2013 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award

The NASCAR Foundation awards the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award to a NASCAR fan who embodies the ideals of charity and community that Mrs. France has championed throughout her life. These applicants honor the spirit of NASCAR, demonstrating goodwill and generosity in the interest of helping children in need. One winner receives a $100,000 donation to the children’s charity of their choice along with a NASCAR experience of a lifetime.  The top three remaining finalists receive $25,000 for their children's charity of choice.

In 2012, Lorri Unumb won the award and designated the charitable donation to benenfit the Autism Academy of South Carolina, which she helped start in honor of her son Ryan.  Since the award's beginning in 2011, The NASCAR Foundation has donated more than $350,000 to children's charities across the country in honor of the finalists.

The nomination phase for the 2013 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award has closed. Stay tuned this fall to see who is selected as the finalists for this year's award. Email bjfaward@nascarfoundation.com for any inquiries related to this award.

 
Slideshow image

       
 
 
 ELIGIBILITY

The award is open to individuals aged 18 years or older who are legal residents of the United States. Applicants must demonstrate a distinct and unique passion for NASCAR and that they have made a significant impact on the lives of children through volunteerism or charitable work during the last five years. For this award, “volunteerism” is defined as voluntary action in service to others and the community. Individuals who receive compensation to perform charitable work – volunteering, fundraising, etc. – are ineligible for the award. NASCAR and The NASCAR Foundation employees are ineligible for the award.

Nominees must commit to attending all events associated with this award. Benefitting charity must commit to send a benefitting child from the charity to all associated events. (costs to be paid by The NASCAR Foundation). Nominee and child must be physically able to participate in associated events that could include speaking to media or large groups of people.

Previous finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award cannot compete for the award for five (5) years from year selected as a finalist. Winners of the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award are not eligible to apply for the award again.

THE PROCESS

From December 1, 2012 – June 14, 2013 individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by a friend, family member or nonprofit organization where the individual volunteers. Applicants will be narrowed to a pool of four (4) finalists who will be announced at a 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race (TBD).

The finalists will be featured in an online vote and mobile vote campaign with NASCAR fans voting for the volunteer they would like to receive the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.

Nominees will be judged on:

  • Charitable Service to Children and Impact of Donation: Nominee must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to a nonprofit organization, program or campaign that helps children lead happier, healthier lives through its charitable programs and how it plans to use the funds received by The NASCAR Foundation should the nominee be named a finalist or winner.
  • Volunteer Service: Nominees’ efforts should have a direct and measurable impact on the nonprofit organization, program or campaign that he or she serves through the nominee's outstanding volunteer service accomplishments.
  • Passion and Dedication to NASCAR: Nominees must demonstrate their enthusiasm and passion for the sport of NASCAR through excitement for all areas of the sport - from attending races to supporting their favorite drivers.
  • Embodiment of Betty Jane France's Legacy: Nominees must be capable of representing the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award and must carry on the legacy of Betty Jane France's commitment to community service through their passion and dedication to helping children lead happier, healthier lives.

THE AWARD

From the pool of applicants, four (4) finalists will be selected. An online voting campaign will narrow the pool to a single award-winner. Prizes are as follows:   

One (1) Winner will receive:

  • A $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to a children’s charity of their choice (must be a registered, public, 501c3 tax-exempt organization in the United States).
  • An all-expense-paid trip* to a NASCAR race weekend (TBD) in 2013 as part of the award recognition process and in recognition of the person as a finalist for the award.
  • An all-expense-paid trip* to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week in Las Vegas in December 2013 for the Winner and one guest to receive the award, as well as a child (and child’s parent/guardian) that benefit from the Winner’s designated charity.
  • Winner and child from the designated charity will be presented a trophy and an acknowledgment of a $100,000 donation to be made to their designated charity.

Three (3) Finalists will receive:

  • A $25,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to a children’s charity of their choice (must be a registered, public, 501c3 tax-exempt organization in the United States).
  • An all-expense-paid trip* to a NASCAR race weekend (TBD) in 2013 as part of the award recognition process and in recognition of the person as a finalist for the award.
  • An all-expense-paid trip* to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week in Las Vegas in December 2013 (finalists may each bring one guest), as well as a child (and child’s parent/guardian) that benefit from the finalist’s designated charity.

 

*All expense paid trips include standard airfare, hotel, meals, and transportation to and from airport and hotel.