Nomination Categories

Advocate for the Arts (formerly Patron of the Arts)

This award recognizes significant contributions to the arts disciplines based on the following criteria: leadership in the arts community; education or promotion of arts values, projects and organizations; innovative and creative ideas that improve participation in the arts; donation of time through volunteerism and/or the donation of financial resources to the arts community.

Recognition will be given for leadership and performance for work above and beyond his/her paid profession.

Entrepreneur of the Year

The nominee has demonstrated true entrepreneurial spirit through the creation of a new business locally, despite the risks involved.

The entrepreneur shall have demonstrated a potential of substantially impacting the economic health of the community through the creation of new jobs and the attraction of revenue from outside the area. The entrepreneur will be noted for the creativity of the new product or service being offered as well as the demonstration of sound business practices.

Business Person of the Year

Named after Robert C. Ingalls, a past Corvallis Gazette-Times publisher and Corvallis Chamber President, this award is given to the Corvallis business person who best represents the characteristics exemplified by Mr. Ingalls during his lifetime.

Those values were a sincere belief and personal involvement in Corvallis; a strong belief in integrity in business and quality customer service; a deep caring for, and recognition of employees, a commitment to friendship, fairness, honesty, freedom of speech, choice and business; and a recognition that improved community livability is dependent on future development.

Small Business of the Year - Award sponsored by Linn-Benton Community College

This award recognizes businesses that have made significant contributions to the economic health of the community, including financial contributions, business growth, and the introduction of new or innovative product(s) or service(s); employee development; sound or innovative business practices; community service; and customer service.

The Small Business of the Year will recognize businesses with 24 full-time employees or less. Franchises will automatically be considered in the Large Business category.

Large Business of the Year

This award recognizes businesses that have made significant contributions to the economic health of the community, including financial contributions, business growth, and the introduction of new or innovative product(s) or service(s); employee development; sound or innovative business practices; community service; and customer service.

The Large Business of the Year award will recognize businesses with 25 full-time employees or more. Franchises will automatically be considered in the Large Business category.

Non-Profit of the Year - Award sponsored by Benton Community Foundation

This award recognizes a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has made a significant contribution to the overall health and livability of Benton County. The winning organization makes a significant impact that improves the economic, medical, educational or financial health of individuals in our community; impacts people through enabling and empowering individuals to improve their knowledge and skills toward greater quality of life; or benefits the under served, underrepresented or disaffected members of the community, including children, seniors, animals and those in poverty; and has high quality treatment of employees and members of the public. Must be 501c(3) to qualify for this award.

Senior First Citizen

This nominee should be at least 66 years old. (Age as of January 1, 2025)

This award is annually given to an individual for making a broad and substantial impact on our community.

This award recognizes an individual’s leadership in promoting non-profit causes and organizations.

The nominee’s activities should be centered in the Corvallis area. Recognition will be given for leadership and performance for work above and beyond his/her paid profession. The nominee should have participated in a broad scope of activities over the course of more than three (3) years. Applications will be evaluated in the following areas: contribution to the local community, contribution to state and national community, diversity of contribution, longevity of contributions and benefit to the community.

First Citizen - Award sponsored by Miriam Estrada, kw Mid-Willamette

This nominee should be between 42 and 65 years old. (Age as of January 1, 2025)

This award is annually given to an individual for making a broad and substantial impact on our community.

This award recognizes an individual’s leadership in promoting non-profit causes and organizations.

The nominee’s activities should be centered in the Corvallis area. Recognition will be given for leadership and performance for work above and beyond his/her paid profession. The nominee should have participated in a broad scope of activities over the course of more than three (3) years. Applications will be evaluated in the following areas: contribution to the local community, contribution to state and national community, diversity of contribution, longevity of contributions and benefit to the community.

Junior First Citizen

This nominee should be between 18 and 41 years old. (Age as of January 1, 2025)

This award is annually given to an individual for making a broad and substantial impact on our community.

This award recognizes an individual’s leadership in promoting non-profit causes and organizations.

The nominee’s activities should be centered in the Corvallis area. Recognition will be given for leadership and performance for work above and beyond his/her paid profession. The nominee should have participated in a broad scope of activities over the course of more than three (3) years. Applications will be evaluated in the following areas: contribution to the local community, contribution to state and national community, diversity of contribution, longevity of contributions and benefit to the community.