American Heritage Awards

About the Awards

The American Heritage Awards celebrate the NSCDA’s ideals while supporting Dames' involvement in their local communities. The Awards recognize non-profit organizations or groups that show dedication to patriotism and American heritage. The recipient or recipients must use this financial Award to promote these ideals through community work, programs, or special projects.

Each year, four Corporate Societies from different Groups across the country, known as “Spotlight Societies,” select the recipient or recipients of the Award. Each Corporate Society takes a turn as the “Spotlight Society” according to a rotating schedule. So, every Corporate Society has the opportunity to choose a worthy organization to support, with that amount of support able to grow thanks to help from Supporting Societies and the NSCDA as well.

The total amount of an Award is determined by contributions from the Spotlight Societies, all of the Supporting Societies in the same Group, and a $1000 contribution from the NSCDA Scholarship, Grants and Awards Committee.
As we celebrate the fifth year of the American Heritage Awards, we expect that each Corporate Society will support the Awards chosen by the Spotlight Societies. In this way, every Corporate Society is taking part in supporting Dames involvement in their local communities.

All About American Heritage Awards
Guidelines and Timeline
Past Recipients

Past Recipients

She’s The Veteran

2025-2026 Recipient She’s the Veteran works with female Veterans to improve mental health through programs and activities, to provide a supportive community, and to spearhead research efforts. Selected by the South Carolina Society

Alden House National Historic Site

2025-2026 Recipient Alden House in Duxbury, MA preserves the story of Mayflower passengers John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, who built a home and raised ten children on the property, becoming prosperous farmers. Alden House was chosen in part to celebrate the 250 by 250 Founding Females initiative. Selected by the Massachusetts Society.

Rancho Cielo Youth Campus

2025-2026 Recipient Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, located in Salinas, offers hands-on vocational training, academic support, skills development, and mentorship to help underserved and at-promise young people unlock their full potential. Their first-ever After School Program launched in 2024, a milestone rooted deeply in their mission. Selected by the California Society—Monterey Peninsula Committee.

Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana

2025-2026 Recipient HVAF of Indiana provides support for homeless Veterans and their families. The Award this year was used to establish a “Birthday Brigade” providing birthday celebrations to the children of these veterans, bringing joy and smiles to all. Selected by the Indiana Society.

Santa Barbara Genealogical Society

2025-2026 Recipient Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society is an all-volunteer research facility with a collection of 200,000 books, maps, periodicals, and digital resources, and has offered research assistance to many of our local NSCDA-CA candidates. Selected by NSCDA-CA Los Angeles-Pasadena-Santa Barbara Town Committee.

The San Diego History Center

2025-2026 Recipient San Diego History Center, located in history Balboa Park, collects, preserves and displays unparalleled collections of regional history, and develops educational material and curriculum for local schools. Selected by the California Society—San Diego County Committee.

The Jon W. Paulson Veterans Community

2025-2026 Recipient Jon W. Paulson Veterans Community is a pioneering supportive housing program, first in the nation specifically dedicated to veterans. Established by the nonprofit Swords to Plowshares, the community in San Francisco’s Presidio serves as a vital sanctuary for 108 formerly homeless veterans. Selected by the California Society--Northern California Committee.

The Nebraska Memorial Forest

2024-2025 Recipient The Nebraska Memorial Forest is a project to plant 7,500 trees for military or first responder fallen heroes, with over 2500 trees planted to date. Selected by the Nebraska Society.

William Henry Harrison Riverfront Park

2024-2025 Recipient The Park, located in North Bend, Ohio, is working on a project to transform the 14-acre site to include trails, a play area, an interpretive center, and a riverfront pavilion. Selected by the Ohio Society.

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island

2024-2025 Recipient OSDRI provides Veterans permanent and transitional housing assistance as well as help with job placement, legal assistance, and basic necessities. Selected by the Rhode Island Society

Memorial Park, Jacksonville

2024-2025 Recipient The historic park, dedicated to Jacksonville veterans who did in World War I, is being refurbished to celebrate its 100th year. This park was laid out by the Olmsted brothers, sons of the famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Selected by the Florida Society.