Judging
JUDGING PROCESS
Anthem Award Winners are selected by members of The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences from all of the submissions entered through the Call for Entries. Evaluated against a number of criteria, the work undergoes a rigorous process in order to be selected as an Anthem Winner.
How Work is Judged
Members of the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences independently evaluate the entries submitted during the Call for Entries. Entries are judged on their own merits based on a standard of excellence for each category as determined by the Academy as well as industry leaders from non-profits, foundations and purpose-driven brands.
Each entry is evaluated by multiple Academy Members who provide scores based on the appropriate criteria. The top scoring entries are determined to be Winners. A category may have multiple Winners, or none at all, depending on relevant scoring.
Description of Academy Members
Associate Academy Members are former award recipients and other industry experts. As such, they have demonstrable expertise in the categories they review. In order to be accepted to the Academy, members must first submit applications and be verified as experts and leaders in their peer groups. If accepted, Academy members are then tasked with reviewing a specific set of entries that is germane to their expertise.
Executive Members of The Academy are visionaries, evangelists and luminaries who have catalyzed great achievements in their areas of focus. These experts faithfully represent and provide a voice for purpose & mission-driven work across key sectors within Anthem honored causes: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Education, Arts and Culture, Health, Human & Civil Rights, Humanitarian Action & Services, Responsible Technology and Sustainability, Climate and Environment.
The Academy regularly reviews the work of each Academy Member for fairness and accuracy, and verifies Members’ qualifications and level of expertise for judging.
Disclosure
We understand that conflicts of interest are a potential threat, and we take these conflicts very seriously. All members are barred from judging any entry with which they have a personal or professional affiliation or any other conflict of interest. We do everything in our power to minimize occurrences of conflicts while ensuring that the best work is recognized.
The Anthem Awards does not influence the judges in any way. We select a diverse body of judges who we feel are objective, respected, and knowledgeable in their category. The Winners are entirely in the hands of these Academy Members, who select and vote on the entries through an independent process.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Members of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences evaluate submissions based on the criteria for each category type, which have been developed in collaboration with our Partners as well as industry leaders from non-profits, foundations and purpose-driven brands. The criteria will be applied in relation to the selected cause: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Education, Arts and Culture, Health, Human & Civil Rights, Humanitarian Action & Services, Responsible Technology and Sustainability, Climate and Environment.
- Awareness & Media
- Community Engagement
- Fundraising
- Product, Innovation or Service
- Team & Leadership
AWARENESS & MEDIA
Concept
Determining the quality of a concept considers all elements that go into the creative process and how successfully the original idea is communicated. The overall goal (or goals) should be clearly defined and in alignment with strategic objectives. The goals should address a critical need, which is considered valuable and significant to the intended recipients. Ideally, the concept should be different from other projects and/or improve on old strategies. The project should encourage and establish partnership and alleviate aid dependency.
Execution
Successful execution is engaging, relevant, resonate and memorable. Executive encompasses a handful of elements including content, design, technological innovation, and the unique nature of the underlying idea. The project should be fit for purpose and utilize innovative thinking and technology. And it should properly utilize its online presence and the capabilities of the utilized platform(s) to its greatest advantage.
Inclusivity
A key strategy for achieving equitable outcomes requires participation and input from a diverse body of stakeholders including leadership, partners, sponsors and community members. The work should have appropriate levels of representation and never perpetuate negative stereotypes and inequalities.
Engagement
Collaboration, outreach and audience engagement are critical indicators in determining the success of a project. There must be a high level of collaboration within the impacted community and stakeholders. It should increase awareness and inspire change to provoke a shift in interest, behavior, decision-making, demand, etc.
Impact
The most important element of a campaign or project is its impact. The project should yield tangible results and be a call to action that encourages continued involvement. If it is a branded project, it should represent general standards of authentic corporate social responsibility. With the exception of any indirect financial benefits that result from supporting mission-driven projects for corporations, there should be measures in place to prevent leakage (i.e. economic benefits reverting to corporations rather than to local beneficiaries and residents as intended). The effectiveness should generate support and positive feedback from the general public. The work should help transform the way we think, behave and make decisions.
Overall
A successful campaign or project can be more or less than the sum of its parts. The overall experience encompasses content, execution, innovation, technology and engagement but it also includes the intangibles that create real and lasting impact. The project should evoke a change in thinking and/or call to action.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Concept
Determining the quality of a concept considers all elements that go into the creative process and how successfully the original idea is communicated. The overall goal (or goals) should be clearly defined and in alignment with strategic objectives. The goals should address a critical need, which is considered valuable and significant to the intended recipients. Ideally, the concept should be different from other projects and/or improve on old strategies. The project should encourage and establish partnership and alleviate aid dependency.
Execution
Successful execution is engaging, relevant, resonate and memorable. Executive encompasses a handful of elements including content, design, technological innovation, and the unique nature of the underlying idea. The project should be fit for purpose and utilize innovative thinking and technology. And it should properly utilize its online presence and the capabilities of the utilized platform(s) to its greatest advantage.
Inclusivity
A key strategy for achieving equitable outcomes requires participation and input from a diverse body of stakeholders including leadership, partners, sponsors and community members. The work should have appropriate levels of representation and never perpetuate negative stereotypes and inequalities.
Engagement
Collaboration, outreach and audience engagement are critical indicators in determining the success of a project. There must be a high level of collaboration within the impacted community and stakeholders. It should increase awareness and inspire change to provoke a shift in interest, behavior, decision-making, demand, etc.
Capacity Building
The purpose of capacity building activities is to strengthen and maintain the capabilities needed to design and implement strategies that minimize the negative impacts of social, economic and/or environmental challenges. The project should include adequate capacity building activities such as developing a communications strategy, improving volunteer recruitment, ensuring smooth leadership succession, updating technology and improving outcome metrics. It should encourage long-term commitment and be adaptive enough to respond to changing circumstances. The solutions should be co-created with stakeholders and strengthen the organization’s ecosystem/network/leadership.
Impact
The most important element of a campaign or project is its impact. The project should yield tangible results and be a call to action that encourages continued involvement. If it is a branded project, it should represent general standards of authentic corporate social responsibility. With the exception of any indirect financial benefits that result from supporting mission-driven projects for corporations, there should be measures in place to prevent leakage (i.e. economic benefits reverting to corporations rather than to local beneficiaries and residents as intended). The effectiveness should generate support and positive feedback from the general public. The work should help transform the way we think, behave and make decisions.
Overall
A successful campaign or project can be more or less than the sum of its parts. The overall experience encompasses content, execution, innovation, technology and engagement but it also includes the intangibles that create real and lasting impact. The project should evoke a change in thinking and/or call to action.
FUNDRAISING
Concept
Determining the quality of a concept considers all elements that go into the creative process and how successfully the original idea is communicated. The overall goal (or goals) should be clearly defined and in alignment with strategic objectives. The goals should address a critical need, which is considered valuable and significant to the intended recipients. Ideally, the concept should be different from other projects and/or improve on old strategies. The project should encourage and establish partnership and alleviate aid dependency.
Execution
Successful execution is engaging, relevant, resonate and memorable. Executive encompasses a handful of elements including content, design, technological innovation, and the unique nature of the underlying idea. The project should be fit for purpose and utilize innovative thinking and technology. And it should properly utilize its online presence and the capabilities of the utilized platform(s) to its greatest advantage.
Inclusivity
A key strategy for achieving equitable outcomes requires participation and input from a diverse body of stakeholders including leadership, partners, sponsors and community members. The work should have appropriate levels of representation and never perpetuate negative stereotypes and inequalities.
Engagement
Collaboration, outreach and audience engagement are critical indicators in determining the success of a project. There must be a high level of collaboration within the impacted community and stakeholders. It should increase awareness and inspire change to provoke a shift in interest, behavior, decision-making, demand, etc.
Capacity Building
The purpose of capacity building activities is to strengthen and maintain the capabilities needed to design and implement strategies that minimize the negative impacts of social, economic and/or environmental challenges. The project should include adequate capacity building activities such as developing a communications strategy, improving volunteer recruitment, ensuring smooth leadership succession, updating technology and improving outcome metrics. It should encourage long-term commitment and be adaptive enough to respond to changing circumstances. The solutions should be co-created with stakeholders and strengthen the organization’s ecosystem/network/leadership.
Impact
The most important element of a campaign or project is its impact. The project should yield tangible results and be a call to action that encourages continued involvement. If it is a branded project, it should represent general standards of authentic corporate social responsibility. With the exception of any indirect financial benefits that result from supporting mission-driven projects for corporations, there should be measures in place to prevent leakage (i.e. economic benefits reverting to corporations rather than to local beneficiaries and residents as intended). The effectiveness should generate support and positive feedback from the general public. The work should help transform the way we think, behave and make decisions.
Overall
A successful campaign or project can be more or less than the sum of its parts. The overall experience encompasses content, execution, innovation, technology and engagement but it also includes the intangibles that create real and lasting impact. The project should evoke a change in thinking and/or call to action.
PRODUCT, INNOVATION OR SERVICE
Concept
Determining the quality of a concept considers all elements that go into the creative process and how successfully the original idea is communicated. The overall goal (or goals) should be clearly defined and in alignment with strategic objectives. The goals should address a critical need, which is considered valuable and significant to the intended recipients. Ideally, the concept should be different from other projects and/or improve on old strategies. The project should encourage and establish partnership and alleviate aid dependency.
Execution
Successful execution is engaging, relevant, resonate and memorable. Executive encompasses a handful of elements including content, design, technological innovation, and the unique nature of the underlying idea. The project should be fit for purpose and utilize innovative thinking and technology. And it should properly utilize its online presence and the capabilities of the utilized platform(s) to its greatest advantage.
Inclusivity
A key strategy for achieving equitable outcomes requires participation and input from a diverse body of stakeholders including leadership, partners, sponsors and community members. The work should have appropriate levels of representation and never perpetuate negative stereotypes and inequalities.
Utility
The most important element of a product, innovation or service is its impact and serviceability. The product, innovation or service should yield the intended results and be sustainably produced and managed. If it is a branded offering, it should meet the standards of corporate citizenship. There should be measures in place to prevent leakage (i.e. economic benefits reverting to corporate rather than to local beneficiaries and residents) and its usefulness should be supported and validated by public conversation. It should help transform the way we operate, function, behave and make decisions.
Overall
A valuable product, innovation or service can be more or less than the sum of its parts. The overall experience encompasses concept, execution, innovation and technology but it also includes the intangibles that create real and lasting impact. The project should evoke a change in behavior and/or call to action.
TEAM & LEADERSHIP
Concept
Determining the quality of a concept considers all elements that go into the creative process and how successfully the original idea is communicated. The overall goal (or goals) should be clearly defined and in alignment with strategic objectives. The goals should address a critical need, which is considered valuable and significant to the intended recipients. Ideally, the concept should be different from other projects and/or improve on old strategies. The project should encourage and establish partnership and alleviate aid dependency.
Execution
Successful execution is engaging, relevant, resonate and memorable. Executive encompasses a handful of elements including content, design, technological innovation, and the unique nature of the underlying idea. The project should be fit for purpose and utilize innovative thinking and technology. And it should properly utilize its online presence and the capabilities of the utilized platform(s) to its greatest advantage.
Inclusivity
A key strategy for achieving equitable outcomes requires participation and input from a diverse body of stakeholders including leadership, partners, sponsors and community members. The work should have appropriate levels of representation and never perpetuate negative stereotypes and inequalities.
Utility
The most important element of a product, innovation or service is its impact and serviceability. The product, innovation or service should yield the intended results and be sustainably produced and managed. If it is a branded offering, it should meet the standards of corporate citizenship. There should be measures in place to prevent leakage (i.e. economic benefits reverting to corporate rather than to local beneficiaries and residents) and its usefulness should be supported and validated by public conversation. It should help transform the way we operate, function, behave and make decisions.
Overall
A valuable product, innovation or service can be more or less than the sum of its parts. The overall experience encompasses concept, execution, innovation and technology but it also includes the intangibles that create real and lasting impact. The project should evoke a change in behavior and/or call to action.