The Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 2007 to recognize individuals who provide exceptional service as FGG volunteers. It is awarded to one man and one woman each year at the FGG Annual Meeting.

A nominee should have contributed by his or her work to the execution of the tasks and projects of the FGG, and in so doing, gone beyond the normal tasks and duties of a member of the FGG community. A nominee must have served for at least one year as an FGG volunteer. A volunteer from a Gay Games host who has collaborated closely with the FGG may also be nominated.

This award is symbolised by the Cape Town Cup that is presented at Annual Meeting. The Cape Town Cup is a gift to the FGG from the mayor of Cape Town presented at the Civic Dinner offered by the City of Cape Town at the 2008 Annual Meeting.

Those honoured also receive a certificate and an FGG Medal of Honour.

Past Volunteers of the Year:

• 2007: Marc Naimark (Paris)
• 2008: Joseph Pasquarella Smith (Seattle)
• 2009: Hlengiwe Buthelezi (Durban) and Ian McMahon (Cape Town)
• 2010 (Games Cologne volunteers): Philip Lischke (Sydney) and Barbara Strewinski (Cologne)
• 2010 (FGG volunteers): Roz Quarto (New York City) and Jason Stone (Seattle)
• 2011: Kate Rowe (Sydney), Israel Wright (Chicago)