Breakin It Down Awards

BREAKIN' IT DOWN AWARDS OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

The Breakin' It Down Awards recognize leadership excellence in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising. The recipients will be honored and presented with a commemorative award and monetary award, during the awards ceremony and lunch at the Breakin' It Down Conference.

Leadership is broadly defined and includes efforts in service to under-represented and underserved communities in the Chicago area; integration of racial equity with sustained strategic collaborations; and lifting pragmatic, action-oriented, and tenacious change makers in the field.

PURPOSE OF THE BREAKIN’ IT DOWN AWARDS

The purpose of the Breakin' It Down Awards program is to recognize those who are not just achieving for themselves but are lifting and paving the way for others. By their example, they inspire others to make similar contributions to the field and service to under-recognized communities in the Chicago area.

Service to the field should demonstrate the nominee’s commitment to advancing racial equity in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising; willingness to give time and effort; and the ability to draw together varied resources to affect transformative change in the field.

IMPORTANT DATES

Nomination Period Opens: MAY 20. 2025

Nomination Period Closes: JUNE 30, 2025

Nomination Review Process:

Notification and Acceptance Period:

Award Winners Announced: August 19, 2025

BID conference and awards ceremony announcing award winners: October 24, 2025

NOMINATE

DENISE STENNIS AWARDS

Created in 2019, the Denise Stennis Awards for individual and organizational awards are named in memory and honor of Denise Stennis, a community leader, mentor, friend, and co-founder of the Breakin' It Down Conference. Well-known and regarded in Chicago's nonprofit community, Denise served a number of social benefit, educational and cultural organizations. She directly influenced countless nonprofit decision-makers, fundraising volunteers, and the work as well as careers of many Chicago area development professionals. Denise wrote: “I use the word serve as a description of my responsibilities to the nonprofit community. I do not take that responsibility lightly. My love and faith in mankind is a driving force in my commitment to the profession and to those non-profits I have been fortunate to work with.” We honor her dedication to advancing racial equity and expanding opportunities to diverse communities and professionals in the nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising field.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Denise Stennis Awards is to recognize those who have attained distinction in the field and not only successes in their profession and/or volunteer service, but have also demonstrated passion for and commitment to advancing racial equity in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising and have used their influence for significant impact in under-recognized communities in the Chicago area.

THESE AWARDS EACH HAVE A CASH PRIZE OF $1,000.

Denise Stennis

DENISE STENNIS AWARDS RECIPIENTS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS

NDIVIDUAL

2024 - Melissa O'Dell, Defy Ventures Illinois

2023 - Bessie Alcantara, Alternatives

2022 - Deborah Bennett, Polk Bros. Foundation

2019 - Sharon Bush, Grand Victoria Foundation

ORGANIZATION

2024 - Chicago Jobs Council (CJC)

2023 - Blacks In Green and Rohingya Culture Center

2019 - Erie Neighborhood House

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Individual

2023 - Diane Latike, Kids Off the Block (KOB); Darnell Shields, Austin Coming Together;

Antonio Gutierrez, Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD)

Organization

2023 - Musical Arts Institute; Austin Coming Together

INDIVIDUAL NOMINATION CRITERIA

At least ten (10) years in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising (120 months) of professional experience based on the calendar year calculated from the time the nomination is due)
Track record of fostering collaborations as a champion of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion
Demonstrated impact in serving under-represented and underserved communities in the Chicago area
Provide one letter of support
Narrative about the candidate and why they are being nominated (See "Nomination Narrative")

ORGANIZATION NOMINATION CRITERIA

At least seven (7) years in operation
Track record of fostering collaborations as a champion of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion
Demonstrated impact in serving under-represented and underserved communities in the Chicago area
Provide support letters from one organization and one individual
Narrative about the candidate organization and why they are being nominated (See "Nomination Narrative")

EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS

The Emerging Leaders Awards was established in 2024, to recognize promising leaders who have not only shown exceptional promise and achievement in their careers but have also demonstrated passion for and commitment to advancing racial equity in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising and have used their influence for significant impact in under-recognized communities in the Chicago area. The Emerging Leaders Awards focus on the potential and promise of the future, rather than the established.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Emerging Leaders Awards is to encourage newer professionals, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations to continue their careers and service, to help drive economic empowerment and inclusive mobility in the communities they serve and the field.

THESE AWARDS EACH HAVE A CASH PRIZE OF $500.

EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS RECIPIENTS & HONORABLE MENTIONS

INAUGURAL EMERGING LEADERS

Arely A. Anaya , Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)Illinois

Ticina L. Williams, Southaeast Chicago Commission.

INDIVIDUAL NOMINATION CRITERIA

At least two (2) years and less than ten (10) years in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising (24 months) of professional experience based on the calendar year calculated from the time the nomination is due)
Track record of fostering collaborations as a champion of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion
Demonstrated impact in serving under-represented and underserved communities in the Chicago area
Provide one letter of support
Narrative about the candidate and why they are being nominated (See "Nomination Narrative")

ORGANIZATION NOMINATION CRITERIA

At least two (2) years but less than seven (7) years in operation
Track record of fostering collaborations as a champion of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion
Demonstrated impact in serving under-represented and underserved communities in the Chicago area
Provide support letters from one organization and one individual
Narrative about the candidate organization and why they are being nominated (See "Nomination Narrative")

HOW TO NOMINATE

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED

Monetary Award Amounts

Emerging Leaders Awards

Individual: US$500

Organization: US$500

Denise Stennis Awards

Individual: US$1,000

Nonprofit Organization: US $1,000

Please note that monetary award amounts are subject to change without notice and are contingent upon funding at the time the award nomination period is announced.

Important Dates

Nomination Period Opens: MAY 20. 2025

Nomination Period Closes: JUNE 24, 2025

Nomination Review Process:

Notification and Acceptance Period:

Award Winners Announced: August 19, 2025

BID conference and awards ceremony announcing award winners: October 24, 2025

PLEASE NOTE: Submissions and acceptance of award automatically constitute approval for Breakin it Down to use the information for promotional activities. The individuals and organizations selected for the Denise Stennis Awards and Emerging Leaders Awards may be featured in various promotional materials, without compensation. Photos and quotes may be displayed for promotional purposes including social media, website, electronic, and printed materials.

Eligibility and Restrictions

The Breakin' It Down Awards are open to nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising professionals, volunteers, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations serving under-recognized communities in the Chicago area and who meet the eligibility criteria. Nominations may be made by anyone familiar with the candidate's achievements, e.g., the organization of the candidate, community members, funders, or members of any of the Breakin it Down partner organizations. Self-nominations are also welcome. During their term of service, Fiscal Sponsor staff and Breaking' It Down Committee and subcommittee members are not eligible to nominate or for nomination.

Past nominations and past honorable mentions are eligible for consideration. Their nomination package should reflect current information and not simply rehash previous information.

Awardees may receive this award more than once, but only for completely distinct/separate achievements or service and then only after five (5) years following the award, except under special circumstances approved by the Breakin' It Down Planning Committee. Their nomination package must be significantly different from their previous winning nomination package. This means it must be at least 50% different in both content and wording (i.e. it should reflect current information and not simply rehash previous information.

To be considered, a nominee must meet all eligibility criteria and have a nomination package comprising all required materials. Nominators should review the criteria in the relevant award category to determine if the candidate is eligible for nomination. Additionally, nominators should review the criteria for all award categories below.

CRITIERA FOR ALL AWARD CATEGORIES

All nominations and materials should display exceptional leadership and influencing positive change. The nomination and materials should address the reasons for nomination and directly connect the nominee’s contributions with the purpose of the Breakin’ It Down Awards and the purpose and criteria of the relevant award category.

Additionally,

Service Area

Nominees, work ,and service must be for under-recognized communiti in the Chicago Area. For Breakin' It Down purposes, the Chicago area includes Cook County and the five collar counties are DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

U.S. Tax and Immigration Regulations

It is imperative that the nominator and nominee understand role of th IRS with respect to Breakin' It Down award payments. The nominator and nominee must also distinguish between the roles o the IRS and USCIS with respect to Breakin' It Down Award payments.

Indiviidual Awards

Prize/Awards are considered taxable income.
All prize/award recipients are subject to IRS regulations.
Breakin' It Down will provide the requisite IRS forms.
U.S. immigration regulations (now under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)) govern the types of payments that can be made to individuals who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the U.S. IRS and Treasury Department rules govern the Federal income and Social Security tax withholding and reporting rules related to payments made in accordance with USCIS rules. Breakin' It Down's Fiscal Sponsor will determine if determine if a payment to the individual is permissible under USCIS rules.

Organization Award

Must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization or project/organization that has tax- exempt status through a fiscal sponsor.

Nomination Process

Nominees will be judged and scored solely on the information contained in the nomination package. All nominations must be submitted electronically, and should include the following:

NOMINATION INFORMATION

The nomination information must be submitted electronically, using the Nomination Form below.

NOMINATION PACKAGE

The nomination package should include a resume or similar document that describes the candidate's professional background and achievements and other relevant activities. For organizations, a brochure or information sheet outlining the programs should be included. Evidence of years of experience must be included.

Completed nomination packages for the Breakin' It Down Awards should be submitted in PDF format as an attachment to the online application and must reach Breakin' It Down's Review Subommittee by 11:59 pm on July 17, 2025. Receipt of all nominations will be acknowledged by email only. Please allow one week after the deadline for such notification. Late or incomplete nomination packages will not be considered after July 17.

The nomination package must also include the following information:

NOMINEE

FULL NAME
If nominee is an individual, please provide first and last name.
If nothe nominee is an organization, please also type organization contact's full name.
Nominee's /Organization Contact's Title
Nominee's Organization/Company
Nominee's Business AddressNominee's City, State, Zip Code
Nominee's Email Address

NOMINATOR

Your Organization/Company Name
Your Phone Number
Your Email Address
Your Relationship to Nominee

NOMINATION SUMMARY

(250 words or less)

Restricted to outlining the nominee's accomplishments. Should your nominee be selected for an Award, the nomination summary you provide will be used to draft the official citation given to the nominee.

NOMINATION NARRATIVE

(Maximum 750 words)

Describe why the nominee’s accomplishments should receive the award. The nomination should describe the nominee's work and how it is aligned with the purpose, eligibility, and/or criteria of the award, the impact on the field (nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising), the significance of this effort, and the benefits to the under-represented and underserved communities that they serve in the Chicago area. It should address the nominee's years of experience.

SUPPORT LETTERS

(Maximum three pages: Typed, 12 pt font, single-spaced)

The supporter's contact information must be included in the letter, preferably on letterhead.

To assist the Review Subommittee in its deliberations, the support letters should contain information not addressed in the nomination narrative. The support letters should support the nominee's years' of experience and clearly describe the way the award’s purpose and criteria have been met and provide specific, concrete examples for the following

Track record of fostering collaborations as champion of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion
Demonstrated impact in serving under-represented and underserved communities in the Chicago area
Recognized excellence worthy of emulation in standards, practice, and contributions to the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising

Supporting documents must be attached at the time of submittal. ach file must be less than 10 MB and the total size of all attachments must be less than 15 MB.

SELECTION PROCESS

The recipients of the Awards are selected by the Breakin' It Down Awards Review Subcommittee, comprising BID committee members and external professionals, volunteers, and consultants in the field conducts in-depth qualitative assessment in order to select nominees and, subsequently, vote to determine the award winner. If appropriate, the Subcommittee may select one individual award and one organization recipient in the Emerging Leaders and Denise Stennis Awards categories in a given year. In the event that two nominations are tied for first place in a given category, the Review Subcommittee will review each nomination for a second time and provide new rating numbers for each nomination criteria. The nomination with the highest total ranking number will be the awardee. Results of the tie-breaker rating will be annotated on a separate worksheet ("TIE-BREAKER worksheet") and will be signed by Awards Subcommittee chair or Planning Committee vice chair for authenticity. In a rare occurrence, the two nominations tied for first place may be concurrently awarded in a category, subject to the approval of the Breakin’ It Down Planning Committee. At the discretion of Awards Subcommittee, an Honorable Mention may be recognized. The Awards Subcommittee may recommend not to present an award if the nominations do not meet the stated award criteria. The awards need not be offered if the BIreakin' It Down Planning Committee so decides in a particular year. All decisions of the Award and Breakin' It Down Planning Committees are final and not subject to appeal.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Any perceived or real conflicts of interest should be reported and discussed with the Review Subommittee chair. This includes but is not limited to whether a review committee member is a relative, partner, program collaborate, funder, employee, former employer, or former consultant. Additionally, if a Review Subcommittee member is currently employed by the same employer or institution of one of the nominees, the Review Subcommittee chair should be made aware of the situation. The Subcommittee chair will inform committee members of these relationships.

AWARD NOTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION

NOMINATION AND VERIFICATION

Potential awardees will be contacted by the Breakin' It Down Planning Committee vice chair by email provided at the time of nomination and will then be required to complete and submit the online Agreement to Breakin' It Down Awards Terms and Conditions. within three (3) days of notification or the award may be forfeited and an alternate awardee may be determined. Return of any award notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and an alternative may be determined.

The relevant IRS forms for potential awardees will be sent to the email address submitted at the time of nomination. Potential awardees will be required to complete and sign and return the document no less than forty-five (45)days before the award presentation ceremony.

NOMINATION EXPIRATION

Should a nominee not be selected in the initial year of submission, the nomination will be carried over and considered active for the next award cycle. Thus, a nomination will be considered at least twice. The award need not be made to count as an award cycle.

Updated materials to enhance the original nomination are highly encouraged and may be submitted if such materials are received online at BID's website prior to or on the next appropriate nomination deadline and comply with current eligibility qualifications.

In all cases, Breakin' It Down will notify the nominator as to the status of the nomination.

AWARDS PRESENTATION

The Breakin' It Down Awards are presented during a virtual or in-person ceremony, to be held as part of the Breakin' It Down Conference or as a separate event. The Breakin' It Down Awards recognize leadership excellence in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising. The recipients will be honored at the event. The recipients of the awards receive a feature on BID's website and social media channels, a public announcement, commemorative award, monetary award, and complementary full-BID conferenec registration for the awardee and a companion or organization representative. The nominator(s) of the awardee(s is also invited to the award ceremony and presented with one complementary registration.

The Breakin' It Down Awards are not conferred in absentia. Awardees must be present at the ceremony to receive the award. If they are not able to be present, they must send someone on their behalf. Organization awardee must send an organization representative.

TAXABILITY AND REPORTING

Prizes/awards are defined as amounts received by an individual or non-profit organization primarily in recognition of achievement or received as a result of entering a contest.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Rules Regarding Payments to Individuals

USCIS regulations restrict the types of payments that can be made to persons who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States. Whether such payments are permissible is based on the current immigration status of each individual payee as stated on the individual’s Form I-94, (i.e. generally a white or green card attached to the passport that lists the visa status of a non-immigrant visitor at the U.S. port of entry). Depending on the current immigration status of an individual, an individual may be permitted to receive a monetary award.

Forms must be completed and submitted to the Breakin' It Down Planning Committee at planningcommittee2breakinitdownchicago.org within three (3) days of award notification.

Award Payment to U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens, and Non-Profit Organizations

All prizes of $600 or more are reportable by the Breakin' It Down's Fiscal Sponsor on Form 1099- MISC

• Amount is subject to Federal Income Tax and potentially subject to State Income

Forms Required for Award Payment to U.S. Citizens

IRS Form W-9, Request For Taxpayer Identification Number, prior to disbursement of funds

Forms Required for Award Payment to Resident Alien

IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number
Copy of Permanent Resident or Resident Alien card or copy of the I-551 Stamp that is printed on the applicant's passport

Forms Required for Award Payment to Non-Profit Organization

IRS Form W-9, Request For Taxpayer Identification Number, prior to disbursement of funds
IRS Determination Letter or
Fiscal Sponsor Confirmation Letter and Determination Letter

Award Payment to Nonresident Aliens

IRS regulations require that Nonresident Aliens (NRA) who are receiving a prize/award are subject to 30% federal withholding on the payment. Generally, tax treaty provisions are not available to exempt a prize/award from the 30% tax withholding. Breakin' It Down, through its fiscal sponsor, is required to withhold 30% from the amount and remit it to the IRS. The NRA will receive the balance.

Forms Required for Award Payment to Nonresident Alien

IRS Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding
Form UPP 192, Alien Determination of Residency Form

WAIVER OF LIABILITY/PUBLICITY RELEASE

By participating in the Breakin' It Down Awards contest and submitting an entry, or agreeing to have an nomination entry submitted, each nominator/entrant agrees to (i) be bound by these Official Rules, including all nomination requirements, and (ii) waive any and all claims against Breakin' It Down and its fiscal sponsor, which is providing the prize(s), if any, and their fiscal sponsor, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers, licensees, and any and all other organizations and individuals associated with the Breakin' It Down Awards contest, and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, "Released Parties") for any injury, damage or loss that may occur, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from the participation in the Breakin' It Down Awards contest or from the receipt or use of any Prize (or any portion thereof) or any activity related to the receipt or use of any Prize (or any portion thereof).

By entering the Breakin' It Down Awards contest or submitting any nomination for the Awards contest, each entrant or nominator gives their express permission to be contacted by Breakin It Down planning committee members and/or its fiscal sponsor by telephone, e-mail and/or postal mail for contest purposes. The winner, by acceptance of the Prize, grants to Breakin' It Down the right to publicize such winner's entry, name, employer, location (city and state), photograph, voice, statements and/or other likeness and prize information for advertising, promotional, and/or any other purpose in any media or format now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world, in perpetuity, without limitation and without further compensation, consideration, permission or notification, unless prohibited by law.

OTHER INFORMATION

POSTHUMOUS AWARDS

Posthumous awards will be made only when knowledge of the individual's death is received after the recipient has been announced. Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination. Nominations of individuals known to be deceased are not accepted.

FORFEITURE OF BREAKIN' IT DOWN AWARD

A Breakin' It Down Award may be forfeited and an alternative successful nomination may be selected, if:

Selected awardee fails to accept the awaed within three (3) business days of notification.
Selected awardee cannot attend the award ceremony, based on time and date in the agenda.

BREAKIN' IT DOWN AWARDS

Fostering Leadership ExCELLENCE