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Entries should be a single article or collection of no more than three articles on any single subject published in an institutional periodical, typically a magazine or newsletter. The article(s) must have been published between June 30, 2019 and Aug. 20, 2020. Articles by freelance, staff, and non-staff writers may be submitted. Speeches or speech summaries, question-and-answer stories, and materials reprinted from other sources are not eligible.

Judging criteria

• Superior writing style
• Organization
• Creativity
• Careful editing

See recent winners and finalists in this category.

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This category is for exemplary programming, projects and initiatives in advancement services that can serve as models for other institutions. Entries should provide a successful solution to a challenge, reflect strategic use of resources, achieve significant results, and/or utilize innovative practices. Entries can be in any area of advancement services, including but not limited to information systems, gift reporting, stewardship and prospect research.

Judging criteria

• Ability to demonstrate significant results
• Strategic use of resources
• Creativity/innovation

See recent winners and finalists in this category.

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This category is for exemplary programming, projects and initiatives in alumni relations that can serve as models for other institutions. Entries should provide a successful solution to a challenge, reflect strategic use of resources, achieve significant results, and/or demonstrate innovative practices. Examples may include a new twist to existing alumni programming; engaging emerging constituents with a goal toward improving diversity and inclusion; or innovative ways to engage or re-engage alumni.

Judging criteria

• Ability to demonstrate significant results
• Audience engagement
• Strategic use of resources
• Creativity/innovation

See recent winners and finalists in this category.

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This category is for programming, projects and initiatives in communications and marketing that can serve as a model for other institutions. Entries should provide a successful solution to overcoming challenges, reflect strategic use of resources, achieve significant results, and/or demonstrate innovative practices. Entries can address projects in a variety of areas, including but not limited to public relations, media relations, internal communications, crisis communications, branding, and integrated marketing.

Judging criteria

• Ability to demonstrate significant results
• Audience engagement
• Strategic use of resources
• Creativity/innovation

See recent winners and finalists in this category.

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This category recognizes new or established programming, projects and initiatives that employ digital communications, including but not limited to electronic communication, social media, and online content such as marketing communication. Initiatives may be ongoing or new, but must have been in place long enough to have produced well-documented results.

Judging criteria

• Ability to demonstrate significant results
• Audience engagement
• Strategic use of resources
• Creativity/innovation

See recent winners and finalists in this category.

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This category is for programming, projects and initiatives that engage diverse constituents and those that contribute to an organizational climate committed to diversity. Entries also can be initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in educational advancement hiring and retention, such as student programming aimed at developing a diverse pipeline for the profession. 

Judging criteria

• Ability to demonstrate significant results
• Audience engagement
• Strategic use of resources
• Creativity/innovation

See recent winners and finalists in this category.

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This category is for exemplary programming, projects and initiatives in fundraising that can serve as a model for other institutions. Entries should provide a successful solution to overcoming a challenge, reflect strategic use of resources, achieve significant results and/or demonstrate innovative practices. Initiatives may be ongoing or new, but must have been in place long enough to have produced well-documented results.

Judging criteria

• Ability to demonstrate significant results
• Audience engagement
• Strategic use of resources
• Creativity/innovation

See recent winners and finalists in this category.

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This category is for a collection of photographs (color or black and white) used for a related purpose, such as to illustrate a magazine story, for a promotional publication or website, or for an advertising campaign. Entries can be produced by one or more staff or freelance photographers for use in an institutional publication, or for some other institutional purpose. One entry consists of a portfolio of 5-10 related photographs. Unpublished photos are not eligible.

Judging criteria

• Composition
• Technical quality
• Impact
• How well the photographs illustrate/enhance the subject

See recent winners and finalists in this category.

Enter locally. Compete globally.

Platinum Awards judging takes place in two parts--like a tournament. CASE members enter their best work through their region (Asia-Pacific, Europe or Latin America), or through one of the eight US/Canada districts.

Entries are judged first at the district or regional level to determine Platinum Award Finalists. Up to two Finalists in each category from each region and district then automatically advance to be judged by a global panel in a second round to determine which entries deserve the coveted Platinum Award. Only one Platinum Award is granted in each category.

Read more about Platinum Awards, and see recent winners and finalists.

Platinum Award entries are submitted through the CASE member institution's region (Asia-Pacific, Europe or Latin-America) or through one of the eight North America districts.

Platinum Awards will be open for nominations Aug. 5, 2020 through Oct. 21, 2020.

Entries should be for work completed between June 30, 2019 and Aug. 5, 2020.
 

All Platinum Award entries and payments are submitted online.

Entries must be submitted by an employee at a CASE member institution. To check your institution's membership status or to see if you are on the roster, visit www.case.org/join.

Please prepare the following before beginning your online entry:

• Provide a concise summary of your entry. If your entry is selected for an award, your summary will be used in award-related materials. Please limit response to 250 words.
• List your target audience(s) and how you addressed their needs, if applicable.
• Why do you think your entry is distinctive? For example: unusual circumstances, resource limitations, and exceptional achievements or results. Please limit response to 500 words.
• Describe your goals/objectives and how they were measured/met.
• Total budget for project/programming/initiative. If applicable, include any expenses related to the use of vendors/consultants, and describe the work they did.

Find inspiration and look at these previous winners and finalists to help improve your entry.

Who can enter

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

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.
• Unless otherwise noted, the same entry may be submitted to any categories for which it meets the criteria.
• Unless otherwise noted, 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 judge coordinators reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not meet entry criteria.
• CASE and the judge coordinators reserve the right to move an entry into a more appropriate category, without notice to the nominator.

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.