Update:
The deadline for nominations has been extended to May 5, 2023. Any faxed nominations were not received due to a broken fax machine. Please send nominations via email to mackenzie.brown@nara.gov.
What is the Make a Difference Award?
Every year the Kennedy Library recognizes up to 100 middle school students from across Massachusetts with the John F. Kennedy Make a Difference Award for the impact they have made in their communities through service projects.
The Award is given to students who are nominated by teachers or principals for contributions they have made on a local, state, national, or international level.
Projects for which students received awards in previous years include helping fellow students with disabilities, working at local food pantries and senior centers, organizing recycling projects, raising funds for autism and childhood cancer research, and fundraising for children in Uganda and Haiti.
Who is Eligible?
All middle school students (grades 6-8) participating in unique community service projects are eligible. School personnel should give special consideration to students who have distinguished themselves through their service work. Awards will be given to the first 100 names submitted. Previous Award winners are not eligible.
Submit a Nomination
The deadline to nominate students has been extended to May 5, 2023. Please note that only two students per school may be nominated.
Download a PDF of the submission form.
Please e-mail completed forms to mackenzie.brown@nara.gov.
Award Recognition
The 2023 Award Ceremony will be held on June 13th, 2023 at 4:00 pm at the Kennedy Library in Boston. Each Award winner will receive a personalized Make a Difference Award certificate in recognition of their service project.