Submit a nomination for Canada’s Volunteer Awards
Government of Canada,
Deadline: April 22, 2026 - June 17, 2026
Nomination information session
English language session on May 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
French language session on May 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
If you are interested in participating, please specify which session you wish to attend in an email to: info-cva-pbc-gd@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
We will provide you with the information on how to participate via Microsoft Teams
Description of the awards
National award
- The Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award
Regional awards
20 regional awards in the following categories:
- Community Leader
- Emerging Leader
- Business Leader
- Social Innovator
Regions
One recipient is awarded in each of the 5 regions:
- Atlantic (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick)
- Quebec
- Ontario
- Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta)
- British Columbia and the North (Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon)
Recognition of award recipients
Canada’s Volunteer Awards recognizes recipients at a national ceremony. Recipients also take part in a session to share best practices in volunteering. All award recipients receive a certificate.
Recipients also choose a registered non-profit organization in Canada to receive a grant:
$10,000 for the national award
$5,000 for the regional awards
Eligibility
Nominees can be:
- individuals or groups
- businesses
- non-profit organizations
- charities
Only 1 nomination will be accepted per nominee. Political and public advocacy work is not eligible.
Individuals or groups
- Must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- Must be 18 years of age and over at the time of the submission of the nomination
- Must have contributed to addressing social challenges in their community
For the emerging Leader category, must be between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of the submission of the nomination
Businesses, non-profit organizations or charities
- Must be registered as a business, non-profit organization or charity in Canada. (Non-profit organizations are incorporated under either federal or provincial non-profit legislation. Registered charities are charitable organizations, public foundations, or private foundations that are created and resident in Canada. They must use their resources for charitable activities and have charitable purposes that benefit communities)
Must have contributed to addressing social challenges in a community in Canada
Consent
The nominator and the nominee must consent to give permission to the Canada’s Volunteer Award program to collect, share and disclose all information related to the nomination with:
- Regional Reviewers
- National Advisory Committee members
- Minister of Jobs and Families
- Letters of support
You will need to submit at least 1 letter of support and no more than 3 with your nomination.
English language session on May 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
French language session on May 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
If you are interested in participating, please specify which session you wish to attend in an email to: info-cva-pbc-gd@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
We will provide you with the information on how to participate via Microsoft Teams
Description of the awards
National award
- The Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award
Regional awards
20 regional awards in the following categories:
- Community Leader
- Emerging Leader
- Business Leader
- Social Innovator
Regions
One recipient is awarded in each of the 5 regions:
- Atlantic (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick)
- Quebec
- Ontario
- Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta)
- British Columbia and the North (Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon)
Recognition of award recipients
Canada’s Volunteer Awards recognizes recipients at a national ceremony. Recipients also take part in a session to share best practices in volunteering. All award recipients receive a certificate.
Recipients also choose a registered non-profit organization in Canada to receive a grant:
$10,000 for the national award
$5,000 for the regional awards
Eligibility
Nominees can be:
- individuals or groups
- businesses
- non-profit organizations
- charities
Only 1 nomination will be accepted per nominee. Political and public advocacy work is not eligible.
Individuals or groups
- Must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- Must be 18 years of age and over at the time of the submission of the nomination
- Must have contributed to addressing social challenges in their community
For the emerging Leader category, must be between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of the submission of the nomination
Businesses, non-profit organizations or charities
- Must be registered as a business, non-profit organization or charity in Canada. (Non-profit organizations are incorporated under either federal or provincial non-profit legislation. Registered charities are charitable organizations, public foundations, or private foundations that are created and resident in Canada. They must use their resources for charitable activities and have charitable purposes that benefit communities)
Must have contributed to addressing social challenges in a community in Canada
Consent
The nominator and the nominee must consent to give permission to the Canada’s Volunteer Award program to collect, share and disclose all information related to the nomination with:
- Regional Reviewers
- National Advisory Committee members
- Minister of Jobs and Families
- Letters of support
You will need to submit at least 1 letter of support and no more than 3 with your nomination.