This award is presented annually to a community service and/or social justice organization working in the city in which the ESS meets during the particular year each award is given. The 2027 ESS meeting will be held in Philadelphia, PA. To be eligible for consideration, the organization must be working to address a significant social problem, empower marginalized communities, advance community involvement and social-political participation in underrepresented communities, and/or effect positive change in the neighborhood/city/state in which they conduct their work. The organization should be located in the Philadelphia, PA area. This award comes with a $750 stipend and the possibility to engage in a conversation with scholars on a panel during the ESS annual meeting at which the award is given.

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To nominate an organization for this award, please send a letter (or letters) of nomination detailing how the group fulfills the above qualifications to the Committee Chair, James R. Jones, jrj92@newark.rutgers.edu, by October 15. Please include examples of the nominated organization’s work, copies of (or references to) any relevant published materials and/or press coverage and contact information for both nominator and the organization. 

 

​​The 2026 award recipients are FREE DC and EMPOWER DC.