GW Monogram

Center for Excellence
in Public Leadership

College of Professional Studies

Morris Cafritz is in a dark grey suit laughing and moving toward another man. There is a man behind him, Jim Robinson, who displays a wide smile as he reaches his arm out. The Cafritz Awards
The Cafritz Awards

The Cafritz Awards

 Honoring the
Best in Public Service

 

 

Applications Open: Applications for the 23rd Calvin Cafritz Awards are now officially open, and we welcome you to apply! You can submit an application as an individual or for your team here. If you would like to nominate someone whose impact deserves to be recognized, you can do so here. The deadline for submitting nominations is January 31, 2026, and the deadline for submitting applications is February 20, 2026.
Information Sessions: There will be multiple information sessions to answer your questions about the Cafritz Awards program via Zoom: 
Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 at 12-12:30 p.m. EST

As members of the DC community, we are fortunate to have countless examples of public servants who work towards the greater good of this unique city. These often unsung heroes uphold the public interest amid competing interests, pressures, and demands. 

The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation partners with the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership  to recognize and reward outstanding performance and exemplary service by DC Government employees.

Each year five individual winners receive a $7,500 cash prize and a winning team receives a $15,000 cash prize. For more information on the eligibility requirements and the selection criteria, please see the Individual Awards or the Team Innovation Award pages on the Cafritz Awards website.

 

 

Center for Excellence
in Public Leadership

College of Professional Studies
805 21st Street, NW
Suite 301
Washington, DC 20052

   202-994-5390
   202-994-5389
   ceplatgwu [dot] edu (subject: Web%20Inquiry) (cepl[at]gwu[dot]edu)

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