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What kind of software/hardware do I need to access the online application?
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To complete the online portion of the application you will need Internet access and Microsoft Word or word processing software that can save documents in Word format.
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How do I complete the application?
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First you will go to the application page of the website and click on "Download application narrative". This will allow you to save the application form on your computer and complete all required sections.
When you are done, use the "Save As" feature to give the application form a new name. The file name should be "YourOrganizationBTA2007.doc" where YourOrganization is the name of your organization. For example, if the organization’s name is "Experience At Work", your file name would be ExperienceAtWorkBTA2007.doc
Once you have finished your Word document to your satisfaction, return to the BreakThrough Award website and click on the link to "Submit application". On this page you will:
- Re-enter certain contact and organizational information
- Then click on the button within the form titled "Browse". This will open a window allowing you to locate your completed narrative on your computer or network. When you find the document and click open, the path to the file on your computer will pre-fill the form field.
When all the information is correct, click on the Submit Application button at the bottom of the form.
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How can I keep a copy of my completed application?
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Since your word document will be on your computer, you will automatically have a copy of that. You may click on the Print button on your browser before submitting your application if you need a copy of the contact information you are providing to us.
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Additional Questions
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Whom should I contact if I have additional questions?
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Please submit your questions to:
Emily Gillingham
Email: egillingham [at] civicventures [dot] org
Phone: 415-222-7484
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Adding Life to Years
"This increase in the life span and the number of our senior citizens presents this Nation with increased opportunities: the opportunity to draw upon their skill and sagacity--and the opportunity to provide the respect and recognition they have earned. It is not enough for a great nation merely to have added new years to life-- our objective must also be to add new life to those years."
- President John F. Kennedy, Special Message to Congress 1963
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