Do you know young volunteer who goes above and beyond to make a difference in Delaware? Nominations are now open for the 2026 Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards!

The State Office of Volunteerism presents the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards each year to recognize youth volunteers for their significant contributions to the state, its citizens, and efforts to improve life in Delaware.

Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards Submission Criteria

Award recipients must demonstrate sustained volunteer commitment to meeting Delaware’s most pressing human and/or environmental community needs. In addition, they should engage in meaningful volunteer service that makes a measurable difference in the community.

Eligibility Guidelines

• Nominee must be under 17 years of age or younger as of January 10th, 2026 the nomination deadline.
• Must be a Delaware resident and volunteer service must have occurred in Delaware.
• Must have volunteered in Delaware during the 2025 calendar year, directly impacting Delawareans or the Delaware environment.
• Individual Nominees must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service and Group/Team Nominees must have completed a minimum of 250 hours during in 2025.
• Nomination Deadline is January 10, 2026

Categories:

• Youth Individual (minimum of 100 volunteer hours)
• Youth Leadership (minimum of 100 volunteer hours)
• Youth Group/Team (two or more with a minimum of 250 volunteer hours)
• Young Environmentalist Stewardship (minimum of 100 volunteer hours)

Ineligible Participants:

• No Self-nominations
• Staff and family members of the State Office of Volunteerism or Commissioners are ineligible.
• Previous honorees must wait three years before being nominated again.
• Volunteer work for religious or partisan political purposes, or service solely benefiting an organization’s own members, are not eligible.
• Nominees cannot receive financial compensation for their volunteer service.

Nominations close January 10, 2026. For additional requirements and to apply, click here.

About Success Won’t Wait

Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait is a not-for-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. Want to learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s literacy projects, donate books, or volunteer your time? Click on the About Us tab above.

Read now, because success won’t wait!