The Watermarks
CIFA SRF Leadership Awards
Shining a Light On the Best of the SRFs
The Watermarks recognize the people, ideas, and contributions that strengthen the State Revolving Fund community, advance the profession, and support the continued success of water infrastructure financing across the country. The awards complement other important recognition within the water infrastructure community, which celebrate outstanding water infrastructure projects. The Watermarks offer a different opportunity: to recognize the individuals and teams behind the work whose leadership, innovation, collaboration, and service are helping SRF programs succeed.
Finalists will be announced prior to the CIFA SRF Workshop, with award recipients revealed during a special presentation at the Monday evening reception. The Watermarks are designed to be a celebratory part of the evening and an opportunity for the SRF community to recognize colleagues and peers who are making a meaningful impact.
2026 Details
Deadline
Submit a nomination by October 14th
Finalists
Announced by October 21st
Winners
Announced and celebrated on November 16th at the CIFA SRF Workshop Reception
Categories
SRF Leader of the Year
An individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the SRF community during the past year. This could be a state SRF director, senior staff member or another professional whose work has meaningfully strengthened the program or profession.
Rising Star Award
An emerging SRF professional who is relatively new to the field and has already demonstrated leadership, initiative and a commitment to the future of the SRFs.
CIFA Service Award
This honor recognizes extraordinary service to CIFA through committees, presentations, peer engagement, advocacy, professional development or other contributions to the organization and its members.
SRF Unsung Hero Award
The person behind the scenes who makes the program work. This could recognize someone in finance, administration, engineering review, compliance, data, communications or another role who may not normally receive national recognition.
Better Way Award
Recognizes a person or team that found a smarter, simpler or more effective way to handle an SRF process or challenge. The emphasis is on how the SRF program operates, rather than the infrastructure project itself.
Knowledge in Action Award
Someone who has gone above and beyond to share knowledge with the broader SRF community through mentoring, training, presentations, tools, templates, peer assistance or other resources.
Affiliate Member of the Year Award
Honors a CIFA Affiliate Member who has shown outstanding support within the organization.
SRF Lifetime Achievement Award
CIFA’s highest individual honor, presented selectively to someone whose career has had a lasting impact on the SRF community nationally. Nominated exclusively by the CIFA Executive Committee.
"Call Them First" Award
Every professional community has those people. When another state encounters something weird, complicated or completely new, this is the person everyone calls. The award would recognize an SRF professional who has become an invaluable resource to colleagues across state lines because of their knowledge, generosity and willingness to help.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Partner
$9995 - Exclusive
The Presenting Partner will make a significant contribution to the Watermarks, an all-new recognition program for the SRF community.
- Top-tier logo/name recognition on the Watermarks webpage, Jumbo Tron at the event, social media, event graphics, marketing emails and awards materials
- Recognition in finalist communications
- Opening-stage acknowledgment during the awards presentation
- Logo on awards presentation screens and signage
- Recognition on the cover of and a two-page ad spread in the event program
- Opportunity to present a key award
- VIP table at the event
- Special signage at the event reflecting your partnership
- Up to 10 team members may attend
Cocktail Partner
$7995 - Exclusive
Everyone loves the Cocktail Sponsor! The bar will be open at the awards event, thanks to our Watermarks Cocktail Partner.
- Company Logo on Bar Napkins & Stir Sticks
- Recognition on the Watermarks webpage, JumboTron at the event, social media, marketing emails and awards materials
- Recognition in finalist communications
- Opening-stage acknowledgement during awards presentation
- Full-page ad in the event program
- Up to 7 team members may attend
Entertainment Parnter
$6995 - Exclusive
This sponsor underwrites whatever we ultimately decide to do for entertainment at PPG Paints Arena—live music, Pittsburgh-themed entertainment, interactive experience, etc.
- Recognition on the Watermarks webpage, JumboTron at the event, social media, marketing emails and awards materials
- Ability to announce entertainment and special signage near entertainer
- Recognition on finalist emails
- Opening-stage acknowledgement during awards presentation
- Full-page ad in event program
- Up to 5 team members may attend
Media Partner
$5995 - Exclusive
The Media & Memories Partner will help CIFA capture the stories, photos and memories of the Watermarks. This sponsorship will help CIFA cover the cost of a professional photographer. The inclusion of your logo on the step-and-repeat backdrop will ensure that your company received recognition long after the event.
- Logo/name recognition on the Watermarks webpage, JumboTron at the event, social media, event graphics, marketing emails and awards materials
- Recognition on finalist emails
- Opening-stage acknowledgement during the awards presentation
- Logo on the step-and-repeat signage created for the event
- Full-page ad in the event program
- Up to 3 team members may attend