The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation is now accepting entries for the 2026 Celebration of Service to America Awards.
The awards honor the role local radio and TV stations play in serving communities across the country. Last year’s winners included 830 WCCO(AM) in the Twin Cities, 98.7 WYCT(FM) in Pensacola, Fla., 570 WWNC(AM) in Asheville, N.C., 1090 WBAL(AM) in Baltimore and the Beasley Media Group.
All stations and broadcast groups are encouraged to submit their most impactful community service campaigns that took place last year. The entry window will close on March 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
This year, the foundation is introducing an Original Content Podcast category to recognize stations that are offering content to their local areas and beyond via a podcast app or station website, according to a release.
Additionally, the First Informers Award will recognize one radio and one television station as exemplary sources of immediate information during emergencies, crises or natural disasters.
“No other media platform matches the power of local television and radio to reach people in real time where they live and work,” NAB Leadership Foundation President Michelle Duke said in the release.
Winners will be notified in early April, and awards will be presented at the Celebration of Service to America Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on June 9. The foundation said that members of Congress and other policymakers are expected to attend.
The Celebration of Service to America Awards is presented by Bonneville International and Hearst Television.
The NAB Leadership Foundation was established as a nonprofit entity by the National Association of Broadcasters to dedicate resources to developing programs that serve broadcast professionals.
