NAPFA Awards Program Criteria

Robert J. Underwood Distinguished Service Award

This award is presented for outstanding service to the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) or the advancement of the practice of fee-only financial planning by an individual association or professional staff member. This award has been presented for exceptional, long-term service to NAPFA, primarily through committee service or other similar contributions. "Unsung hero" or "above and beyond the call of duty" are two ways to describe past recipients.

Criteria considered by the Awards & Recognition Committee:

Contributions that significantly and consistently impact NAPFA and/or the advancement of the profession through service to the Association.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to serve as a teacher or formal/informal mentor to other professionals.
Demonstrated leadership commitment and involvement in NAPFA.

These contributions may be a single act or a cumulative performance. Significance will be measured by a positive impact on practitioners, consumers, or the profession as a whole. The effort exerted by the candidate will also be considered.

Potential Recipients: NAPFA member or staff.
Nomination Process: Nominations will be solicited from the membership through multiple communications channels. The nomination should identify the specific act(s) or performance for which the award is recommended, as well as a brief description of its impact.
Selection Process: A committee of three individuals will select from nominees submitted by the membership and the Board.
Presentation: The award will be made in conjunction with one of the National Conferences.
The award does not have to be granted every year.

NAPFA Special Achievement Award

This award is presented for significant contribution(s) that greatly enhances fee-only financial advisors, the profession of providing financial consulting services, or helps educate consumers on the benefits of having a comprehensive financial plan and working with a highly qualified financial advisor by a non-member. This award has been presented for exceptional, long-term service to the profession or public.

Criteria considered by the Awards & Recognition Committee:

Contributions that greatly enhance Fee-Only financial advisors, the profession of providing financial consulting services, or helps educate consumers on the benefits of comprehensive financial planning and working with a highly qualified financial advisor.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to serve as an advocate, educator or storyteller for the profession or public.
Demonstrated leadership commitment and involvement in issues related to consumer protection, financial planning, education or literacy.

Potential Recipients: Non-NAPFA member (journalist, state or national politician, government employee, etc.)
Nomination Process: Nominations will be solicited from the membership through multiple communications channels. The nomination should identify the specific act(s) or performance for which the award is recommended, as well as a brief description of its impact.
Selection Process: A committee of three individuals will select from nominees submitted by the membership and the Board.
Presentation: The award will be made in conjunction with one of the National Conferences.
The award does not have to be granted every year.

NAPFA Excellence in DEI Award

The NAPFA Excellence in DEI Award is designed to recognize the achievements and efforts of firms to advance DEI in their organizations. The award will be granted based on specific initiatives executed at the firm level.

Criteria considered by the Awards & Recognition Committee

Initiatives executed in DEI at the firm, employee, or community level.
Dedication to the importance of diversity in the financial planning profession.
Commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for employees and clients of the firm.

Recognizes internal and external initiatives at firms specifically developed to increase diversity, equity and inclusion of the firm, its employees, or the clients and communities it serves. The firms recognized will have demonstrated results showing progress in their DEI journeys at the employee, firm, or community level. Up to three awards may be granted, one in each of the following categories, as defined below:

Solo Firms: 1-2 employees, under 1M in revenue (~ less than 100M AUM)
Mid-sized Firms: 3-10 employees, and between 1-5M of revenue. (~100M-1B AUM)
Large Firms: 11+ employees, and over 5M of revenue. (~ over 1B AUM)

Additional Details:

Potential Recipients: All Firms with NAPFA-affiliated professionals
Selection Process: A committee of three individuals will select from nominees submitted by the membership and the Board.
Presentation: The award will be made in conjunction with one of the National Conferences.
The award does not have to be granted every year.

NAPFA Inspiring Leader Award

This award is presented to a member who has established a record of encouraging, motivating and engaging others in reaching their full professional potential under the auspices of the Association. This award has been presented for exceptional, long-term, service to NAPFA, primarily as a teacher, mentor or coach.

Criteria considered by the Awards & Recognition Committee:

Demonstrated support and encouragement of other fee-only professionals to participate in NAPFA as an avenue to professional achievement.
Develops peers and encourages colleagues through coaching or mentorship.
Serves as a role model throughout the association.
Active member of NAPFA and involvement in activities of the association.

These contributions may be a single act or a cumulative performance. Significance will be measured by a positive impact on the organization and individual members. The effort exerted by the candidate will also be considered.

Potential Recipients: NAPFA member
Nomination Process: Nominations will be solicited from the membership through multiple communications channels. The nomination should identify the specific act(s) or performance for which the award is recommended, as well as a brief description of its impact.
Selection Process: A committee of three individuals will select from nominees submitted by the membership and the Board.
Presentation: The award will be made in conjunction with one of the National Conferences.
The award does not have to be granted every year.

NAPFA New Professional Award

This award is designed to recognize the achievements and contributions to the profession of young practitioner members of the Association. It may be presented to a member who has made outstanding contributions in their professional and volunteer roles.

Criteria considered by the Awards & Recognition Committee:

Outstanding and creative approaches to problem solving within the financial planning profession.
Demonstrated positive impact on their firm and/or the profession.
Serves as a role model for other young practitioners and students.
Active member of NAPFA and involvement in activities of the association.

These contributions may be a single act or a cumulative performance. Significance will be measured by a positive impact on the nominees firm or the profession.

Potential Recipients: NAPFA member under the age of 35
Nomination process: Nominations will be solicited from the membership through multiple communications channels. The nomination should identify the specific act(s) or performance for which the award is recommended, as well as a brief description of the nominees impact/contributions.
Selection process: A committee of three individuals will select from nominees submitted by the membership and the Board.
Presentation: The NAPFA New Professional Award will be made in conjunction with one of the National Conferences.
The award does not have to be granted every year.

NAPFA Foundation Pro Bono Service Award

This award recognizes the community service work of NAPFA members who have contributed their time and financial planning expertise to helping those in need achieve positive financial outcomes in the future. This award is presented to a planner or financial planning firm in recognition of their significant pro bono contributions to a nonprofit organization, social services agency or directly to individuals through their own firm.

Criteria considered by the Awards & Recognition Committee:

Scope:

How many volunteer hours were provided and/or the number of individuals served?
When did the service begin, how long did it take, and how often does it occur?
What level of commitment did the nominee demonstrate to their pro bono engagement?

Impact:

How has the nominee influenced the lives of the recipients of the pro bono services?
Has the nominee been recognized by others as being dedicated to achieving desired outcomes through their contribution of pro bono volunteer service?
What would the recipients of the service(s) say about the nominee?

Additional Eligibility Guidelines:

Volunteer involvement must be current and ongoing as of the last 12 months.
Activities must have included pro bono financial advice and guidance, preferably one-on-one for underserved populations, (e.g., low income, social service agency clients, military personnel/veterans and families, individuals in a crisis situation such as domestic violence survivors, people affected by a natural disaster, college students, serious medical diagnosis, bankruptcy, etc.).
Current NAPFA Foundation Board of Trustees are not eligible.

Additional Details:

Potential Recipients: NAPFA members or their firms
Nomination process: Nominations will be solicited from the membership through multiple communications channels. The nomination should identify the specific act(s) or performance for which the award is recommended, as well as a description of its impact.
Selection process: A committee established by the NAPFA Foundation Board of Trustees will review the nominees submitted by the NAPFA membership. The awards committee will summarize the nominees’ and their qualifications to the NAPFA Foundation Board of Trustees for consideration. The NAPFA Foundation board may select a candidate as presented, narrow the list and/or request from the nominees additional information on their pro-bono efforts for a final review and vote.
Presentation: The award will be presented in conjunction with one of NAPFA’s National Conferences. Multiple nominees may be recognized annually, but the award does not have to be granted every year.