FAQ
Can I nominate more than one organization?
Yes! You can nominate as many organizations as you want.
Can any organization anywhere be nominated?
Only official 501(c)3 organizations serving the central Illinois community may be considered for this contest. This includes not-for-profit groups, charities, associations, foundations, churches, and other organizations similar in nature and community service. For a list of counties that are eligible, see Rules & Regulations.
Can an organization be nominated more than once?
It only takes one nomination to participate in this contest. Multiple nominations do not increase chances of winning.
Can an organization nominate itself?
Yes! We encourage organizations to nominate themselves! Click here to nominate.
How do I nominate?
If you are an official representative of the organization you want to nominate, click here.
If you do not represent the organization, click here.
Then simply fill out the short online form.
Can the headquarters be located outside of central IL?
Yes, the organization headquarters may be located anywhere; however, their services must reach at least one of the counties noted in the Rules & Regulations.
Can a nonprofit participate if it doesn’t have a website yet, but is planning to?
Unfortunately, no. Nominees must have an existing website to be eligible.
When does the voting start?
Voting begins Monday, October 17th and closes Sunday, October 30th at midnight.
Can I vote more than once?
Yes! You can vote one time per day per email address. So if you have 3 email addresses, you can vote three times a day for the entire two weeks!
I’d like to advertise this contest on my website – how can I do that?
We have website banners available in 3 standard sizes. Please email us and we’ll send one to you right away.
How will I know if my organization is a top finalist?
If your organization is selected as a finalist, you will be notified by phone by November 1, 2011.
Who makes up the selection committee?
The selection committee is comprised of LRS corporate employees as well as members of the LRS Web Solutions team that will be working on the winner’s site. These individuals have the responsibility of sifting through all the nominations to determine which nominees will be selected as the top ten finalists.
What criteria will be used to select the top ten finalists?
The selection committee will be looking for a variety of criteria to determine the finalists, including how impactful the organization is on the community as a whole, ways online applications could benefit the organization’s abilities to operate, and, since it is a makeover contest, which websites truly are in need of a visual makeover.
How will the winner be determined?
The winner of the $10,000 website will be determined solely by public votes. Whoever gets the most votes by midnight on August 20th will be the winner.
When will the winner’s new website be completed?
The winner’s new site is projected to be completed for February 2012 reveal.
What does the winning site get for $10,000?
The new site will consist of an overall visual update to coordinate with the organization’s existing brand; easy to use navigation and site structure; a content management tool and training to allow the organization to easily and quickly update their site; numerous online applications customized to the winner’s needs, such as an event calendar, a what’s new feed, secure online donations, and much more.
Will the new website be able to be updated by the organization?
Yes, the new site will come with a content management tool that allows the organization to easily make updates as frequently as needed.
What if the winning organization wants more than what is offered in the $10,000 prize?
We are happy to provide whatever the winner organization needs to accomplish their online goals. However, anything beyond the scope of the contract will need to be estimated as a separate project.
Does the winner have to host with LRS Web Solutions?
No, the winner can host their site with anyone. However, for one year, the winner may choose to host with LRS Web Solutions for free.
Are there any other prizes beside the $10,000 website?
There is one 2nd place prize of a Social Media Package, which includes set up and graphics for Facebook and Twitter. And there is one 3rd place prize of an online photo gallery.
Why are you doing this contest?
We recognize the impact nonprofit groups have on our community. Seeing the struggles with finances the past several years, we thought this would be a great time to be able to give back to the organizations that do so much. LRS corporate has a legacy of contributing to the community, and we want to continue that legacy with this contest.
Are all your websites $10,000?
No, our website projects are built to suit your specifications and your needs. Our websites are customized to your business, both in functionality and budgets.
Who is LRS Web Solutions and what do you do?
LRS Web Solutions provides complete website solutions and network support to businesses and organizations. Our service suite includes web design, application development, search engine optimization, multimedia, and hosting. We employ a team of award-winning graphic artists and site developers with a combined average of over 20 years in print, electronic, and media marketing materials. Visit www.lrswebsolutions.com to learn more.
Is there somewhere I can see samples of LRS Web Solutions’ other websites?
A sampling of our recent work can be found at our online portfolio.
Have a question not answered here? Email us now.