The Skidmore Prize

Submission Deadline: September 4, 2008 (Midnight).

What is the Skidmore Prize?
Each year since 2004, several businesses in the Portland area have come together to recognize the efforts of outstanding young adults who devote their work and time to charitable, non-profit organizations that directly benefit the Portland community. Because the financial rewards of working for such organizations are meager, and too often the attitude of the larger community is one of indifference, the Skidmore Prize is also intended to bolster the commitment of these individuals to continue working in the non-profit sector and to encourage others to pursue this line of work. This year award winners will be chosen to receive distinction for their efforts as well as a $4,000 personal grant. Winners will be chosen from the following categories: Animals, The Arts, Community, The Environment, Health, Schools, Social Welfare, and Youth.


The Skidmore Prize strives to represent and celebrate the full spectrum of diversity within the Portland Metro community.


Click here to listen to a recent interview on KBOO Portland community radio about the Skidmore Prize and Give! Guide. Previous winners Robyn Steely of Write Around Portland and Rodney Bender of Growing Gardens talk about the impact of winning the Skidmore Prize.


Award Benefits
Prize winners will be:

  • Awarded a personal $4,000 grant
  • Recognized at an awards luncheon, along with their organization
  • Featured in a story in the Willamette Week regarding their efforts and their organization
  • The winners’ organizations will receive a complimentary space in the 2008 Give! Guide and be able to participate in the 2008 Give! Guide fundraising (set for publication in November 2008)

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a 2008 Skidmore Prize you must:

  • Work for a charitable non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that focuses on the Portland Metro community
  • Work full-time for this organization (minimum of 30 hours per week)
  • Have worked at this organization for at least 1 year
  • Exhibit a long term commitment to working in the non-profit sector
  • Have an annual income of less than $35,000
  • Be 35 years old or younger
  • Be a resident of the Portland Metro area
  • NOT have been a winner of the Skidmore Prize in the past
  • Self-nominations are acceptable
Additionally, ideal candidate for the 2008 Skidmore Prize will:
  • Be an inspiration to others in the charitable, non-profit sector
  • A single organization should put forward no more than one nominee

To Nominate Someone
Fill out this online form. The nominee will be notified via email that they were nominated by you, provided a link to this site, and asked to complete an application.


To Nominate Yourself
Simply follow the process outlined below.


The Process

All nominees must provide completed copies of all application forms by the nomination deadline. The application consists of:

  • A Nominee Application, with essay responses.
  • Two (2) references:
    1. The first reference must be from a supervisor or board member of the nominee’s non-profit organization. (Organization Reference)
    2. The second reference is a personal or professional reference of the nominee’s choice; for example, colleagues, peers in the non-profit sector, community leaders, or clients of the organization. (Personal Reference)
The nominee is responsible for collecting and assembling all application materials. All materials must be complete and should be submitted in a single transmission.
  • After the nomination deadline (September 4th 2008 - Midnight), the selection committee will review completed applications and choose a group of finalists.
  • Finalists will be notified and invited to a personal interview with the selection committee.
  • The selection committee will select and notify the prize winners.

Submission of Nomination Application
Please use the forms provided in this document and fill out each field completely. When completed and signed, all forms must be submitted in a single transmission, via one of the following methods:

  • Email:
    Skidmore_Prize@mointel.com
    (A typed signature will be regarded as legitimate if the form is submitted via email.)

  • Fax:
    503-241-8819
    Attn: Community Involvement Committee
    RE: Skidmore Prize

  • Postal Mail:
    Momentum Market Intelligence
    Attn: Community Involvement Committee
    220 NW 2nd Ave, Suite 600
    Portland, Oregon 97209

The Skidmore Prize strives to represent and celebrate the full spectrum of diversity within the Portland Metro community.


Additional Information
If you have questions regarding the 2008 Skidmore Prize, please contact Kellie Helm at 503-445-4839 or Skidmore_Prize@mointel.com. More information about past winners can be found here.


The fine print: The Skidmore Prize is funded by a grant from Momentum Market Intelligence (MMI), a local firm that performs market research work for Fortune 500 companies. All nominations will be screened by a committee from MMI, which will work with Willamette Week to determine this year's winners. All nomination information is subject to verification. Selection of Skidmore Prize winners is at the sole discretion of Momentum Market Intelligence.


PDF version of this page available here