Poverty Matters Awards 2026
Deadline for nominations 5:00pm CST, Friday, July 24th. If you would like to nominate multiple individuals, please complete each submission separately.
Award Categories:
WISCAP Self Sufficiency Award : In recognition of an individual who, with the aid of their local Community Action Agency, has overcome poverty and achieved self-sufficiency.
Outstanding Friend and Advocate Award - This award was established as a tribute to Jackie Lawrence, former WISCAP Executive Director, in recognition of a person or group who has demonstrated remarkable achievement articulating the needs and concerns of the poor or exemplary leadership advancing the causes and principals of community action and service to low-income families.
Exceptional Community Action Staff Member Award - This award was established as a tribute to Richard Strand, former Executive Director of Southwest CAP and long-time member of the WISCAP Board, in recognition of a Community Action employee who has demonstrated hard work and embodying the spirit of community action in Wisconsin.
Essie Allen Emerging Leader Award- This award recognizes a staff member of a Wisconsin-based Community Action Agency who exemplifies the qualities of the late Ms. Essie Allen. This award will be given to an individual who has demonstrated leadership skills or recently assumed an initial or new leadership role. Consideration for this award should include specific actions by the nominee which reflect leadership attributes or actions that have positively impacted innovation, commitment, inspiration and/or partnership - WISCAP Nomination Process
Gary Goyke Excellence in Advocacy Award – This award will honor and officially recognize an individual for outstanding work in political advocacy at the local, state, or national level which advances the mission of Community Action. This award would be given to a change-maker who helps our work and our world move forward.