Official Rules

The Inspired By Their Stories Award is sponsored by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation and is open to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations serving society’s most vulnerable in one (1) of the following four focus areas:

  • Care for Others — including mental health, behavioral health, physical health, services for people with disabilities, veterans, youth, and other vulnerable populations
  • Education – including everything from K-12 education, afterschool programs, college, and trade and vocational training
  • Hunger & Thirst — providing access to food and efforts to improve access to clean drinking water
  • Shelter – providing housing to vulnerable populations

Organizations may submit only one (1) entry and may enter only one (1) category. Multiple submissions across categories are not permitted.

Submission Requirements
  • One written story of no more than 500 words
  • Story must describe the organization’s work in one selected focus area
  • Submissions may include supporting images and/or one short video
  • Organizations are encouraged to share measurable outcomes or results demonstrating impact
Submission Deadline
  • March 31, 2026
Finalist & Public Engagement Process
  • Five (5) finalists will be selected in each category
  • Finalists will be announced between April 27 and April 30, 2026, on the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation’s official social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn
    • April 27th – Care For Others Finalists
    • April 28th – Education Finalists
    • April 29th – Hunger & Thirst Finalists
    • April 30th – Shelter Finalists
  • A seven (7) day public engagement period will run from April 27 through May 7, 2026
Social Media Participation Requirement

As a condition of participation, applicants and finalists must follow the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation’s official social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn, for the duration of the Award process.

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification at the sole discretion of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

Public Engagement Rules
  • Public engagement is measured by likes only
  • Comments, shares, reposts, or other interactions do not count
  • Engagement results for each category will be compiled and provided to the Pulte Family
  • Public engagement does not automatically determine a winner and serves to inform final award selections
Final Selection & Awards
  • From the five (5) finalists in each category, one organization will be selected as the category winner
  • Among the four category winners, one organization will be named the Overall Inspired By Their Stories Award Winner
  • Awards:
    • One Overall Winner: $25,000 charitable donation
    • Three additional category winners: $5,000 charitable donation each
  • All award recipients are selected by members of the Pulte Family
Announcement
  • Award recipients will be announced on May 16, 2026, commemorating the birthday of our founder, William J. Pulte.
General Conditions
  • Verify eligibility, impact claims, submission materials, and compliance with these Official Rules
  • Disqualify submissions that do not comply with these Official Rules
  • Modify timelines or procedures if necessary to maintain the integrity of the Award