Community Foundation Invites Public to Nominate Local Community Service Leaders
Nominations for the 2026 Wertheimer Fellow for Excellence in Volunteerism and Youth in Action Awards will be accepted May 1 through May 31
The Community Foundation of Frederick County is inviting the community to help shine a light on those who quietly make a difference.
Throughout the month of May, nominations will be accepted for the 2026 Wertheimer Fellow for Excellence in Volunteerism and the Youth in Action Awards—honoring individuals whose time, talent, and dedication strengthen Frederick County in meaningful ways.
These awards recognize the people who often work behind the scenes—those who give generously of themselves without seeking recognition, but whose impact is deeply felt across our community.
“Having seen this work up close for so many years, I can say with certainty that our community is shaped in powerful ways by people who simply choose to give of themselves,” said Elizabeth Y. “Betsy” Day, Community Foundation President and CEO. “These awards celebrate those individuals who are quietly moving Frederick County forward, whose generosity of time and spirit often goes unseen, but never unfelt—and remind us all of what’s possible when care is put into action.”
The nomination form, as well as information about the awards and past awardees, is available at FrederickCountyGives.org/WertheimerAwards. Nominations must be submitted online, and individuals only need to be nominated once to be considered.
Now in its 24th year, the Wertheimer Fellow for Excellence in Volunteerism Award honors the legacy of the late Janis Miller Wertheimer, a respected businesswoman and dedicated volunteer. Made possible through The Janis Miller Wertheimer Endowment Fund, the award recognizes an adult volunteer (age 18-plus) whose service has made a lasting impact.
The Youth in Action Award, now in its 15th year, celebrates Frederick County students in grades 9–12 who are leading the way through service and making a difference in extraordinary ways.
Award recipients will be honored at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community on November 19. Wertheimer Fellows are awarded $25,000 to establish or grow a permanent fund with the Community Foundation to support the nonprofit or causes they care about, while the Youth in Action honoree will direct a $2,000 grant to a local nonprofit of their choice.
If you know someone whose quiet commitment is helping move our community forward, now is the time to recognize them.
