Step Up Savannah, a nonprofit focused on promoting economic opportunity and financial security for underserved residents in Chatham County, Ga., is now accepting nominations for the organization’s Creating Opportunity Awards.

Step Up Savannah’s Creating Opportunity Awards are given each year at the organization’s annual meeting to community champions whose work embodies Step Up’s ultimate vision:

We believe Savannah is a community where all people have hope and opportunity, where we challenge injustice, where all community members Step Up to reduce poverty.

Creating Opportunity Awards will be given in the following categories:

Outstanding Business Champion - this award is for a business or organization that has worked creatively to increase opportunity for Savannah/Chatham County residents.

Outstanding Advocacy - this award is for any direct service provider in our community who has gone above and beyond in offering assistance and services to residents in need. 

Outstanding Neighborhood Leader - this award is for a grassroots or neighborhood-based leader who has worked to create positive change in his/her community.

Step Up Savannah’s 2018 award winners include former Neighborhood Leadership Academy graduate and tireless community service provider, Miriam Munn, for Outstanding Neighborhood Leader award; Richard Reeve with Consumer Credit Counseling Services for Outstanding Advocacy Award for his work with thousands of Savannahians providing unbiased financial information in a way that people understand; and, South State Bank for Outstanding Business Champion for recognizing and rewarding the positive financial behavior of students by depositing $25 into accounts opened during the City of Savannah’s 2017 Summer 500 program - and remained opened one year later.

There are three ways to submit an application:

1. By email: [email protected] 

2. By mail: Step Up Savannah, 428 Bull Street, Ste. 208 Savannah, GA 31406

3. Online: stepupsavannah.org/awards/

The submission deadline is September 13, 2019. Applicants can also self-nominate. Winners will be announced at Step Up’s annual meeting on November 1, 2019.