Award Nomination Forms
Hawthorn Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the 2025 Project of the Year and Hawthorn Award of Excellence. The deadline to submit nominees is Monday, July 7; awardees will be notified by August 1.
The awards will be presented in Branson, Missouri at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development during the Governor’s Luncheon on Thursday, September 4.
Questions? Contact Becky Willard, beckyw@hawthornfoundation.org or (573) 673-4350
Hawthorn Award of Excellence
The Hawthorn Award of Excellence shall be presented to an individual who deserves recognition for their contribution to economic development and the promotion of the mission of Hawthorn Foundation, either at the state or local level. This person can be someone new to the field who stands out among peers or someone who has demonstrated a continued dedication over many years. The honored individual does not have to be an economic developer. Current members of the Hawthorn Executive Committee assist in the selection process and are therefore not eligible to receive this award.
Project of the Year
The Hawthorn Project of the Year shall be awarded to a new project within the state of Missouri from the prior fiscal year. In fitting with the mission of Missouri Partnership, attraction projects only will be considered. While we are interested in the quantitative measures of a project (jobs, investment) we are also interested in more qualitative measures such as community impact and coalitions working together.
Past Honorees
Rob Dixon
Hawthorn Award of Excellence, 2024
Rudy Farber
Hawthorn Award of Excellence, 2023
University of Missouri’s NextGen MURR
Hawthorn Project of the Year, 2024
American Foods Group
Hawthorn Project of the Year, 2023