DENISE STENNIS AWARDS

The Review Committee (up to five members) comprising BID committee members and external professionals in the field will review the nominations and, if appropriate, select one individual award and one organization recipient recipient in a given year. The Review Committees 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 BID Planning Committee so decides in a particular year.  

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Any perceived or real conflicts of interest should be reported and discussed with the Review Committee 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 committee member is currently employed by the same employer or institution of one of the nominees, the committee chair should be made aware of the situation. The committee chair will inform committee members of these relationships.  

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.

The Awards may be presented during a virtual or in-person reception, to be held as part of the Breakin' It Down conference or as separate event.  The recipients of the awards receive a feature on BID's website, Facebook, a public announcement, and presentation of award plaque and monetary award. 

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.  

Prizes/awards are amounts received by an individual or non-profit organization primarily in recognition of religious, charitable, scientific, educational, artistic, literary or civic achievement or received as a result of entering a contest. 

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

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

 This Denise Stennis Awards is subject to all federal, state, and local laws. This awards contest and Official Rules are governed and interpreted by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

By participating in the Denise Stennis 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 Denise Stennis 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 Denise Stennis 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 Denise Stennis 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.  

 Breakin' It Down will post the Official Rules,  which are subject to change without notice, at Denise Stennis Awards | Breakin' It Down Chicago (breakinitdownchicago.org and names of the winners online at www.breakinitdownchicago.org.