Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?
March 22nd, 2024
WHAT WILL WINNERS RECEIVE?
All entries will receive a certificate. Semifinalists will receive special recognition through their schools and finalists will be invited to an awards celebration.
WHO CAN HELP IF I HAVE TROUBLE ENTERING?
Please send any questions or issues to info@4dads.org.
I WON LAST YEAR, AM I ELIGIBLE TO WIN AGAIN?
Congratulations. Yes, our readers (judges) do not consider previous submissions but remember it should be different from last year and even better because you are now older.
I DON'T HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT. HOW CAN I ENTER?
The video from 2022 below describes how you can enter without a Google account.
WHEN WILL WINNERS BE NOTIFIED?
Semifinalists will be notified in late April and Finalists in late May.
CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE IF MY SCHOOL DOES NOT?
Absolutely, though we ask that parents/legal guardians submit on behalf of children for security reasons. Simply go to the Teacher Essays Submission page and enter your teacher’s name and email, and the student’s information.
MY SIBLING ALREADY WROTE ABOUT MY DAD, MAY I DO SO ALSO?
Yes, write about your own relationship with your father. And both of you are eligible to win!
About IFI
Illinois Fatherhood Initiative
The Illinois Fatherhood Initiative (IFI) is the country’s first state-wide non-profit fatherhood organization. Founded in 1997, the IFI provides resources and programming to help Dads take an active role in the education of their children. Some 24 million children – 1.1 million in Illinois alone – are growing up in fatherless homes. The IFI was founded to address the increasing problem of father absence in society.