Nominations Open January 2, 2026 to Honor Loudoun County’s Everyday Heroes
LEESBURG, Virginia (January 2026) — Loudoun Cares is proud to announce the launch of nominations for the 2026 Outstanding Volunteer Awards (OVAs), opening January 2, 2026. This annual, countywide celebration honors the extraordinary individuals, teams, and organizations who showed up for Loudoun County throughout 2025, giving their time, talent, and heart to strengthen our community.
The Outstanding Volunteer Awards are the only awards in Loudoun County dedicated exclusively to recognizing volunteers across the full spectrum of nonprofits serving the County. From youth volunteers just beginning their service journeys to lifelong volunteers who have dedicated decades to helping others, the OVAs shine a spotlight on the people whose quiet commitment creates lasting impact.
Loudoun Cares encourages nonprofit leaders, colleagues, neighbors, teachers, community members, and fellow volunteers to submit nominations for those who went above and beyond in 2025. If someone stepped up, lent a hand, led a project, served on a board, or consistently answered the call when help was needed, this is their moment to be recognized.
A Countywide Celebration of Service
The 2026 Outstanding Volunteer Awards will culminate in a spring 2026 awards reception, bringing together nonprofit leaders, volunteers, community partners, and supporters from across Loudoun County to celebrate the nominees and award recipients. Event details, including the venue, date, ticket information, and sponsorship opportunities, will be announced in the coming weeks.
2026 Outstanding Volunteer Award Categories
Adult Categories (Ages 19–60):
- Outstanding Adult Volunteer
- Outstanding Adult Volunteer Team
Senior Categories (Ages 60+):
- Outstanding Senior Volunteer
- Outstanding Senior Volunteer Team
Youth Categories (Ages 18 & Under):
- Outstanding Youth Volunteer Team
- Outstanding Youth Innovator
- Gabriella Miller Outstanding Youth Award
Specialty Categories (No Age Restriction):
- Outstanding Community or Civic Organization
- Outstanding Corporate Volunteer Team
- Outstanding Volunteer Team
- Outstanding Volunteer Project
- Outstanding Project Leader
- Outstanding Veteran Volunteer
- Outstanding Nonprofit Board of Directors
- Judy Hines Service of a Lifetime Award
- Board of Supervisors District Volunteer Awards
Nominate Someone Who Made a Difference
Nominations open January 2, 2026. Loudoun Cares urges the community to think broadly and inclusively when submitting names.
If someone demonstrated the following, they deserve to be nominated:
- Showed unwavering commitment to a cause
- Stepped up during times of increased need
- Inspired others through service
- Strengthened a nonprofit or community initiative
- Quietly made a meaningful difference behind the scenes
Nomination details, deadlines, and submission forms will be available on the Loudoun Cares website beginning January 2, 2026.
About Loudoun Cares
Loudoun Cares is a Leesburg-based nonprofit serving the Loudoun County community for the past 20 years through its information & referral ConnectLine and Online Volunteer Center. The ConnectLine specializes in connecting people in need with resources, information, or referrals to local services and support providers. Loudoun Cares’ Volunteer Center is the county’s online portal connecting volunteers with local nonprofits in need of support. The Center currently has over 340 nonprofits registered and receives between 80-100 new volunteer registrations each month. With a volunteer force of over 16,000 people, Loudoun Cares helps to fill hundreds of volunteer opportunities across the County.
For more information about how to volunteer or to request volunteers, please visit www.loudouncares.org/volunteer/ or call 703-669-2351. If you or someone you know needs help finding resources in the community call 703-669-4636.
