YAA Board of Governors Excellence Awards

• Any Yale alumni group may be nominated for any program, event, or initiative that occurred during the current academic year (July 2025 – June 2026). 
• No organization can win an award for essentially the same or similar program, event, or initiative in consecutive years. [Example: an annual conference with similar features might win one year but not the next year. That said, an organization can win in successive years for distinctly different accomplishments. Over time, the Board wishes to inspire alumni by showcasing a variety of efforts.] 
• The award selection committee will consider multiple nominations from a single alumni organization or group but will consider only one nomination per program, event or initiative. An organization will not receive more than one award in one year.
• Each nomination should focus on ONE event (or a closely related series of events), program, or initiative. [Example: a group’s full year of unrelated events is not eligible, but a series of events that are closely connected around a topic or theme is eligible. Starting a new group or reviving an existing group is eligible.] 
• Nominations that do not meet the stated eligibility criteria will not be considered.

The YAA Board of Governors Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Yale College classes, regional clubs, interest groups, Graduate and professional school alumni associations, and other alumni group efforts. Nominees should exhibit excellence in programs, events, and initiatives that advance the mission and values of the Yale Alumni Association. Accomplishments recognized should raise standards and contribute to the growth and effectiveness of alumni programming at Yale. Nominations may be submitted by any alumna/us. Groups are strongly encouraged to self-nominate.
 
Nominations may be made for any group effort, event, or program: Classes have won awards for reunion events and events in non-reunion years; clubs of all sizes and around the world have won for their innovative programming; Graduate and professional school alumni associations, interest groups, and other alumni groups have won for specific events and volunteer engagement efforts; Day of Service events both large and small have won; and group efforts have won for marketing, branding, communications, technology, social networking media, collaboration, student engagement, or outstanding innovation.

Award nomination submissions must be made via the online nomination form. Nominations may be submitted by any member of the Yale alumni community, including the leaders of the relevant alumni group, or any other alumni who are familiar with its activities. If you are not the leader of the group you would like to nominate, please obtain the group's approval before submitting the nomination. 

Submissions will be judged by the answers to the questions on the nomination form. At least one image that the YAA can use to promote your nomination digitally is required, and supplementary material (up to three brief files) may be included for any visual element central to a nomination, particularly related to marketing, branding, and communications efforts. You are asked to provide contact information for the alumni leader or organizer of the nominated effort, and an additional reference person (organizer or participant) to whom the selection committee may reach out for additional information, should it be necessary.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. 

The YAA Board of Governors awards up to 10 Excellence Awards each year. Nominations will be judged against the broad goals of the General Judging Criteria below and recognized for excellence against one or more of the Specific Judging Criteria. 

Winning organizations are expected to have representation at the YAA Assembly/Yale Alumni Fund Convocation in November to receive the award.

General Judging Criteria

• Supports the mission of Yale and the Yale Alumni Association
• Reflects the values of the Yale Alumni Association
• Advances the goals and objectives of organization’s strategic plan (if applicable)
• Serves as a role model for other Yale alumni groups
• Demonstrates wise management of available resources
• Reflects thoughtful planning and effective implementation
• Engages leaders and  volunteers through a consultative and broad-based approach
• Employs clear, effective, and well-targeted communications
• Addresses the needs of the target audience and exceeds expectations
• Enhances the reputation of Yale and the Yale Alumni Association

Nomination-Specific Judging Criteria 

• Demonstrates creativity and/or innovation
  • In programming
  • Use of technology
  • Alumni engagement
  • Marketing/branding efforts
• Fosters connections between alumni groups
• Engages young alumni
• Engages international alumni
• Encourages belonging and inclusive alumni community
• Supports career advancement and networking
• Promotes lifelong learning
• Champions community service
• Sustains engagement over multiple years
   

All past recipients of the YAA Excellence Awards can be found on our Award Recipient page and can be searched by name and year.