John and Jane Shalam
CTA Foundation

The John and Jane Shalam Award to Combat Social Isolation

Nominations are closed

Join us at the CTA Foundation Pitch on Wednesday, January 8, at CES to hear the winner announced!

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation is bringing back the John and Jane Shalam Award for its fourth year to recognize essential and innovative work done to combat social isolation. The Shalam Award honors John and Jane Shalam for their contributions to the consumer technology industry, CTA, and the CTA Foundation. Serving as the Founding Chair, John Shalam worked alongside CTA and the initial Board of Trustees to establish the Foundation’s mission and build its impact, benefiting many who face social isolation challenges. Today, thanks to these efforts, the CTA Foundation has provided over $7.3 million in support to nonprofit organizations across the United States using technology to improve the quality of life of seniors and people with disabilities.

This award emphasizes significant, sustained impact, celebrating the ongoing dedication and achievements of those advancing social connectivity and quality of life, rather than being limited to new innovations alone.


Criteria

The award recipients will be chosen by a panel of judges based on the following criteria, recognizing impactful contributions to reducing social isolation:

  • Enduring Contribution – Emphasis on sustained, long-term impact in addressing social isolation rather than solely new innovations.
  • Impact – The degree to which the work of the nominee has created lasting and meaningful change in reducing social isolation.
  • Information – The extent to which the nominee has raised awareness about social isolation and its challenges. 

Nomination Process

How to Nominate: Individuals may submit one entry per nominee online via the form on the CTA Foundation website. Those nominating must complete all required information and follow these Official Rules. No third-party or sweepstakes service entries are permitted. Both individuals and organizations (including companies, universities, and nonprofits) are eligible, and individuals may nominate themselves.

Deadline: Award nominations begin at 12:00 AM EST on October 30, 2024, and close at 11:59 PM EST on November 21, 2024. 

Judging

A committee consisting of CTA Foundation Trustees and partners will evaluate the nominations to select the Shalam Award based on a nominee's innovation, impact, and scale.

Winners

The CTA Foundation will feature the winner at an event and publicize them through media engagement and social media. 

The CTA Foundation will feature the winner at CES in January and publicize them through traditional and social media. 

The winner will receive a $10,000 prize.

Previous Winners

2021
Self help Virtual Senior Center
2022
Tom Kamber, Executive Director of Older Adults Technology Services
2024
Lighthouse Guild