A Year of Impact: 2024 In Review
As we reflect on an incredible year, The Congressional Award is proud to share the milestones, memories, and achievements that defined 2024. From empowering youth through impactful events and workshops to celebrating the dedication of our participants, this year was marked by growth, service, and inspiration. Each month brought new opportunities to engage, connect, and make a difference—from honoring our Gold Medalists in Washington, D.C., to launching innovative resources that support young achievers across the nation.
This year, the program saw immense growth as we expanded our Board of Directors, our staff, our resources for youth and partners, and our reach from coast to coast. We’ve crunched the numbers – this year, the program saw:
- 6,986 Awards Earned
- 48,395 Total Active Participants
- 7,310 New Participants
- 18,826 Adult Mentors
- 47,358 Participating Schools
- over 660,000 logged hours of Voluntary Public Service activity
- over 425,000 logged hours of Personal Development activity
- over 485,000 logged hours of Physical Fitness activity
In addition, we raised critical funds for the program through four Giving Campaigns, hosted informative and inspiring Power Lunches with three Members of Congress, strengthened the Congressional Award team with two new staff members and seven new Board members, and all came together for one essential cause: creating opportunities for young people to unlock their potential.
Explore our 2024 highlights below and join us in celebrating the collective impact of our community!
January 2024
New Monthly Regional Virtual Office Hours
January marked the launch of monthly, regional workshops, connecting participants with mentors to guide their Congressional Award journey. These sessions set a strong foundation for personal growth and community impact. Watch the “Introduction to the Congressional Award” video that was launched in conjunction with the monthly office hours.
January 2024
New Class of Ambassadors Inducted
We proudly welcomed a new class of Congressional Award Ambassadors, a group of leaders committed to inspiring and engaging youth across the nation. Meet the ambassadors.
February 2024
Cupid Crew Campaign
In February, we teamed up with Wish of a Lifetime for the Cupid Crew campaign, delivering thousands of Valentine’s Day cards to isolated seniors to spread love and connection. Read more.
March 2024
Power Lunch with Congressman Thomas Kean of New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District
Rep. Thomas Kean (NJ-07) joined us for a Power Lunch, sharing his unique journey and insights with our staff and Board Members, emphasizing the value of public service.
March 2024
Power Lunch with Congressman Troy Carter of Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02) engaged in an inspiring Power Lunch, learning about the Congressional Award program and making meaningful connections with staff and Board Members.
March 2024
CAO Interview with National Director, Erica Heyse
National Director Erica Heyse spoke with the House of Representatives’ Chief Administrative Office’s Chad Story to provide resources and insights for Congressional offices nationwide. Watch the interview.
March 2024
DC Central Kitchen Day of Service
Staff and Board members gave back to the community with a day of service at DC Central Kitchen, showcasing the program’s commitment to volunteering and community impact.
April 2024
Women in STEM Challenge Launch
The Women in STEM Challenge, presented in partnership with Ferring Pharmaceuticals, celebrated young innovators, with participants presenting creative solutions to real-world problems. Explore the winning projects.
April 2024
Spring Giving Campaign
Our Spring Giving Campaign united supporters nationwide, raising funds to expand program opportunities for youth.
April 2024
Leadership Reception
The Leadership Reception brought together key stakeholders to celebrate the program’s milestones and strengthen connections for the future as well as provide an opportunity to come together to award young people for their leadership, commitment, and aspirations to create a better world.. Read the full event recap here.
May 2024
Chips & Chiefs Poker Tournament
Supporters, Congressional staff, and friends of the program went “all in” at our annual Poker Tournament, raising funds for the Congressional Award while enjoying a night of friendly competition.
May 2024
Military Youth Cohort
The Congressional Award began meeting with our Military Youth Cohort to discuss challenges and shape resources for military-connected families, fostering collaboration and community impact as we build out the Home Base Program.
June 2024
Power Lunch with Congressman Gabe Amo of Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Gabe Amo (RI-01) took questions from the Congressional Award Board and discussed the importance of the Congressional Award program in the context of youth empowerment and achievement.
June 2024
Gold Medal Summit
The Gold Medal Summit was the Congressional Award’s most anticipated event of the year, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of our highest-level awardees. Held in Washington, D.C., the Summit featured inspiring panel discussions with industry leaders (sponsored by Bayer, Ferring, and Intuit), exclusive networking opportunities, and a grand celebration at historic venues. Gold Medalists were honored for their dedication to personal growth and service, joined by Members of Congress, program supporters, and distinguished guests. Watch the highlights.
June 2024
Laredo Student Leadership Summit
Members of the Congressional Award team traveled to Laredo, Texas, to help facilitate the Laredo Student Leadership Summit. The Congressional Award team helped get students from five different schools across the United Independent School District involved in The Congressional Award program. During the four days, participants were equipped with the tools to work towards their Gold Medals and prepared an “Issue to Action Proposal” to present to school district leaders.
July 2024
Podcast Season 3 Launched
Season 3 of the Elevating DC Youth podcast explored impactful leadership stories, with Season 4 set to launch in 2025. The Congressional Award and The DC Office of Cable Television Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) presented the third season of the podcast Elevating DC Youth, hosted by local DC students in the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program, run by DC’s Parks and Recreation Department. Catch up on episodes.
July 2024
Financial Literacy Resources Re-Launched
Updated financial literacy resources from Intuit provided participants with tools to build strong financial habits. Explore the updates.
July 2024
New Website Chatbot
Our new chatbot went live, offering participants and supporters a quick and efficient way to find program information.
August 2024
Updated Program Book
The Program Book received a comprehensive update to enhance guidance and support for participants and mentors. Check out the latest digital version here.
August 2024
Texas Delegation Lunch
The Texas Delegation Lunch brought together Congressional chiefs of staff as well as corporate representatives from Intuit, Ferring, and KKR, to learn about the program and its benefits for Texas youth.
September 2024
Golf Tournament
Our annual Golf Tournament combined fun and philanthropy, raising funds to support youth development initiatives.
October 2024
Back to School Giving Campaign
The Back to School Giving Campaign rallied donors to invest in young achievers as they embarked on their educational journeys.
October 2024
Ambassadors Present Final Projects
Ambassadors showcased their impactful final projects, reflecting their dedication to inspiring youth and fostering change.
November 2024
Call for Student-Submitted Artwork
We invited creative submissions for the 2025 desk calendar, offering students a platform to share their artistic talents. We received an overwhelming amount of submissions – check out the winners here!
December 2024
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday energized supporters nationwide, raising critical funds for the program and celebrating the spirit of generosity. With our supporters this year, we reached our $10,000 goal!
December 2024
Entrepreneurship Webinar
In partnership with Intuit, the Entrepreneurship Webinar inspired participants with insights from experts on starting and growing a business. Watch the webinar here.
December 2024
End of Year Giving Campaign
Our End of Year Giving Campaign, running through January 2025, focuses on gratitude and impactful donor support, featuring thank-you gifts like the 2025 desk calendar. Donate and recieve yours today!
As we close the chapter on an extraordinary 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the participants, mentors, Board members, staff, and supporters who made this year so impactful. Together, we’ve empowered thousands of young people to achieve their goals, give back to their communities, and grow as leaders.
Looking ahead, The Congressional Award is committed to building on this momentum. With new initiatives, expanded resources, and an unwavering dedication to our mission, we are ready to make 2025 even more transformative.
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your support fuels our ability to inspire, connect, and create opportunities for youth nationwide. Let’s continue to work together to unlock the potential of the next generation—one goal, one achievement, and one milestone at a time.
Here’s to another incredible year ahead!