Media Release
Contact: Brenda Kanno, VP of Communications
news@fbincaaa.org

FBI NATIONAL CITIZENS ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2026 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

(St. Petersburg, Florida; March 20, 2026) – FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBI National CAAA) is pleased to recognize ten affiliate Chapters with Awards of Excellence for 2026. The awards honor FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association Chapters for outstanding performance in support of the FBI’s mission and community outreach goals.

Awards of Excellence were presented in five categories:

• Excellence in Alumni Engagement. This award is presented to Chapters that demonstrate remarkable effectiveness in engaging and mobilizing alumni in purposeful initiatives to support the FBI’s goals. This year’s recipients were FBI Charlotte Citizens Academy Alumni Association (CAAA) and FBI Knoxville CAAA.
• Excellence in Community Outreach. The award recognizes exemplary community education and outreach programs developed and led by Chapters in alignment with FBI priorities. The 2026 honorees were FBI Pittsburgh CAAA and FBI San Diego CAAA.
• Excellence in Community Partnerships. The award honors Chapters that exemplify outstanding commitment and innovation in forging collaborations with local, state, and national organizations in support of their community outreach goals. FBI New York CAAA, FBI Newark CAAA, and FBI San Diego CAAA were the 2026 recipients.
• Excellence in Innovation. The Excellence in Innovation Award is bestowed upon Chapters that distinguish themselves through visionary and inventive strategies in community outreach achieved through collaboration with the FBI. The 2026 recipient is FBI Newark CAAA.
• Excellence in Philanthropy This award honors Chapters who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to philanthropy and community service. The 2026 recipients were FBI Boston CAAA and FBI Knoxville CAAA.

“Awards of Excellence acknowledge the achievements of FBI National CAAA Chapters and individuals that produce exceptional results in outreach programming,” said Kelly Lopez, Acting President of FBI National CAAA. “The awardees personify the highest standards and principles of the FBI and the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association partnership.”

Download Media Release

*  *  *

FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBINCAAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that works in partnership with the FBI to promote public safety and security through community engagement, education, and outreach initiatives. Founded in 2005, the National organization provides training, resources, and governance oversight for 56 local FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association Chapters representing more than 53,000 business, civic, religious, and community leaders across the U.S., Guam, and Puerto Rico.