Once in a while we see something that makes us say “Wow, that’s brilliant! They should get an award.” We believe that bold, smart and great acts that improve the world (or even a small corner of it) should be recognized. Some days, the Internet can seem like it’s made up of 98% criticism and lunacy and 2% sense. Online commenting communities most often skew toward the cranky and unbalanced. We wanted to create a new opportunity to simply congratulate a job exceedingly well done.

The Nutgraf Brilliance Award is given to an individual or organization that does something that inspired us.

Characteristics that impress us:

• Intelligence
• Incisive humor
• Good grammar
• Humility

Winners are selected by the award committee on an occasional basis. The prize consists entirely of a modest acrylic plaque and letter congratulating them on their fine work. Winners aren’t asked to do or say anything in return, nor do they necessarily endorse the award, the site or anything else we do or say.

It’s pretty simple.

Seen something brilliant that should get an award?

Recent posts about it:

• Introducing The Nutgraf Brilliance Award

Selection Committee:

Carrie Hutchison is the Director, Communications, Development & Special Projects at National Geographic in Washington, D.C. Previously, she was Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at Calvert Foundation in Bethesda, Md., where she led a broad array of marketing efforts, including strategy, branding, online communications and public relations. She came to Calvert Foundation from FINRA (formerly NASD), the largest non-governmental regulator for U.S. securities firms. Prior to that, she ran marketing strategy and campaign analysis for MicroMarketing, an agency specializing in life-stage marketing. She has also held positions at technology and consulting companies, including Overture Technologies and The Adrenaline Group, which comprised a very talented group of lunatics in Washington, D.C.

Carrie received her BA in communications from Syracuse University and her MS in strategic marketing from Johns Hopkins University. She lives in Maryland with her daughter and two dogs who bark but do not bite. On Twitter: @carriehutchi

Thea Joselow is a writer, editor and digital media consultant based in Bethesda, Maryland. She has worked for such illustrious institutions as National Public Radio, Smithsonian Magazine, and at a strategic communications firm in Washington, D.C. Her favorite professional qualification is that for a brief time she wrote the online quiz for the Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me program.

Thea earned her BA in English Literature from Oberlin College, and her MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She’s a feminist, a humorist and somebody’s mother, among other things. On Twitter: @tjoselow

Priscilla VanderVeer is a Director at APCO Worldwide in Washington, D.C., where she utilizes her expertise with health care advocacy, ally development and media outreach to make life better for a wide range of clients. Prior to joining APCO, Priscilla served as advocacy relations manager in the Washington, D.C., office of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the national trade association representing more than 60,000 pediatricians. There, she handled large-scale advocacy efforts for important legislative priorities and other high-profile issues by speaking with the media, preparing speeches, handling press events and coordinating the academy’s advocacy message.

Priscilla graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from the University of New Mexico and holds a Master of Arts in Political Management from the George Washington University. To get on her good side, ask her to show you pictures of her two small but mighty dogs. On Twitter: @sillaring
You can contact us here: award@nutgraf.net