Events

2025 What's Right with the Region Awards

Each year, FOCUS applauds the efforts of the individuals, organizations and initiatives making a positive difference in the St. Louis region with our What's Right With the Region Awards.

Since 1998, FOCUS has recognized more than 500 honorees, all nominated by the community and chosen by leaders in our region.

Nominations are now open for our 28th Annual What's Right with the Region Awards and are due by 11:59 PM on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. Save the date for the Awards Celebration on May 15, 2025!

Submit a Nomination

Nominations

Nominations for our 2025 What's Right with the Region Awards are now open! All nominations are due by 11:59 PM on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.

All in the community are invited to submit nominations of organizations, individuals and initiatives in the following five categories:

Demonstrating Innovative Solutions: Honorees in this category have demonstrated innovation and vision in making the St. Louis region a better place to live, work or visit.

Improving Equity and Inclusion: Honorees have shown a commitment to promoting diversity, access, inclusion and opportunity for all.

Promoting Community Health and Well-being: Honorees are working to improve the collective health and wellness of our region’s residents, as well as addressing the social determinants of health.

Emerging Initiatives: Honorees are promising new businesses, organizations or initiatives that are already serving as catalysts for change.

Community Changemakers: Honorees are individuals leading and inspiring change in their organizations, their community and/or our region for the benefit of all. (Note: this category is only open to individuals.)

Judging

Our annual What's Right with the Region honorees are both nominated and selected by the community.

FOCUS members, alumni and community members are all welcome to participate on our selection committee.

As a judge, you will be assigned to one of the five categories and will be provided with instructions and entries to review/score the week prior. Committee members then come together on Feb. 13, 2025, to finalize the award recipients.

Learn more and volunteer here.

Awards Celebration

Mark your calendars for one of the most inspiring events of the year!

Thursday, May 15, 2025
5:00-6:30 p.m. - Networking Reception
6:30-8:00 p.m. - Awards Celebration
Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis

During this event, we will recognize our 2025 What's Right with the Region honorees, including our FOCUS Leadership Award and Alumni Award recipients. With

Tickets will go on sale in the spring.

As a nonprofit, this event represents FOCUS' most important fundraising event of the year. Your ticket purchase supports our mission to provide diverse leaders with the civic awareness and powerful connections needed to be collaborative changemakers who advance a thriving region for all.

Sponsorships

What’s Right with the Region has a tremendous impact on FOCUS St. Louis and on the organizations and people we honor each year, and meaningful partnerships make all the difference.

A What's Right with the Region sponsorship is a unique opportunity to build stronger community ties, promote your business, and be intimately associated with one of the most well-known civic leadership organizations in the country.

For more information on sponsorships and benefits, please contact Michelle Stevens, Director of Development, at michelles@focus-stl.org or (314) 657-4029.

Past Honorees