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1. Who is eligible?
2. Is this a grant?
3. How many awards are given?
4. How does the work get nominated?
5. If I am nominating my organization, who should complete the application?
6. How many applications do you receive each year?
7. Can I submit additional materials?
8. Do you have any tips for completing the application?
9. How will the nominations be judged?
10. How long does the judging process take, how does it work, and who are the judges?
11. If I win, what do I need to do?
12. Do I have to submit my application online?
13. What is the deadline for nominations?

1. Who is eligible? (Answer last updated on Feb 7, 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 U.S. or Canada.
   • Category 2: An individual athlete or professional coach's foundation based in the U.S. or Canada.
   • Category 3: A professional sports league or player association based in the U.S.; a sports philanthropy organization based in the U.S. that serves those in the U.S. and/or internationally.
   We reserve the right to move applications within the three categories. Past winners of the award are ineligible.

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2. Is this a grant? (Answer last updated on Mar 1, 2010)

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

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3. 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.

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4. 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.

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5. 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.

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6. How many applications do you receive each year? (Answer last updated on Mar 1, 2010)

   Anywhere between 35-50 total applicants.

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7. Can I submit additional materials? (Answer last updated on Mar 1, 2010)

   Additional materials are not accepted.

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

   Yes.  Visit the Apply page for application help and instructions.  Also, be sure to read about the work of each of our past winners to better understand the standards applied during the review process.

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9. How will the nominations be judged? (Answer last updated on Mar 1, 2010)

   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 these 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?

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10. How long does the judging process take, how does it work, and who are the judges? (Answer last updated on Feb 9, 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.
    
    2012 Selection Committee:
    • Kathy Babiak, Associate Professor, Sport Management, University of Michigan
    • David Colby, Vice President, Research and Evaluation, RWJF
    • Alisha Greenberg, Director, Patterson Award
    • Brian Griese, Founder, Judi's House (2011 Winner)
    • Fred Mann, Assistant Vice President for Communications,RWJF
    • Sarah Martinez-Helfman, Executive Director, Eagles Youth Partnership (2005 Winner)
    • Joe Marx, Senior Communications Officer, RWJF
    • Carlette Patterson, President, Patterson Sports Ventures
    • Sue Petersen, Executive Director, San Francisco Giants Community Fund (2008 Winner)
    • Susan Promislo, Senior Communications Officer, RWJF

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11. If I win, what do I need to do? (Answer last updated on Mar 1, 2010)

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

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12. Do I have to submit my application online? (Answer last updated on Mar 1, 2010)

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

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13. What is the deadline for nominations? (Answer last updated on Mar 2, 2010)

    All nominations must be submitted by the posted deadline. Nominations submitted after the deadline will not be accepted or reviewed.

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