The SPN Communication Excellence Awards are designed to recognize the outstanding accomplishments in our Network to communicate and market ideas. 

Strategic marketing and communications are essential to translating policy research into real-world impact. By engaging stakeholders, shaping public opinion, and equipping champions with compelling narratives, we turn ideas into legislative wins and build the Durable Freedom Infrastructure that sustains long-term change. 

Award Categories

The backbone of a great communication strategy is storytelling, innovation, and marketing. The categories for this year’s awards are focused on these three key areas because we know they show significant value to an organization. 

Excellence In Storytelling

Storytelling is the most fundamental element of communication. In marketing, storytelling can inform and persuade. An organization that tells powerful stories will boost its brand, spread the message of policy impact, and change public sentiment. This award recognizes storytelling that truly impacted an organization’s brand image and policy impact.

Innovation in Marketing

New ideas and tactics are at the heart of the best communication and marketing efforts. Organizations that experiment and implement new ways to reach audiences carve out a unique value to that audience.  This award recognizes those in the Network that used a new tactic or idea to promote, reach, or empower an audience. 

Campaign of the Year

A communication and marketing team is most successful when it is able to design, build and implement a messaging campaign that leads to an accomplishment in your organization. This award recognizes those in the Network that created a marketing or communication campaign that led to a policy or organizational win.

Key Dates

  • May 25 – Nominations Open
  • June 5 – Nominations Close at 11:59pm EST
  • June 24 – Finalists are announced, and voting opens to Annual Meeting Registrants
  • July 8 – Voting closes at 11:59pm EST

Nomination Information and Winner Selection Process

Nomination forms will be available on the CEA website beginning May 25th. Affiliates are encouraged to nominate their organization for as many awards as they would like to be considered for. Please only submit one nomination per award category. 

SPN’s panelists will review, discuss, and identify 3-5 finalist selections for each category. 

The Panel:  

Criteria: 

Each category will be judged on the following: 

  • Strategic Thinking: Was the project implemented in a strategic manner that drives the organization and policy goals forward? 
  • Brand Alignment: Does the project build on the brand of the organization and better position it for success? 
  • Impact: Did the project clearly show measurable impact and outcomes? 
  • ROI: Did the project maximize impact based on the investment of the organization? 

Voting: 

Finalists will be announced via email and on spn.org on June 24th. Links to vote will be made available at that time. Voting will be limited to SPN Annua Meeting registrants to ensure votes are not duplicated and that winners are selected by their peers.  

Winners & Presentation: 

Winners will be notified in mid-July and will receive their award and recognition at SPN’s 34th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida on August 24th. 

Past Winners

2025 
Excellence in Storytelling: John Locke Foundation – “A Letter to the King” Mini-Documentary 
Innovation in Marketing:  Grassroot Institute of Hawaii – Ohana Voices: Personalized Advocacy Through AI 
Campaign of the Year: Beacon Center of Tennessee – Tennessee Together for Every Student 

FAQ

Who is eligible to be nominated?

Only SPN affiliates (state-based policy organizations with a 501c3 status) are eligible to be nominated.

How many times can an organization be nominated?

We encourage each organization to only nominate one project per category.

Who in our organization should apply?

While anyone in your organization can fill out the nomination form, we encourage you to thoughtfully select a representative who can give our panel a full picture of the development, execution and impact of your project. 

What if my nomination fits more than one category?

We suggest that you choose the best category for the project you want to nominate.

What projects are eligible for the 2026 Communications Excellence Awards?

Projects and initiatives that took place from June 2025 through June 2026 will be eligible for the 2026 Communications Excellence Awards.

Questions?

Contact Info
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Corey Burres at cburres@spn.org.