News - Learn about Important Updates for GVRP

Military Volunteer Award for Veterans & Families | GVRP
Introducing the Military Community Volunteer Impact Award: Honoring Service Beyond Service
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program™ is proud to introduce the Military Community Volunteer Impact Award, inspired in part by America’s 250th anniversary, GVRP’s participation in the SBA Freedom 250 Small... Read more...
Pvsa alternatives
PVSA Alternatives: Volunteer Awards You Can Earn While the President’s Volunteer Service Award Is Paused
Is the PVSA still paused? Read the August 2026 update and explore volunteer awards, student recognition, badges, graduation cords, and more. Read more...
Dana lupus button
Service Beyond Diagnosis: Dana Taylor Inspires New Lupus Recognition
Dana Taylor’s advocacy inspired GVRP’s earned Lupus Volunteer Achievement Badge and a special awareness pinback button she designed for anyone who wants to support the lupus community. Read more...
What to Put in a Volunteer Recognition Kit: Meaningful Ideas for Students, Teams, and Community Leaders
A volunteer recognition kit is a thoughtful way to celebrate service with meaningful items such as certificates, medals, badges, journals, buttons, award options, and leadership resources. Read more...
How to nominate a volunteer for an award
How to Nominate a Volunteer for an Award: Tips, Examples, and What to Include
A strong volunteer award nomination explains who the volunteer is, what they did, who they helped, and why their service deserves recognition. Read more...
2026 membership
Which GVRP Recognition Option Is Right for You?
Not sure which volunteer recognition option is right for you? Compare GVRP membership, Global Volunteer Awards, student recognition, badges, Leadership Academy courses, and Community Champion Spotlight opportunities. Read more...
Gvrp impact
Can a For-Profit Business Have a Social Mission? How GVRP Balances Purpose and Sustainability
Can a for-profit business genuinely serve a social mission? Learn why the Global Volunteer Recognition Program™ operates as a mission-driven LLC and how its sustainable business model supports volunteer awards,... Read more...
Citizenship Award
Introducing the Global Student Citizenship & Service Award
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program™ is proud to introduce the Global Student Citizenship & Service Award, a reviewed recognition for students who demonstrate character, leadership, citizenship, service, and positive community... Read more...
Trusted volunteer organization
How to Choose a Trusted Volunteer Recognition Program
Choosing a volunteer recognition program should be about more than receiving an award. Look for transparency, clear requirements, service tracking, reviews, credibility, and meaningful support for volunteers. Read more...
Volunteer portfolio
How to Create a Volunteer Portfolio for Awards, Scholarships, and Leadership Opportunities
A volunteer portfolio helps you organize service hours, project details, reflections, awards, certificates, photos, and impact stories so your volunteer work is ready for scholarships, resumes, awards, and leadership opportunities. Read more...
App vs journal
Volunteer Hour Log Book vs. Volunteer Tracking App: Which One Should You Use?
A volunteer hour log book and a volunteer tracking app can both help you document service, prepare for awards, and keep a record of your impact. The best option depends... Read more...
Volunteer tracking app
How to Track Volunteer Hours for Awards, Scholarships, and Recognition
Tracking volunteer hours helps students, adults, families, and community leaders document service, qualify for recognition, and tell the story of their impact. Read more...
Gray community service graduation cord recognizing student volunteer hours and service impact
Community Service Graduation Cord Requirements: How Many Volunteer Hours Do Students Need?
Community service graduation cord requirements vary by school and program, but students can prepare by tracking volunteer hours, saving proof of service, and recognizing their impact before graduation. Read more...
Community Champion Spotlight nominations
2026 Community Champion Spotlight Nominees
The Community Champion Spotlight celebrates individuals making a positive difference through service, leadership, and community impact. Read more...
2025 gala group photo
2026 GVRP Gala Awardees | Global Volunteer Recognition Program
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program proudly recognized 47 awards and honorees at the 2026 GVRP Gala. See the full list of award recipients and Community Champion Spotlight nominees celebrated for... Read more...
Gray graduation cord honoring student volunteer service and community impact
Community Service Graduation Cords: Who Qualifies and How Students Can Be Recognized
Community service graduation cords recognize students who have volunteered, served their communities, and demonstrated leadership before graduation. Read more...
Student receiving a citizenship award for leadership, kindness, service, and civic responsibility
What Is a Citizenship Award in School? Meaning, Examples, and Student Recognition Ideas
A citizenship award recognizes students who demonstrate kindness, responsibility, leadership, respect, service, and positive contributions to their school or community. Read more...
Volunteer awards
Volunteer Award Ideas for Students, Pageant Queens, and Community Leaders
Volunteer awards can help students, pageant queens, and community leaders celebrate service, build resumes, strengthen platforms, and stay motivated to keep making an impact. Read more...
Volunteer from home
Remote Volunteer Opportunities You Can Do From Home
Remote volunteering is a flexible way to make an impact from home. Learn what types of online volunteer projects count, how to track your hours, and how to get recognized... Read more...
Volunteer awards
How to Get Recognized for Volunteer Hours in 2026
Volunteering takes time, heart, energy, and commitment. Whether you volunteer once a month, every week, remotely, in person, with a school, through a pageant platform, with a nonprofit, or independently,... Read more...
Why Volunteer Recognition Matters More Than Ever
Discover why volunteer recognition is essential for leadership, community impact, volunteer retention, and creating a culture of service. Read more...
25 Volunteer Recognition Ideas to Celebrate Community Service
Volunteers strengthen communities through service, compassion, and leadership. Discover 25 meaningful ways to recognize volunteers, celebrate their impact, and inspire others to get involved in community service. Read more...
Tracy Wilson Honored with Daily Point of Light Award
Global Volunteer Recognition Program celebrates Tracy Wilson, honored with the Daily Point of Light Award. Nominated by GVRP and selected from thousands, Tracy’s volunteer leadership supports youth civic engagement. Read more...
Volunteer hour tracking app
Introducing the GVRP Volunteer Companion App: A Smarter Way to Track Volunteer Hours, Earn Recognition, and Celebrate Impact
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program is excited to launch the GVRP Volunteer Companion App, a powerful volunteer hour tracker designed to help users log service hours, organize volunteer records, download... Read more...
Volunteer Achievement Badges
How Volunteer Achievement Badges Work
How Volunteer Achievement Badges Work. They are earned recognition awards that celebrate real service, real impact, and real commitment. Learn how the badge system works, how to earn each badge,... Read more...
Arav Chand: Daily Point of Light Honoree
Global Volunteer Recognition Program celebrates member Arav Chand, honored with the Daily Point of Light Award. Nominated by GVRP and selected from thousands, Arav is recognized for his work fighting food waste and supporting his community. Read more...
Aric Nagra Earns American Citizenship Award
Fourteen-year-old Aric Nagra receives the American Citizenship Award from the Global Volunteer Recognition Program for his leadership in inclusive sports, environmental sustainability, and youth community service through Beyond Boundaries Soccer. Read more...
Dylan Nagra Receives American Citizenship Award
Dylan Nagra, 15-year-old author, athlete and environmental leader, earns the American Citizenship Award from the Global Volunteer Recognition Program for his inclusive sports nonprofit, climate advocacy, and community service. Read more...
Mick Nagra Receives American Citizenship Award
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program honors Mick Nagra, a 15-year-old innovator, author, and AI health pioneer, for his achievements in technology, sustainability, and service. Read more...
Presidents Volunteer Service Award Paused
Presidents Volunteer Service Award Is Temporarily Paused
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is temporarily paused by AmeriCorps, but there's hope it will return stronger. Learn how volunteers can stay engaged and how the Global Volunteer Recognition Program... Read more...
Jeevan Atwal – Recipient of the American Citizenship Award
Jeevan Atwal, youth leader, author, TEDx speaker, and World Peace Ambassador, has earned the American Citizenship Award from the Global Volunteer Recognition Program for his leadership in music education, mental health advocacy, and environmental sustainability. Read more...
Laurel Barrett Nominated for Mayor’s Young Leader Awards
Learn about Laurel Barrett’s nomination for the Mayor’s Young Leader Awards, recognizing her leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to the Colorado Springs community. Read more...
Sunny Tian Honored with Daily Point of Light Award
Global Volunteer Recognition Program proudly celebrates member Sunny Tian, honored with the Daily Point of Light Award.  Read more...
Gregory Sachan Earns Daily Point of Light Award
Gregory Sachan - Discover how healthcare volunteer Gregory Sachan earned the Daily Point of Light Award for supporting patients and providers across North Carolina. Read more...
Where Did All the Volunteer Awards Go? We're Here to Change That
With national recognition programs like the President’s Volunteer Service Award and Jefferson Awards shutting down or pausing, volunteers are left unseen. Read more...
Global Volunteer Recognition Program FAQ Colorful illustration of hands reaching towards a globe with hearts, symbolizing global volunteerism and compassion.
What Is the Global Volunteer Recognition Program? Membership, Awards and Volunteer Recognition Guide
Learn everything about the Global Volunteer Recognition Program, including how to join, participate in projects, log your hours, earn recognition, and grow through our Leadership Academy. Read more...
Worldwide Community for Volunteers to Make a Difference
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program is a globally recognized initiative that celebrates volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. Join our inclusive volunteer community and grow your impact today. Read more...
GVRP Named Finalist at 2025 PRISM Awards
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program was honored as one of nine finalists for Social Impact Startup of the Year at the 2025 PRISM Awards. Discover why this legacy project is creating a global movement that celebrates and empowers volunteers worldwide. Read more...
Yasmin Atwal – Recipient of the American Citizenship Award
Yasmin Atwal, award-winning equestrian, author, and youth sustainability advocate, has received the American Citizenship Award from the Global Volunteer Recognition Program for her dedication to service, mentorship, and advocacy for animals and the environment. Read more...
Global Volunteer Award
Global Volunteer Awards™: A New Way to Celebrate Service
Celebrate your volunteer service with the new Global Volunteer Awards. Tiered recognition, themed challenges, and optional physical awards. Read more...
Dylan Lipset Padilla – Recipient of the American Citizenship Award
Florida Atlantic University High School student Dylan Lipset Padilla earns the American Citizenship Award from the Global Volunteer Recognition Program for his outstanding academic excellence and dedication to over 600 hours of volunteer service. Read more...
Honoring Savanna Seeling – Recipient of the American Citizenship Award
Savanna Seeling, an incoming Michigan State University student, receives the American Citizenship Award from the Global Volunteer Recognition Program for her exceptional dedication to education, senior support, and international community service. Read more...
Sofia Santiago – Recipient of the American Citizenship Award
Sofía Santiago, a Florida high school freshman, has earned the American Citizenship Award through the Global Volunteer Recognition Program for her outstanding contributions to teen mental health, literacy, and community service. Read more...
American Citizenship Award
American Citizenship Award: Updates and Replacement
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program is now issuing the American Citizenship Award to eligible members who demonstrate leadership and civic responsibility. Learn how to qualify. Read more...
Why You Should Be Visually Sharing Your Volunteer Journey
Discover how visual storytelling and using a single link in bio with tools like Beacons can amplify your volunteer work. Tag Global Volunteer Recognition Program to help your impact go even further. Read more...
Global Volunteer Recognition Program Is Now BBB Accredited
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program is now BBB Accredited and BBB4Good Verified, enhancing trust and value in volunteer recognition. Read more...
Hunter Churchill Honored with Daily Point of Light Award
Discover how Hunter Churchill champions inclusion through sports and earned the Daily Point of Light Award at just 17. Read more...
Tiffany Wells Receives Daily Point of Light Award
Celebrate Tiffany Wells, honored with the Daily Point of Light Award for her dedication to veterans and community service. Read more...
Cathy Howell: Daily Point of Light Award Recipient
Cathy Howell honored with the Daily Point of Light Award for her remarkable contributions supporting military families through volunteer work. Read more...
Chelsea Roberts Wins Daily Point of Light Award for Advocacy
Celebrate Chelsea Roberts, honored with the Daily Point of Light Award for her advocacy and mental health awareness efforts. Read more...