New Opportunity Offers Nonprofits Feedback, Recognition – and $60,000 in Prize Money
New York, NY - March 5, 2015 - New York area nonprofits have a chance to compete for $60,000 in prize money in a program that recognizes best management practices. The 2015 New York Community Trust Nonprofit Excellence Awards program, which launched today, also gives expert feedback to all New York City, Long Island and Westchester nonprofits that apply.
“With so many pressing problems in New York and the suburbs, we need well-run nonprofits,” said Lorie Slutsky, president of The New York Community Trust, one of the region’s leading funders of nonprofits. “Our Excellence Awards program recognizes the importance of strong management and rewards those organizations that are leading the way. “
Now in its ninth year, the Awards program has attracted more than 630 applicants from across the city and its suburbs. The Excellence Awards recognize outstanding management practices in eight key performance areas identified by thousands of nonprofit leaders across the country. The 2015 application deadline is May 1.
A committee of more than 30 experts selects the winning nonprofits after a three-stage process that includes a thorough review of each organization’s management practices and detailed feedback on their strengths and weaknesses. In a survey of past applicants, 97 percent found the program helpful in improving their organization’s management.
“More than simply a chance for prize money, the Excellence Awards process is a unique opportunity for nonprofits to improve their management practices, thanks to the selection committee’s expert guidance,” said Michael Clark, president of the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee (NPCC). “The result is better outcomes for the people and causes that these nonprofits serve.”
Since the first Nonprofit Excellence Awards in 2007, 26 organizations have won prizes. A list of past winners is available at http://npexcellence.fcny.org/npea/winners/. In past years, one organization each from the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island has won. Three winning organizations are based in Westchester, six in Brooklyn, and 14 in Manhattan. No group from Long Island has won yet.
The eight areas of management excellence are: management focus on results, governance structure, financial management, diverse and culturally competent organizational practices, human resources, top performing IT practices, model communications, and fundraising and resource development.
Organizations considering applying are encouraged to attend one of five Application Clinics, where they can ask questions about the New York Community Trust Nonprofit Excellence Awards and learn about the selection process. Registration is required at www.npccny.org/workshop.htm to attend one of the following clinics:
March 18, 2015 – NPCC, Manhattan
March 19, 2015 – Bronxville Public Library, Westchester
March 27, 2015 – Adelphi University, Long Island
April 1, 2015 – ART/NY South Oxford Space, Brooklyn
April 2, 2015 – Baruch College, Manhattan
NPCC created the Nonprofit Excellence Awards in 2007 and serves as the tax-exempt manager of the program, in collaboration with The New York Community Trust and Philanthropy New York. WNYC co-sponsors the program, which is also supported by The Clark Foundation, Ford Foundation, Google, McGladrey LLP, and Columbia Business School Executive Education Programs in Social Enterprise.
Three winning organizations will be honored at the Awards presentation in November, 2015. Each will receive a cash award, recognition by WNYC, and tuition scholarships for the Columbia Business School Executive Education Programs in Social Enterprise.
“Savvy funders know that well run and well managed nonprofits make for better partners – these awards highlight those organizations,” added Philanthropy New York President Ronna Brown.
The 2015 application guidelines and application form are available online at npexcellence.fcny.org. More about the Nonprofit Excellence Awards, including the Awards’ guiding document, Eight Key Areas of Nonprofit Excellence; past winners; funders; and Selection Committee members, is available atwww.npccny.org/info/awards.htm.