Publications: Fundraising - Individual Fundraising Publications

Entries should be a single print publication of any size or format produced for an internal or external audience in support of fundraising. Examples include flyers, booklets or brochures for stewardship, naming opportunities, solicitation, campaigns, donor recognition and other fundraising-related purposes.

Required: Attach one complete version of the publication (PDF).

Please note: We no longer require or accept mailed materials for any Circle of Excellence categories. For your convenience, all nomination materials are submitted online only.

Judging Criteria:

  • Understanding of target audience(s)
  • Creativity
  • Content, writing and editing
  • Design
  • Effective use of budget and available resources
  • Impact and results

Tip: Entries in Publications categories are judged on a variety of criteria, including content, effectiveness, and use of resources. While design is also a consideration, publications entered in the Design categories are evaluated primarily on the basis of design, graphics and layout. You may enter the same publication in as many categories for which it meets eligibility requirements.

Starting in 2022, we are consolidating and simplifying how you enter nominations for institutional awards.

We no longer will require separate nominations for District awards, or for Platinum awards. By entering the Circle of Excellence Awards, your nominations will automatically be considered for District or Regional recognition, in addition to global recognition. 

Also, look for updates to many of the categories, including some categories that will be broken down by staff size. The CASE website will reflect the many changes by November 2021.

Unless otherwise noted, 2025 Circle of Excellence entries should be original work that was produced or completed between January 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024.

Jan. 8, 2025: Nominations open

Jan. 29, 2025: Super-saver rate deadline (11:59 p.m. eastern time zone)

Feb. 12, 2025: Early-bird rate deadline (11:59 p.m. eastern time zone)

March 5, 2025: Regular rate deadline (11:59 p.m. eastern time zone)

March 12, 2025: Last-chance rate deadline (at 11:59 p.m. eastern time zone)

March 12, 2025: Nominations close

Mid-June 2025: Global winners announced

Late 2025 through early 2026: Regional and district winners announced. (Check with your CASE region or district for details.)

Who can enter

  • Any CASE member institution is welcome to submit entries to the Circle of Excellence Awards.
  • Nominators must be employed at and on the CASE roster at a CASE member institution.
  • External vendors and third parties, including CASE Educational Partners, may not submit entries on behalf of institutions with which they have worked.

Entry criteria

  • Unless otherwise noted, for the 2025 Circle of Excellence Awards, entries should be original work that was produced or completed between January 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024. In the case of publications such as magazines, the date on the cover/masthead will be used to determine eligibility.
  • Although use of external vendors, consultants and freelancers is allowed, the work should primarily be designed/ conceptualized and overseen by staff at a CASE member institutions. 

Entry fees and payment

  • All fees must be paid online via credit card. CASE does not accept purchase orders or payment via check.
  • Entries that have not been paid by the close the nomination period will not be judged.
  • Once an entry has been submitted and paid, no refunds will be issued.

Permissions

By entering the Circle of Excellence, the nominator and affiliated institution give CASE permission to:

  • Share relevant contact information with volunteer judges.
  • Use any of the materials submitted with the nomination for promotional purposes, including the CASE website, print and promotional publications, and electronic communications.

Entry and category rules

  • Once an entry has been submitted and paid, it is considered final.
  • The same entry may be submitted to any categories for which it meets the criteria.
  • Institutions may submit more than one entry to the same category.
  • Entries and related materials become the property of CASE and will not be returned.
  • CASE and the lead judges reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not meet entry criteria.
  • CASE and the lead judges reserve the right to move an entry into a more appropriate category, without notice to the nominator.

 

CASE welcomes entries in other languages besides English in this category. While entry questions must be completed in English to facilitate judging, entry materials written in languages other than English are eligible for recognition as long as such materials are accompanied by brief explanations written in English.

You will be able to attach materials and include explanations in English during the online entry process.

You can reach the CASE Awards team at awards@case.org.

Please include in your correspondence the name of the award (such as Circle of Excellence), and category name, if applicable.