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2026 First Horizon Bank - Hall of Excellence Award
All applications due by July 10th
The Hall of Excellence Award, sponsored by First Horizon Bank, recognizes visionary leaders whose sustained contributions have shaped and strengthened the nonprofit sector in Middle Tennessee. This award celebrates individuals whose careers reflect exceptional leadership, enduring impact, and an unwavering commitment to advancing mission-driven work. Hall of Excellence inductees leave a lasting legacy—transforming organizations, influencing systems, and inspiring the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
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Finalists Awards:
The category recipient will receive $5,000, which will be gifted to the organization.
$1,000 will be presented to each of the two finalists. This amount will be gifted to the organization.
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Requirements for this Award:
- Sustained Leadership Excellence
A distinguished career (typically 15+ years) in the nonprofit sector
Proven executive or senior leadership with significant organizational influence
- Transformational Impact
Measurable, long-term impact on organizations, communities, or systems
Leadership that has driven innovation, growth, or meaningful change
- Sector Advancement
Contributions that elevate the broader nonprofit ecosystem (e.g., collaboration, advocacy, mentorship, capacity building)
A recognized leader among peers across Middle Tennessee
- Legacy & Influence
A track record of developing future leaders and strengthening governance or leadership pipelines
Enduring contributions that will continue to benefit the sector beyond their tenure
- Alignment with CNE Values
Demonstrates integrity, collaboration, equity, and a deep commitment to community impact
- Current and former nonprofit executives, founders, or sector leaders are eligible
- Candidates may be active or retired
- Posthumous nominations may be considered in exceptional cases
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Previous Recipients and Finalists:
Previous recipients of this award are not eligible to reapply for three years. (For example, if the agency was a recipient in 2022, the agency is eligible to re-apply in 2026.)
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Please note: This application is a step-by-step process and requires you to pull together much information. You will want to set aside at least 30 minutes to complete it.
Information will not be saved until the application has been fully submitted.
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Nominator Information
(Required.)
Nominator Organization Name
Nominator First Name
Nominator Last Name
Title
Email
Phone Number
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Name of Nominee Individual
(Required.)
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Nominee Individual's Organization Information
(Required.)
Street
City
State
Zip Code
Phone Number
Website Address
Giving Matters Site Address
Year Organization Founded
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Nominee Individual's Organization Mission Statement
(Required.)
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Nominee Individual's Organization Executive Director Information
(Required.)
First Name
Last Name
Phone Number
Email
Please attach a high-resolution logo for the nominee individual's organization (PNG and JPEG files are highly preferred, must be smaller than 16 MB).
Choose File
No file chosen
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Please attach a high-resolution headshot for the nominee (PNG and JPEG files are highly preferred, must be smaller than 16 MB).
(Required.)
Choose File
No file chosen
Nominee Individual's Organization Social Media Handles (example: @CNEMTNashville)
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
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Provide an overview of the nominee’s nonprofit leadership career, including key roles, accomplishments, and years of service within the nonprofit sector. Please highlight leadership positions and major organizational or community contributions (limit response to 1,000 words).
(Required.)
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Describe the nominee’s most significant and lasting impact on nonprofit organizations, communities, or systems in Middle Tennessee. Include examples of transformational leadership, innovation, growth, advocacy, or sector-wide influence (limit response to 1,000 words).
(Required.)
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How has the nominee contributed to strengthening the broader nonprofit sector beyond their own organization? Examples may include mentorship, collaboration, board or civic leadership, policy advocacy, capacity building, coalition work, or developing future leaders (limit response to 1,000 words).
(Required.)
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Describe the legacy the nominee has created and why their contributions merit induction into the Hall of Excellence. Consider the nominee’s long-term influence, reputation among peers, enduring impact, and commitment to mission-driven leadership (limit response to 1,000 words).
(Required.)
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In applying for the Salute to Excellence Awards, I have carefully read the requirements for submitting the nomination. I understand that: 1) This entry will be reviewed by the award panelists to ensure all requirements are met, 2) A panel of independent judges will evaluate entries and choose the finalists and a recipient, 3) We may be asked to provide additional information and may be visited by representatives of the judging panel (via Zoom), 4) Any submissions and attachments become the property of CNEMT and may be publicized as a part of the Salute to Excellence Awards promotions.
(Required.)
Yes
No
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I acknowledge the nominee organization is a current CNEMT Member as of May 27, 2026, and has an active and current Giving Matters profile.
(Required.)
Yes
No
