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Steve Patterson Award

The Steve Patterson Award recognizes those in professional sports making a difference off the field. Each year we anticipate a spirited competition.

The 2013 Call for Nominations Is Now Closed

2013 award applicants will be invited to attend an exclusive event at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on September 25, 2013. The private event will include the 2013 award presentation in addition to an opportunity to meet with RWJF program staff and RWJF experts on evaluation and grantwriting. You will also have a chance to network with your peers and past award winners.

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For more information about the Steve Patterson Award contact:

Alisha Greenberg
pattersonaward@rwjf.org
(301) 657-9379

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is eligible?
  2. Are RWJF grantees eligible to apply?
  3. What if I am a grantmaking organization and don't operate a program?
  4. Is this a grant?
  5. How many awards are given?
  6. How does the work get nominated?
  7. If I am nominating my organization, who should complete the application?
  8. How many applications do you receive each year?
  9. Can I submit additional materials?
  10. Do you have any tips for completing the application?
  11. How will the nominations be judged?
  12. How long does the judging process take, how does it work, and who are the judges?
  13. If I win, what do I need to do?
  14. Do I have to submit my application online?
  15. What is the deadline for nominations?

 

1. Who is eligible?
Answer last updated on Dec. 14, 2012

Each applicant must represent one of the following three categories:

  • Category 1: A professional sports team community relations department or a professional sports team foundation based in the United States, Canada, or International.
  • Category 2: An individual athlete or professional coach's foundation based in the United States, Canada, or International.
  • Category 3: A professional sports league, player association or sports philanthropy organization based in the United States, Canada, or International.

We reserve the right to move applications within the three categories. Past winners of the award are ineligible.

 

2. Are RWJF grantees eligible to apply?
Answer last updated Mar. 2, 2010

Yes. RWJF grantees are eligible to apply but are given no preference during the review process.

 

3. What if I am a grantmaking organization and don't operate a program?
Answer last updated Mar. 2, 2010

You are eligible to apply and have the same opportunity to win as someone who operates their own program.

 

4. Is this a grant?
Answer last updated on Mar. 1, 2010

No. There is no monetary amount associated with this award.

 

5. How many awards are given?
Answer last updated on Feb. 7, 2012

Up to three awards may be given each year—one in each category outlined above. The selection committee reserves the right to grant an award in only one of the three categories in any given year. Nominees may only apply in one of the three categories.

 

6. How does the work get nominated?
Answer last updated on Mar. 1, 2010

Eligible organizations submit their own applications. No third party applications are accepted.

 

7. If I am nominating my organization, who should complete the application?
Answer last updated on Mar. 1, 2010

We recommend having the person who oversees this type of work complete the application or someone very involved in the details of the program.

 

8. How many applications do you receive each year?
Answer last updated on Mar. 1, 2012

Each year we receive approximately 35 and 50 applications.

 

9. Can I submit additional materials?
Answer last updated on Mar. 1, 2010

Additional materials are not accepted.

 

10. Do you have any tips for completing the application?
Answer last updated on Mar. 1, 2010

Preview the application and read these FAQs for guidance. Also, read about the work of each of our past winners to better understand the standards applied during the review process.

 

11. How will the nominations be judged?
Answer last updated on Dec. 14, 2012

A selection committee, including representatives from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Patterson family, will evaluate all nominations. The decisions of the selection committee are final. The committee reserves the right not to present the award in any given year. The following selection criteria will be applied:

  • What outcomes distinguish the nominee's impact from that of others in sports philanthropy?
  • Are those outcomes particularly sustained? Comprehensive? Far-reaching?
  • How well does the nominee use their assets to advance its goals?
  • How has the nominee's work benefited their community?
  • How has the nominee demonstrated leadership within the field of sports philanthropy?
  • How has the nominee provided leadership within its community?
  • Has the nominee directly mentored or inspired other sports philanthropies, community organizations, or others?

 

12. How long does the judging process take, how does it work, and who are the judges?
Answer last updated on Dec. 14, 2012

The Patterson Award selection process is strategic and thoughtful. It takes two months, two separate rounds of review, and a panel of experts to evaluate each application and determine the winners each year. Our reviewers represent the best in sports philanthropy and academics in addition to RWJF experts and past winners.

 

13. If I win, what do I need to do?
Answer last updated Mar. 1, 2010

The winners will be expected to participate in an award presentation and to offer remarks regarding its work in sports philanthropy.

 

14. Do I have to submit my application online?
Answer last updated Mar. 1, 2010

Yes. Only submissions through our online application process are eligible. No hard copy materials will be accepted or reviewed.

 

15. What is the deadline for nominations?
Answer last updated Mar. 2, 2012

All nominations must be submitted by the application deadline, April 9, 2013. Nominations submitted after the deadline will not be accepted or reviewed.