Awards won by Dean Nelson
2016 — First Place, Evangelical Press Association, for monthly column in Refreshed Magazine
2014 — First Place, Magazine Category, San Diego Press Club, for story in San Diego Magazine on Honor Flights: “My Father the Hero”
2012 — First Place, Magazine Category, San Diego Press Club, for story in San Diego Magazine about Vicente Fox: “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”
2010 — First Place, Nonfiction Book Category, San Diego Christian Writers and Editors Guild, for “God Hides in Plain Sight”
2008 — Best of Show, San Diego Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, for story in San Diego Magazine on dysfunction in city government: “Uncivil War at City Hall”
2008 — First Place, Investigative Magazine Category, San Diego Press Club, for story in San Diego Magazine on dysfunction in city government: “Uncivil War at City Hall”
2006 — First Place, Nonfiction Category, San Diego Book Awards, for “The Power of Serving Others”
2003 — First Place, Magazine Category, San Diego Press Club
1997 — First Place, Nonfiction Category, San Diego Book Awards, for “Heart and Soul: Awakening Your Passion to Serve”
1994 — First Place, Special Projects Category, San Diego Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
1989 — Eagle Award, CINE Society, for screenplay
1987 — First Place Media Award, San Diego County Bar Association for newspaper series in San Diego Daily Transcript
1987 — James Julian Community Service Award, San Diego Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, for newspaper series in San Diego Daily Transcript.