Categories have been grouped by type but submissions do not necessarily have to come from those departments.

Alumni Relations

Category 1: Best Program: Alumni Relations
Category 2: Best Alumni Event

Development

Category 3: Best Program: Development
Category 4: Best Fundraising Case Statement and Campaign Materials

Electronic Media

Category 9: Best Audio, Video or Multi-Media Presentation
Category 10: Best Institutional Homepage on the World Wide Web
Category 11: Best Department or Program Site on the World Wide Web
Category 12: Best E-Innovation in Institutional Advancement

Institutional Relations

Category 5: Best Program: Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications
Category 6: Best Institutional Annual Report

Print Media

Category 13: Best Magazine
Category 14: Best Magazine – under $100,000
Category 15: Best Print Ad or Ad Campaign
Category 16: Best Brochure
Category 17: Best Flyer
Category 18: Best Poster
Category 19: Best Newsletter (print or electronic)
Category 20: Best Newspaper (print or electronic)
Category 21: Best Photograph

Programs

Category 26: Best Community Outreach Program
Category 27: Best Donor or Volunteer Recognition Program
Category 28: Best Special Event
Category 29: Best New Idea: Creativity on a Shoestring
Category 30: Best Program: Independent School or Small Shop

Student Recruitment

Category 7: Best Program: Student Recruitment
Category 8: Best Student Recruitment Viewbook

Writing

Category 22: Best Writing/Article – English Language
Category 23: Best Writing/Article – French Language
Category 24: Best News Release – English
Category 25: Best News Release – French

ALUMNI RELATIONS

1. Best Program: Alumni Relations

A wide variety of programs are eligible for consideration. Please note that this category includes programs that take place over a period of time rather than individual events, which should be entered in Best Special Event or Best Alumni Event Category.

Judges will look for a clear sense of overall goals, evidence of effective planning, innovative ideas, a statement of goals and conclusive evidence of success. Programs may be new or ongoing, but must have been in place long enough to provide ample evidence of results.

Explain how a program supports the institution’s overall Advancement goals. Include a description of planning and execution, and materials used in the program.

Examples: Reunions, homecomings, club or chapter activities, continuing education programs, membership drives, community service projects, career placement programs or overall alumni relations. Send four copies of all materials.

2. Best Alumni Event

This category includes individual alumni events like travel, social activities and receptions. Judges will look for indicators of alumni interest and participation such as attendance and volunteerism, public and community interest, theme, uniqueness and future impact.

Submit a statement of objectives and results, including a description of the planning process, the event itself, the goals of the event and how they were met. Include any printed material designed for the event such as invitations, programs and brochures, along with any media coverage (internal or external) of the event. Send four copies of all materials.

DEVELOPMENT

3. Best Program: Development

A wide variety of programs are eligible for consideration. Please note that this category includes programs that take place over a period of time rather than individual activities.

Judges will look for a clear sense of overall goals, evidence of effective planning, innovative ideas, a statement of goals and conclusive evidence of success. Programs may be new or ongoing, but must have been in place long enough to provide ample evidence of results.

Explain how a program supports the institution’s overall Advancement goals. Include a description of planning and execution and materials used in the program.

Examples: Donor recognition programs, annual fund campaigns, capital campaigns, parents’ programs, planned giving programs, student/faculty/staff solicitations, donor or prospect research activities etc. Send four copies of all materials.

Note: The award for Best Program Prospect Research has been merged with this category.

4. Best Fundraising Case Statement and Campaign Materials

This category recognizes excellence in fundraising case statements and the application of that statement to fundraising materials. The statement and materials are designed to attract support for a major institutional fundraising initiative such as a capital, anniversary or research campaign.

Judges will consider the objectives of your case statement and how well you met them. They will evaluate clarity of fundraising goals, as well as writing, design and photography which combine to capture the unique qualities of your institution. They will also judge the consistency and clarity of application of your case statement to the materials you present. Your institution’s most current case statement and the associated materials are eligible. Send four copies of all materials.

INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS

5. Best Program: Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications

A wide variety of programs are eligible for consideration. Please note that this category includes programs that take place over a period of time rather than individual activities.

Judges will look for a clear sense of overall goals, evidence of effective planning, innovative ideas, a statement of goals and conclusive evidence of success. Programs may be new or ongoing, but must have been in place long enough to provide ample evidence of results.

Explain how a program supports the institution’s overall Advancement goals. Include a description of planning and execution and materials used in the program.

Examples: Community relations programs, communications programs for internal or external audiences, crisis management, government relations, or media relations demonstrating overall excellence or innovation in methods used to obtain coverage in the external media. Send four copies of all materials.

6. Best Institutional Annual Report

This award is based on excellence in concept, graphic design and editorial content with regard to the objective of communicating your institution’s sense of accountability to its community and constituencies. Consideration will be given to the extent to which the unique qualities of your institution have been captured, as well as the stated goals of the report and how well you met them. The most recent annual report published by your institution is eligible for entry. Send four copies of all materials.

STUDENT RECRUITMENT

7. Best Program: Student Recruitment

A wide variety of programs are eligible for consideration. Please note that this category can include programs and any events that are a component of the program.

Judges will look for a clear sense of overall goals, evidence of effective planning, innovative ideas, a statement of goals and conclusive evidence of success. Programs may be new or ongoing, but must have been in place long enough to provide ample evidence of results.

Events will be evaluated based on the relationship between your event and the unique characteristics of your institution, level of personal contact, stated goals and how well they were met.

Explain how a program supports the institution’s overall Advancement goals. Include a description of planning and execution and materials used in the program.

This category recognizes successful marketing strategies and techniques in an ongoing program. Judges will look for an understanding of your institution’s mission, strengths and unique qualities and how well they are communicated to prospective students. Send four copies of all materials.

8. Best Student Recruitment Viewbook

This category recognizes excellence in recruitment viewbooks, the major promotional piece designed to attract new and primarily first-year students. Judges will evaluate content, writing, design and photography which combine to capture the unique qualities of your institution. They will also consider stated goals and how well they were met. Viewbooks designed to attract students to the 2009/2010 academic year are eligible. Send four copies of all materials.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA

9. Best Audio, Video or Multi-Media Presentation

Entries may include audio, video, slide or multi-media presentations and films of no more than 30 minutes in length produced for fundraising, student recruitment, news and information or general promotional purposes, etc. Judges will evaluate objectives, content, script, photography, soundtrack, editing, how well the institution’s mission is communicated, stated goals and how they were met. Submit four copies of each entry. For videos, send in DVD/CD format. Send four copies of all materials.

10. Best Institutional Homepage on the World Wide Web

This category recognizes excellence in the development of institutional homepages on the World Wide Web. Judges will evaluate the overall effectiveness of your institution’s official homepage with regard to institutional identity; availability of appropriate and desirable links; ease of use; consideration of the institution’s audiences; and quality of multi-media presentations (if any) linked to the homepage. Efforts related to innovation and design will also be considered. Please include the goals of the site and how well they have been met. Submit the address of your institution’s official home page. Entries will be judged between March 6 and April 13, 2010.

11. Best Department or Program Site on the World Wide Web

This category recognizes excellence in the development of the World Wide Web for the purposes of Advancement in the any of the CCAE membership constituencies. Judges will evaluate the overall effectiveness of departmental or program web sites in communicating information or a message; ease of use; availability of appropriate links; accessibility; opportunities for interactive use; quality of multi-media presentations (ifany); and use of innovative technologies. Efforts related to design and institutional identity will also be considered. Include the goals of this web site and how they were met. Submit the address for the site to be entered as well as the address of your institution’s official home page. Entries will be judged between March 6 and April 13, 2010.

12. Best E-Innovation in Institutional Advancement

This category recognizes how Advancement professionals are using technologies to develop innovative programs and practices to build relationships with their institution. Examples include Intranet development, Email campaigns, interactive web services, virtual reunions, photo manipulations, chat rooms and more.

Submit a statement of objectives and results, including access to web sites, any printed support materials and statistical data. Judges will consider creativity, uniqueness, implementation, stated goals and how they were met. Send four copies of all materials.

Note: This category covers all areas of Advancement activity including but not limited to, Government Relations, Development, Alumni Affairs, Public Affairs and Student Recruitment.

PRINT MEDIA

13. Best Magazine

This category includes all general and special interest magazines sent to alumni or other external audiences (e.g., research, fundraising, alumni or university magazines). Must be published more than once a year. Judges will evaluate content, writing, editing, design and photography, as well as the stated goals of the magazine and how they are met. This category is meant for institutions with an operating budget larger than $100,000 for this publication.

Submit at least two issues and send four copies of each issue as well as an annual operating budget which includes all expenses related to staffing, design, printing and freelance photography and writing. Please also indicate all advertising revenues separately. Submissions without budget figures included will not be judged. Send four copies of all materials.

14. Best Magazine – Under $100,000

This category will be further defined into two groups. Like the other Magazine category, this category includes all general and special interest magazines sent to alumni or other external audiences (e.g., research, fundraising, alumni or university magazines). Must be published more than once a year. Judges will evaluate content, writing, editing, design and photography, as well as the stated goals of the magazine and how they are met. This category is meant for institutions with an operating budget for the magazine of less than $100,000.

Submit at least two issues and send four copies of each issue as well as an annual operating budget which includes all expenses related to staffing, design, printing and freelance photography and writing. Please also indicate all advertising revenues separately. Submissions without budget figures included will not be judged. Send four copies of all materials.

Prizes will be awarded in two groups (1) Where the submission is from a medical/doctoral research intensive institution, and (2) Where the submission is from a liberal arts or independent school.

15. Best Print Ad or Ad Campaign

This award is given for advertising achievement and excellence in print (newspapers, magazines or outdoors). Submissions may be a single ad or series of ads promoting a specific event, program or other institutional initiatives such as recruitment, a grand opening, lecture series, or institutional image campaign. Ads must have appeared in the 2009 calendar year. Judges will consider design, creativity, stated goals and how well they were met. Audio-visual ads should be submitted in that category.

Submit finished works, unmounted tearsheets or a copy of the publication(s) in which your ad(s) appeared. Send four copies of all materials.

16. Best Brochure

This category is for any special purpose multi-page publication with saddle-stitched or bound pages. Examples include campaign brochures, recruitment viewbooks or residence guides. Judges will consider the purpose of each entry and its impact based on imaginative writing and design. They will also consider stated goals of each brochure and how well they were met. Please enter fundraising case statements in the case statement category. Send four copies of all materials.

17. Best Flyer

This category is for any special purpose flyer that consists of a single printed sheet folded in any manner, or circulated unfolded, that is designed to convey information in a brief, interesting and effective manner. Examples could include mailing inserts, flyers for notice boards or information “take-aways”. Judges will consider the purpose of each entry and its impact based on imaginative writing and design. They will also consider stated goals of each flyer and how well they were met. Send four copies of all materials.

18. Best Poster

Entries will include single sheet posters produced for any purpose such as student recruitment, institutional identity, events or program advertisement and fundraising or alumni programs. Judges will evaluate entries on the most effective and appropriate use of graphics and text for the intended audience. Please include the goals of the poster and how they were met. Send four copies of all materials.

19. Best Newsletter (print or electronic)

This category recognizes excellence in newsletters published for either internal or external audiences. A newsletter is defined as a multi-page periodical, usually, but not necessarily, 8.5 by 11 inches, printed on paper stock, comprising mainly short news and information articles. It should be published more than once a year and should contain a maximum of 12 pages per language. Judges will evaluate content, writing, design and photography. Include the goals of your newsletter and how they were met. Submit at least two issues, and send four copies of all materials.

20. Best Newspaper (print or electronic)

Entries in this category must be published at least 10 times a year, on newsprint or equivalent stock, and contain a significant proportion of news stories and feature articles, including issues important to your campus community and higher education in general. May be intended for internal or external audiences. (In considering your periodical’s content and policies, you may wish to enter it in the Best Newsletter category instead.) Judges will evaluate content, writing and design. Please include the goals of your newspaper and how they are met. Submit three issues, which need not be consecutive, and send four copies of all materials.

21. Best Photograph

This award recognizes the best original photograph to appear in an institutional publication. Black-and-white or color photography may be entered. Judges will assess composition, technical quality, appropriateness and creativity. Photos must have been shot in 2008 or 2009 and published in 2009 Please include the goals of the photograph and how they were met. Submit four copies of each print and four copies of the publication in which it appeared. Send four copies of all materials.

WRITING

22. Best Writing/Article – English Language

This category recognizes excellence in reporting and writing for articles published in the 2009 calendar year. Articles may be on any topic but must have appeared in institutional magazines, newspapers, newsletters or other publications for internal or external audiences. This category includes feature stories, news, editorials or articles written to persuade or clarify complex issues. Judges will consider writing style, organization and clarity, the complexity of the subject, and the ability of the writer to present the material in a creative and compelling manner.

Submit four copies of tearsheets or the publication in which the article appeared. In the case of a series of stories, submit one story only. Other stories in the series cannot be entered. Send four copies of all materials.

23. Best Writing/Article – French Language

This category recognizes excellence in reporting and writing for articles published in the 2009 calendar year. Articles may be on any topic but must have appeared in institutional magazines, newspapers, newsletters or other publications for internal or external audiences. This category includes feature stories, news, editorials or articles written to persuade or clarify complex issues. Judges will consider writing style, organization and clarity, the complexity of the subject, and the ability of the writer to present the material in a creative and compelling manner.

Submit four copies of tearsheets or the publication in which the article appeared. In the case of a series of stories, submit one story only. Other stories in the series cannot be entered. Send four copies of all materials.

24. Best News Release – English

This category recognizes excellence in news release writing. Entries in this category will be judged on writing style, organization and clarity and the ability of the writer to present the material in a creative and compelling manner. Note: entries will be judged on the quality of the writing, goals and the results. Do not include press clippings or transcripts. In the statement of objectives, briefly summarize the response generated in the print and electronic media.

Submit a single news release or a series of up to three closely related releases as they were produced for distribution. Send four copies of all materials.

25. Best News Release – French

This category recognizes excellence in news release writing. Entries in this category will be judged on writing style, organization and clarity and the ability of the writer to present the material in a creative and compelling manner. Note: entries will be judged on the quality of the writing, goals and the results. Do not include press clippings or transcripts. In the statement of objectives, briefly summarize the response generated in the print and electronic media.

Submit a single news release or a series of up to three closely related releases as they were produced for distribution. Send four copies of all materials.

PROGRAMS

26. Best Community Outreach Program

Expanded from the previous category for Corporate Partnership, this category now covers any program that involves your non-institutional (student, alumni and staff) community in the life and work of your institution – enhancing the town-and-gown relationship. Examples include local fundraising drives, community literacy programs, student/community volunteer interactions. Judges will look for clear objectives, sound planning and execution and a visible positive increase in the relationship between your institution and the community within which it resides. Send four copies of all materials.

27. Best Donor or Volunteer Recognition Program

This category reflects the important role that donors and other volunteers play in the success of Advancement initiatives. How we recognize these members of our community can help foster their future involvement. Donor or volunteer recognition might occur as a result of a fundraising campaign, event, community outreach programs, long-time service or special achievement. Judges will look for clear recognition criteria, innovative ideas, effective planning and execution.

Along with your statement of objectives and results, include a description of the planning and delivery of recognition, any support materials, and the goals of recognition and how they were met. Send four copies of all materials.

28. Best Special Event

Included in this category are individual events such as open houses, convocations, building dedications and fundraising galas aimed at various constituencies. Judges will look for good planning, creativity and successful implementation. Individual alumni events should be entered in the relevant category.

Submit a statement of objectives and results. Include the intended audience, a description of the planning process and the event itself, as well as the goals of your event and how they were met. Include any printed material designed for the event such as invitations, programs and brochures, along with any media coverage (internal or external) of the event. Send four copies of all materials.

29. Best New Idea: Creativity on a Shoestring

A perennial favorite, this category recognizes innovative solutions or new and imaginative ideas that are low cost and make the work of professionals in alumni, development, public affairs or student recruitment offices easier or more effective.

Include evidence of implementation, objectives and results achieved. Fully disclose all related costs, both internal and external, and indicate any savings achieved. Send four copies of all materials.

30. Best Program: Independent School or Small Shop

Does your Advancement office operate with four people or less? Do you feel like you always work on a shoestring? Don’t know where to put all the hats your staff wear? Enter your most effective program without competing against large offices. Programs from small shops in Public Affairs and Communications, Development, Alumni Relations or Recruitment are eligible for this category. Entries will be judged against each other. Send four copies of all materials.