This 815 Day includes a fantastic way to celebrate YOUR community champion: the nomination form for the 2024 Excalibur and Excelsior Awards, found at https://excaliburexcelsior.com/nominate, is now open!  

The Excalibur Award, created and launched by the Rockford Register Star in 1971, honors an individual who exemplifies excellence in community service. It was joined by the Excelsior Award, which honors an organization of the same merit, in 1979. After a brief hiatus, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), in partnership with the Rockford Register Star and the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE), announced an organizational collaboration that facilitated the return of the Excalibur and Excelsior Awards in 2023. 

In addition to the Excalibur and Excelsior Awards, four new awards honoring “Community Champions” from each of our region's four counties (Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago) will expand the celebration. Each recipient will receive a cash prize, which individuals may donate to the charity of their choice and organizations may use to further their mission and support their work. 

Nominations will be accepted via online application between August 15 and October 1. Eligibility, criteria, and selection process details may be found at https://excaliburexcelsior.com/nominate  

Finalists will be honored, and the 2024 recipients will be announced at the 2024 Excalibur and Excelsior Award Ceremony, which will be held on Thursday, December 12th, 2024.  

Find full details about the history of the awards, the nomination and selection process, and the 2024 Award Ceremony at the new website dedicated to these awards: https://excaliburexcelsior.com