Each year, through its Pilot’s Choice Awards, the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation recognizes a select group of aviation nonprofit organizations that are actively promoting growth in aviation or using aviation to aid in humanitarian causes.
For this year’s awards, nominations must be submitted by midnight (PST) Jan. 31, while applications will be accepted until Feb. 3 midnight PST.
Anyone can nominate an organization, but those organizations that are nominated will need to submit an application, if they have not yet done so, foundation officials explain. Nomination and grant application forms are available at LightspeedAviationFoundation.org.
A group of finalists will be selected from the applicant pool for the opportunity to compete for one of the 10Pilot’s Choice Awards grants.
“Mounting a successful voting campaign for the Pilot’s Choice Awards requires creativity, tenacity, and teamwork across the organization’s member base,” said Allan Schrader, Lightspeed Aviation Foundation founder and president. “Finalists are rewarded with re-energized boards, heightened member engagement, and an elevated awareness of their mission well beyond their own constituents.”
To help boost these effects, the foundation is ready to provide marketing support and heightened exposure, he noted.
“During the four years we have been doing this, we have been heartened to see how the process of competing for the Pilot’s Choice Awards gives the organizations a meaningful platform to tell their story,” said Schrader. “It is our desire not only to reward the fine work these groups are doing through the grants themselves, but to lift them up to gain more exposure for their cause.”
Those who nominate a charity and “Like” the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation on Facebook will be entered to win a pair of Lightspeed Aviator sunglasses valued at $350. The winner of the sunglasses will be contacted via email and announced on the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Facebook page in February.