Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan nominees must be:
- Hispanic or Latino ancestry
- An individual with at least two years of community service whose contributions are above and beyond one’s job duties, obligations, or of exceptional benefit to Ohioans
- Ties with a Latino community organization(s)
- An Ohio resident that has performed service of great, tangible benefit to Ohioans
- Of good character and community standing, exhibiting leadership

Latino Military Service of Distinction Award nominees must be:
- Someone who served our country honorably and continues to contribute to
  their community, state, and country in an exemplary manner
- Hispanic or Latino ancestry
- A resident of Ohio or lived in Ohio during military service
- Currently serving or honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces
- Be of good moral character and have no felony convictions

Nuestra Familia Award nominees must be:
- Of ancestry that is NOT Hispanic or Latino
- An individual, company, or other type of organization
- At least two years of community service
- An Ohio-based person or group, that has performed service of exceptional
  benefit to Latino Ohioans
- Of good character and community standing, exhibiting leadership