On October 3-5, 2018 we’ll be hosting the first annual Baltimore Homecoming. Baltimore Homecoming aims to inspire Baltimore alumni – anyone who was born, grew up, lived or worked in Baltimore – to reconnect with the city and join us in building a brighter future. Through the Homecoming program, we’ll introduce our out-of-town guests to the city’s leading innovators, artists, activists and community leaders, inspiring new investments, philanthropy and partnerships. As part of the effort to highlight the great work happening around Baltimore, the inaugural Homecoming Hero Awards will recognize five Baltimore city residents – community and non-profit leaders, activists, artists or other innovators – who have made a significant impact on our city over the past few years.
Here’s how it will work:
NOMINATE: Starting May 15, 2018, you can nominate a Homecoming Hero right here. Any Baltimore City resident is eligible, but we are looking in particular for individuals who have made a significant contribution to the city through their activism, the arts, or community work; through a faith-based organization; or through nonprofit leadership. Nominations will close on July 13. Our Homecoming Host Committee will narrow down the pool of nominations to ten finalists and open it back up for voting. Below you’ll find more details on the eligibility and selection criteria in our FAQs below.
VOTE: Starting July 23, you can vote on your top five Heroes. The voting will be open through August 18. All ten finalists will be invited to participate in the Homecoming and be given an opportunity to share their stories, and the top five winners will receive a cash award of $3,000 each.
TUNE IN:We’ll announce the winners at the Homecoming on October 3-5, 2018. To keep it a surprise, we’ll keep vote tallies secret until the announcement.
FAQs
Who is eligible?
We are looking for community leaders, activists, artists, leaders of small or start-up nonprofit organizations, small business owners, and other innovators. But any resident of Baltimore City 18 years of age or older who has demonstrated commitment to social change and community engagement is eligible.
What are the selection criteria?
Our Host Committee will review nominations and select ten finalists on the basis of three factors, which will be weighted equally:
- Impact: What challenge has the nominee sought to address? What progress have they made? Have they transformed the lives of individuals? Touched the lives of many?
- Inspiration and mobilization: Did the nominee inspire others to take action? Did they work to organize others within their neighborhood or across Baltimore as a whole?
- Creativity: Did the nominee’s work break new ground or create a new model for change?
What is the award?
Winners can choose to receive their $3,000 cash prize an unrestricted individual gift or to donate to a non-profit organization or charity of their choice.
How will winners be selected? What’s the timeline?
We will be accepting public nominations from May 15 – JULY 13TH (EXTENDED). A selection of Baltimore Homecoming’s Host Committee will narrow down the list to the top 10 finalists which will be released on July 18. Public voting to will be live until August 18. All ten finalists will be invited to the Homecoming to share their stories; and the top 5 winners will be announced and awarded $3,000 each at the Baltimore Homecoming on October 4.
Will there be awards for semi-finalists?
All ten finalists will be given a chance to participate and share their story at the Homecoming event October 3-5.
Why can’t I see the voting results?
To save the excitement for the reveal at the Homecoming!