Richard E. Herman Leadership Award
Richard E. Herman Leadership Award
The Richard E. Herman Leadership Award is an opportunity to lift up the innovative, creative, and committed work of emerging leaders, encouraging and honoring them with this prestigious award.
This year, we want to recognize the commitment and service of one Christian leader interrupting the cycles of poverty, violence, and inequality in the United States, whether through their professional work or as a volunteer. This focus is driven by an understanding that Jesus’ life, ministry, and teachings were incarnational. He lived among the people, with those on the margins of society, sharing in their suffering and pain, but also desiring and bringing about reconciliation and shalom.
About the Award
Who We Are Looking For
The Richard E. Herman Leadership Award is an opportunity to lift up the innovative, creative, and committed work of emerging leaders, encouraging and honoring them with this prestigious award.
The Leadership Award recognizes the commitment and service of one Christian leader interrupting the cycles of poverty, violence, and inequality in the United States, whether through their professional work or as a volunteer. This focus is driven by an understanding that Jesus’ life, ministry, and teachings were incarnational. He lived among the people, with those on the margins of society, sharing in their suffering and pain, but also desiring and bringing about reconciliation and shalom.
The honoree will receive public recognition and a cash award of $4,000 from We Raise Foundation.
The 2023 Application Period has Ended.
The application process is now open. Applications and nominations will be accepted until July 14, 2023. Leaders of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
The honoree will be an emerging Christian leader between 20 and 35 years of age whose professional or volunteer efforts are interrupting the cycles that perpetuate poverty, violence, and inequality in the United States.
The Leadership Award seeks to highlight a leader who works tirelessly for the good of their community. This is someone who cares deeply about the injustices experienced by their neighbors and works alongside people for solutions that transform communities. This award recognizes a leader who has spent significant time in the community, listening, developing, and growing together. Rooted in the Gospel, this leader’s work is a reflection of their love for Jesus to recognize the Imago Dei in their neighbors.
The honoree will be an effective leader with an understanding of the challenges of systemic poverty. We will value realistic and authentic approaches to solutions that are informed by the wisdom and experience of the local community and grounded in the assets of that community.
More Information
How To Apply
Who is We Raise Foundation? We Raise Foundation, formerly Wheat Ridge Ministries, has a long history of equipping bold Christian leaders as they serve the needs of their community. The primary way we do this is through our two grant programs. Our Emerging Leader Grant program, which is specifically focused on projects led by young adults, has awarded 101 grants in excess of $800,000 in the past nine years.
Who is Richard E. Herman? Richard E. Herman served as the fourth president of We Raise Foundation, formerly Wheat Ridge Ministries, from 2006-2015. He joined Wheat Ridge in 1992 as vice president and was appointed vice president/chief operating officer in 2002. Rick’s enthusiasm for and commitment to emerging leaders in his work continues on at We Raise Foundation through this award.
The 2023 Application Period has Ended.
The application will be available until July 14, 2023. Leaders of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants must submit an essay when they apply addressing the four questions below (5200 character limit). Competitive submissions include stories and specific numbers to describe the scope of the work.
- Who are you? (Include your name, location, age and your work).
- How has your service and leadership within your community interrupted the cycle of poverty, violence and inequality?
- Share details or stories of the changes you’ve helped lead
- Examples could be: creative problem-solving, a new approach, or narrative shift
- How is this work a reflection of your calling to follow Jesus?
- What inspires you to continue this work?
Nominate a Leader
Do you know a leader that is a fit for this award? Nominate them and we will send them an email to request they apply.
Questions? Please contact our Programs Department at leadershipaward@weraise.org or 800.762.6748.
The Richard E. Herman Leadership Award is an opportunity to lift up the innovative, creative, and committed work of emerging leaders, encouraging and honoring them through a monetary award and support resources.
This year, we want to recognize the commitment and service of one Christian leader interrupting the cycles of poverty, violence, and inequality in the United States, whether through their professional work or as a volunteer. This focus is driven by an understanding that Jesus’ life, ministry, and teachings were incarnational. He lived among the people, with those on the margins of society, sharing in their suffering and pain, but also desiring and bringing about reconciliation and shalom.
About The Award
In recognition of their leadership to interrupt cycles of poverty, violence, and inequality, the honoree will receive public recognition and a cash award of $4,000 from We Raise Foundation.
The 2023 Application Period has Ended.
The application process is now open. Applications and nominations will be accepted until July 14, 2023. Leaders of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Who We Are Looking For
The honoree will be an emerging Christian leader between 20 and 35 years of age whose professional or volunteer efforts are interrupting the cycles that perpetuate poverty, violence, and inequality in the United States.
The Leadership Award seeks to highlight a leader who works tirelessly for the good of their community. This is someone who cares deeply about the injustices experienced by their neighbors and works alongside people for solutions that transform communities. This award recognizes a leader who has spent significant time in the community, listening, developing, and growing together. Rooted in the Gospel, this leader’s work is a reflection of their love for Jesus to recognize the Imago Dei in their neighbors.
The honoree will be an effective leader with an understanding of the challenges of systemic poverty. We will value realistic and authentic approaches to solutions that are informed by the wisdom and experience of the local community and grounded in the assets of that community.
More Information
Who is We Raise Foundation? We Raise Foundation, formerly Wheat Ridge Ministries, has a long history of equipping bold Christian leaders as they serve the needs of their community. The primary way we do this is through our two grant programs. Our Emerging Leader Grant program, which is specifically focused on ministries led by young adults, has awarded 92 grants in excess of $730,000 in the past eight years.
Who is Richard E. Herman? Richard E. Herman served as the fourth president of We Raise Foundation, formerly Wheat Ridge Ministries, from 2006-2015. He joined Wheat Ridge in 1992 as vice president and was appointed vice president/chief operating officer in 2002. Rick’s enthusiasm for and commitment to emerging leaders in his work continues on through this award.
How To Apply
The 2023 Application Period has Ended.
The application will be available until July 14, 2023. Leaders of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants must submit an essay when they apply addressing the four questions below (5200 character limit). Competitive submissions include stories and specific numbers to describe the scope of the work.
- Who are you? (Include your name, location, age and your work).
- How has your service and leadership within your community interrupted the cycle of poverty, violence and inequality?
- Share details or stories of the changes you’ve helped lead
- Examples could be: creative problem-solving, a new approach, or narrative shift
- How is this work a reflection of your calling to follow Jesus?
- What inspires you to continue this work?
Nominate a Leader
Do you know a leader that is a fit for this award? Nominate them and we will send them an email to request they apply.
Questions? Please contact our Program Department via email at leadershipaward@weraise.org or call 800.762.6748.
2019 Expert Panel

Justin Beene
Director and Founder
Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation

Cliff Nellis
ExecutiveDirector
Lawndale Christian Legal Center

Meghan Sobocienski
Executive Director
Grace in Action

Michelle Warren
Advocacy and Strategic Engagement Director
Christian Community Development Association

Rozella White
RHW Consulting
Past Recipients

2022
Raquel Patterson


2021
Jerome Harris


2020
Derrick Braziel

2019
Niki Wong

2018
Olivia Ojeda

2017
Justin Beene
