CIBC Caribbean is launching its second annual search for quiet, unrecognized community changemakers across its 10-nation regional footprint, announcing a major increase in prize rewards for this year’s top honorees.
First revived in 2025 after a decade-long pause, the bank’s flagship community outreach initiative, the CIBC Caribbean Unsung Heroes programme, drew 39 nominations across a wide range of community service sectors in its debut relaunch year. Mark St Hill, Chief Executive Officer of CIBC Caribbean and Chair of the CIBC Caribbean ComTrust Foundation — the bank’s charitable arm that sponsors the programme — shared that the 2025 relaunch exceeded all expectations, and organizers are preparing for an even more impactful campaign in 2026 focused on lifting up people who work tirelessly without fanfare to improve local communities.
St Hill highlighted the breadth of impact recognized in the programme’s first relaunch year: 2025 Regional Unsung Hero Lucinda Mini Smith from the British Virgin Islands, first runner-up Venetta Zakers from St Kitts and Nevis, and second runner-up Joshuanette Francis from Antigua and Barbuda were joined by dozens of national honorees working across critical causes. These included environmental conservation, support for at-risk youth and marginalized women, food access for unhoused populations, and care for elderly and vulnerable community members.
St Hill emphasized that the contributions of these quiet advocates cannot be quantified, but the bank sought to deliver meaningful, tangible recognition for their work, leading to the decision to boost prize purses for 2026 regional winners. The 2026 Regional Unsung Hero will take home $10,000 USD — double the top prize awarded in 2025. First runner-up will receive $7,000 USD, up from $3,000 USD last year, while second runner-up will get $5,000 USD, a major jump from 2025’s $1,500 USD award. A $1,000 USD bonus prize will also go to the person who nominates the 2026 Regional Unsung Hero.
The 2026 campaign is open to any person aged 10 or older who has driven positive change in their community but has not received widespread public recognition or major formal awards. Nominations can be submitted in two categories: sustained outstanding community service, and an extraordinary act of heroism, bravery, or exceptional kindness completed within the 12 months leading up to the 2026 campaign launch.
The nomination window opens in April 2026 and closes at the end of July 2026. Local national winners will be selected and announced in August, with these national honorees advancing to the regional awards competition. Regional top winners will be named by the end of August 2026. In September, the three top regional honorees and each of their guests will travel to Barbados for a dedicated awards ceremony to present their prizes. Full details on the programme and the nomination process are available on CIBC Caribbean’s official website.