MYCVA – Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award
Community Volunteer Programs

Minoru Yasui
Community
Volunteer Award

Honoring everyday heroes who make Denver extraordinary.

Minoru Yasui's life was a testament to civil rights and justice for all. The award bearing his name celebrates the volunteers who carry that spirit forward — one act of service at a time.

Nominate a Volunteer Make a Contribution
$1M+
Distributed to Nonprofits
520+
Nonprofits Supported
10×
Awards Per Year
About the Award

A legacy of service & justice

"His entire life was committed to the defense of human and civil rights, and justice for all."
Minoru Yasui courageously stood against the forced imprisonment of over 110,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Educated as an attorney, he served as Executive Director of the Denver Commission on Community Relations for 16 years before his passing in 1986.
$2,000
Cash award per recipient designated to a nonprofit of their choice.

The Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award is presented ten times a year, honoring men and women who make unique and lasting contributions to the Denver community.

Any person of any age who lives in the seven-county Metro Denver area is eligible. Nominations are reviewed by a select committee of metropolitan area citizens representing a broad cross-section of backgrounds, interests, and occupations.

Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Seven-County Metro Denver Any Age Eligible Ongoing Nominations 10 Awards / Year
Nominate

Know an outstanding volunteer?

Volunteers are the heart of our community and a precious resource to nonprofit organizations. Nominations are easy — choose the format that works best for you.

Digital Nomination Form
Complete our online form — the fastest way to nominate. Takes about 10 minutes.
Submit Online
Printable Nomination Form
Prefer pen and paper? Download and print our nomination form to submit by mail or drop-off.
Download PDF
Need Help Nominating?
Questions about the process or eligibility? Reach out! We're happy to walk you through it.
Contact Us
Eligibility & Process

How the nomination process works

The MYCVA Committee selects recipients based on the extraordinary impact volunteers have on the communities and organizations they serve.

1
Anyone can nominate
Any resident of the seven-county Metro Denver area may nominate a volunteer, regardless of age or affiliation.
2
Ongoing submissions
Nominations are accepted year-round and reviewed by a select committee of community citizens on a rolling basis.
3
$2,000 to their cause
Each recipient receives a $2,000 cash award to designate directly to a nonprofit agency of their choice.
4
Ten honored each year
The award is presented ten times annually, spotlighting volunteers across a diverse range of organizations and causes.
Support the volunteers
who power our community.
Your contribution helps fund $2,000 awards for outstanding volunteers across the Denver metro area. Every dollar goes directly to supporting the nonprofits volunteers love most.
Donate Now Nominate a Volunteer
To submit a donation by mail, please send checks or money orders payable to "Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award" to 99 Inverness Drive E, Suite 130, Centennial, CO 80112.
MYCVA 2025 Photo Collage
Class of 2025

Congratulations to our 2025 Award Recipients

Cori Jackamore
Denver Public Library
Diane Peck
Three Birds Alliance
Cody Phifer
Denver Children's Foundation
Laura Guthals
Covenant Cupboard Food Pantry
Terri Seim
ALS United Rocky Mountain
Jen Frenkel
South High Giving Grocery
Ashton Chapman
Struggle of Love
Mike Chapman
Shalom Park
Burna Dunn
English Learning Center
Stephen Franklin
SAME Cafe