How does AARP choose award nominees? A deep dive into the selection process

Oct 20, 2025 2 min read •

Non-profit Community Service Awards

According to AARP's official rules for its Purpose Prize, applications undergo a four-round review process that includes vetting by external reviewers and a final executive decision. This rigorous approach is indicative of how does AARP choose award nominees across its various programs, which are designed to honor excellence in community service, social innovation, and entertainment for an older demographic.

Quick Summary

AARP uses a multi-tiered selection process involving internal and external reviewers, specific eligibility requirements, and alignment with its core mission. The criteria and nomination procedures vary significantly by award program, such as the Purpose Prize and Andrus Award.

Key Points

Multi-Tiered Review: The selection process for major AARP awards, like the Purpose Prize, involves multiple rounds of review by internal staff, external experts, and distinguished juries to ensure fairness and a comprehensive evaluation.
Award-Specific Criteria: AARP has different criteria for each award. The Purpose Prize focuses on the measurable social impact and sustainability of a founder's non-profit, while the Andrus Award recognizes outstanding volunteer community service.
Public vs. Internal Nomination: The source of nominations varies by award. The Andrus Award accepts public nominations from a variety of sources, whereas the Purpose Prize is based on self-applications from founders. The Movies for Grownups Awards are selected internally.
Expert Judging Panels: For its most prestigious awards, AARP assembles independent and diverse panels of jurors to evaluate candidates.
Mission Alignment: Selection for AARP awards considers how well a nominee's work or a film aligns with AARP's mission of empowering people to choose how they live as they age.
AARP Executive Oversight: All major award selections require final approval from an AARP executive.
Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion: The Purpose Prize review process is committed to principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

AARP manages multiple award programs, each with specific criteria and a structured process for selecting nominees and winners. These awards recognize individuals and projects that align with AARP's goal of empowering people to live purposefully as they age. The selection methods are thorough and aim to ensure that deserving candidates who meet the requirements are acknowledged.

The AARP Purpose Prize selection process

The Purpose Prize honors individuals aged 50 and older who have established non-profit organizations addressing societal challenges. A detailed outline of the multi-round process can be found on {Link: AARP Purpose Prize Rules page https://www.purposeprize.org/a/page/Rules}. Evaluation emphasizes measurable social impact and organizational sustainability.

Andrus Award for Community Service nomination and selection

The Andrus Award is AARP's top volunteer honor for individuals 50 and older demonstrating exceptional community service. The process relies heavily on nominations submitted to state AARP offices. Nominees must be 50+, their work unpaid and non-partisan, and aligned with AARP's mission. State offices and committees review nominations based on community improvement and inspiration and announce winners.

Movies for Grownups Awards selection process

AARP The Magazine manages the selection for the Movies for Grownups Awards, focusing on films and television appealing to the 50+ demographic. AARP editors and critics review relevant content internally and announce nominees and winners.

Comparison of AARP award selection processes


Feature	AARP Purpose Prize	Andrus Award for Community Service	Movies for Grownups Awards
Nomination Source	Self-application by founders.	Public nomination.	Internal selection by AARP The Magazine editors.
Judging Body	External reviewers, staff, and national jury.	State committees and directors.	Internal editorial team.
Key Criteria	Social impact, sustainability, founder's experience.	Volunteer service, community improvement, inspiration, mission alignment.	Entertainment value, mature themes, relevance to 50+ audience.
Eligibility	50+, founded non-profit at 40+, active in organization.	50+, unpaid and non-partisan work.	Films/TV series released during eligibility.
Final Approval	AARP executive.	AARP state directors.	AARP The Magazine editorial decision.

Conclusion

In summary, how does AARP choose award nominees varies by program but involves a structured process. For awards like the Purpose Prize and Andrus Award, a multi-tiered system with external input, internal review, and specific criteria ensures a thorough evaluation. The Purpose Prize highlights social innovation and impact, while the Andrus Award honors volunteerism. The Movies for Grownups Awards rely on the editorial expertise of AARP The Magazine to select content relevant to its audience. These processes collectively support AARP's mission and celebrate the achievements of older adults and relevant entertainment.

For more information on the AARP Purpose Prize, visit aarp.org/purposeprize.

Frequently Asked Questions

For some awards, like the Purpose Prize, applicants must be the founders of the organization for which they are applying and must apply directly. For the Andrus Award, however, nominations can be made by others or through public submission to the state office.

No, AARP membership does not impact the selection process. For awards like the Purpose Prize and Andrus Award, an applicant's or nominee's membership status does not affect their eligibility or chances of winning.

Nominees and winners for the Movies for Grownups Awards are selected by the editorial team at AARP The Magazine. The criteria focus on films and TV shows that appeal to the 50+ audience.

The key criteria for the Purpose Prize include the organization's measurable social impact (20 points), its long-term sustainability (20 points), and how the founder's over-50 experience influenced their approach (10 points).

Nominations for the Andrus Award can be submitted by AARP members, volunteers, community partners, and the public at large. AARP staff and selection committee members cannot submit nominations.

Yes, AARP uses different selection processes for each award program. The Purpose Prize involves a multi-round application-based review, the Andrus Award uses public nominations for state-level review, and the Movies for Grownups Awards are selected internally by magazine editors.

The age requirements vary by award. For the Purpose Prize, the founder must be 50+ and have started their non-profit at age 40 or later. For the Andrus Award, nominees must be 50+ at the time of nomination.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.