June 18, 2009: The New York Times Nonprofit Excellence Awards 2009 Winners

On June 18, 2009, the third annual New York Times Nonprofit Excellence Awards were presented to four nonprofit organizations. 

New York Cares was recognized for Overall Management Excellence.  New York Cares (www.nycares.org) meets pressing community needs by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service.

Groundwork, Inc. was recognized for Excellent Management.  Groundwork (www.groundworkinc.org) helps build powerful  youth and powerful communities by educating and supporting children and families in an around public housing.

Vera Institute of Justice also received an award for Excellent Management.  Vera Institute (www.vera.org) uses research, practice and innovation to help improve justice and safety across the United States and around the world. 

Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project received an award for Excellent Communications.  NEDAP (www.nedap.org) promotes community economic justice and the elimination of discriminatory economic practices that harm communities and perpetuate inequality and poverty.

New York Cares, as winner of the Overall Management Excellence award, received a $25,000 cash award.  The other three winners received cash awards of $5,000 each.  The six finalists received a total of $35,000 in scholarships to Social Enterprise Programs in Executive Education at Columbia Business School.

A special recognition was given to two finalists, Citizens Advice Bureau (www.cabny.org), a Bronx based settlement house whose mission is to improve the economic and social well-being of low-income individuals, families and communities, and Legal Information for Families Today (www.liftonline.org), which empowers court involved families with legal information and compassionate guidance so that they can successfully navigate the Family Court system.

In 2007, NPCC and Philanthropy New York joined the Times Company in establishing the program.  All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in and serving New York City, Long Island and Westchester are eligible to apply. 

Additional support for The New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards is provided by the Social Enterprise Programs at Columbia Business School Executive Education, the Surdna Foundation, the Fund for the City of New York, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, The New York Community Trust, the Altman Foundation, The Clark Foundation, The Venable Foundation, Independence Community Foundation and the Hagedorn Foundation.

More information about the awards can be found at at http://nytawards.fcny.org.  A summary of the six finalists strengths can be downloaded at www.npccny.org/info/2009AwardsFinalistsStrengths.pdf.  The guiding principle in the awards, Seven Areas of Nonprofit Excellence, can be found at www.npccny.org/info/7AreasofNonprofitExcellence(2009).pdf.

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May 1, 2009: The New York Times Company Announces the Six Finalists for the Third Annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards

NPCC, Philanthropy New York (formerly New York Regional Association of Grantmakers) and The New York Times Company announced the six finalists for the 2009 New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards.  Now in its third year, the awards honor outstanding management practices and encourage innovation among New York’s large and diverse nonprofit community.  The organizations were chosen by the program’s selection committee for their outstanding management.  The six finalists are:

Citizens Advice Bureau (www.cabny.org), a Bronx based settlement house whose mission is to improve the economic and social well-being of low-income individuals, families and communities.

Groundwork, Inc. (www.groundworkinc.org) supports young people living in high poverty urban areas as they develop their strengths, skills, talents and competencies through effective experiential learning and work programs.

Legal Information for Families Today (www.liftonline.org) empowers court involved families with legal information and compassionate guidance so that they can successfully navigate the Family Court system, regain their stability and decrease the likelihood that they will return to the courts.

Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (www.nedap.org), a resource and advocacy center for community groups in New York City that promotes community economic justice and eliminates discriminatory economic practices that harm communities and perpetuate inequality and poverty.

New York Cares (www.nycares.org) meets pressing community needs by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service to more than 990 nonprofit agencies, public schools and other deserving organizations throughout the  five boroughs.

Vera Institute of Justice (www.vera.org) combines expertise in research, demonstration projects and technical assistance to help leaders in government and civil society improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety.

Up to four winners will be chosen from the six finalists and announced in June 2009.  On June 18, the winners will be honored at an awards reception at TheTimesCenter and will conduct a “best practices workshop” to share their winning management strategies.  To register, go to www.nycharities.org/event/event.asp?CE_ID=3932.

In 2007, NPCC and Philanthropy New York joined the Times Company in establishing the program.  All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in and serving New York City, Long Island and Westchester are eligible to apply. 

Additional support for The New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards is provided by the Surdna Foundation, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, the Fund for the City of New York, Social Enterprise Programs at Columbia Business School Executive Education, The New York Community Trust, the Altman Foundation, The Clark Foundation, The Venable Foundation, and the Hagedorn Foundation.

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February 26, 2009: The New York Times Company Announces the 10 Semifinalists for the Third Annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards

The New York Times Company announced today the 10 semifinalists for the 2009 New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards.  Now in its third year, the awards honor outstanding management practices and encourage innovation and communication among New York’s large and diverse nonprofit community.  In 2007, The Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC) and Philanthropy New York (formerly the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers (NYRAG)) joined the Times Company in the establishment of this program.  All nonprofit organizations based in and serving New York City, Long Island and Westchester are eligible to apply. The application period ended for the 2009 submissions on Nov. 21, 2008.  The organizations, which vary in size and in the types of services they offer the community, were chosen by the program’s selection committee for their outstanding management.

The 10 semifinalists are:

Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) – provides immediate, effective and comprehensive employment services to men and women with recent criminal convictions in New York City.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – is a Bronx based settlement house whose mission is to improve the economic and social well-being of low-income individuals, families and communities.

Food Bank For New York City – works to end food poverty and increase access to affordable and nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers living in the five boroughs.

Groundwork, Inc. – supports young people living in high poverty urban communities as they develop their strengths, skills, talents and competencies through effective experiential learning and work programs.

Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT) – empowers court involved families with legal information and compassionate guidance so that they can successfully navigate the Family Court system, regain their stability and decrease the likelihood that they will return to the courts.

Make the Road New York – promotes economic justice, equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers through community and electoral organizing, strategic policy advocacy, leadership development, youth and adult education and high quality legal and support services.

Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP) – a resource and advocacy center for community groups in New York City; promotes community economic justice and eliminates discriminatory economic practices that harm communities and perpetuate inequality and poverty.

New York Cares – meets pressing community needs by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service to more than 990 nonprofit agencies, public schools and other deserving organizations throughout the five boroughs.

Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) – transforms health care in underserved communities in New York and beyond through high-impact financing, innovative services and policy leadership that helps providers expand access to quality, patient-centered primary care.

Vera Institute of Justice – combines expertise in research, demonstration projects and technical assistance to help leaders in government and civil society improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety.

Up to four winners will be chosen from the 10 semifinalists and announced in June 2009. On June 18, the winners will be honored at an awards reception at TheTimesCenter and will conduct a “best practices workshop” to share their winning management strategies with an invited audience.

Additional support for the program is provided by the Surdna Foundation; McGladrey & Pullen, LLP; the Fund for the City of New York; Social Enterprise Programs at Columbia Business School Executive Education; The New York Community Trust; and the Altman Foundation.

The 2009 guidelines and application forms are at http://nytawards.fcny.org.

About the Awards

The awards are a collaborative effort of the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC) and Philanthropy New York (formerly New York Regional Association of Grantmakers), which joined the Times Company in establishing this program.

Purpose
The Awards: (1) raise public awareness about excellent management in the nonprofit sector; and (2) encourage excellent management and governance by nonprofits themselves.  The program is open to all 501(c)(3) organizations based in and serving the five boroughs of New York City, as well as Suffolk, Nassau and Westchester counties.

Need
The program partners designed the program around the belief that excellent management of nonprofit organizations is crucial to the quality of their services. As nonprofits play a critical role in enriching and improving the lives of people throughout the greater New York City area, the Awards program aims to recognize and encourage strong management, innovation and communication within New York’s large and diverse nonprofit community.

Approach
The application process requires that nonprofits address the seven key areas of nonprofit management below.  The strongest applications are from those organizations where discussion and reflection have been invested by staff, board, volunteers and other stakeholders prior to completing their applications.   

1. Overall management focus on results
2. Governance structure that moves the organization forward
3. Strong, transparent and accountable financial management
4. Inclusive and diverse organizational practices
5. Enlightened use of human and other resources
6. Regular and effective communications
7. Effective, ethical fundraising and resource development

Collaborators & Supporters
The New York Times Company Community Affairs Department, Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, and New York Regional Association of Grantmakers collaborate in presenting the Awards. Additional support is provided by the Surdna Foundation, RSM McGladrey, Inc, the Fund for the City of New York, The Institute for Not-for-Profit Management at Columbia Business School Executive Education, The New York Community Trust, the Altman Foundation, The Clark Foundation, and GoShow Entertainment.  Citi lent its support to the Nonprofit Excellence Awards by underwriting a special section published in The New York Times on July 7, 2008.

2008 Winners

Community Health Action of Staten Island
Harlem RBI, Inc.
Ifetayo Cultural Arts
Institute for Family Health

(Click here to read the Times press release)

Community Health Action of Staten Island — Winner for Overall Management Excellence ($25,000 cash award). Community Health improves the lives of individuals, families and communities challenged by health disparities related to poverty, discrimination and lack of access, through direct service, education and advocacy. The selection committee cited Community Health's successful response to emerging communities by initiating new programs, modifying its mission and actively seeking feedback from clients. (www.siheathaction.org)

Harlem RBI — Winner for Excellent Communications ($5,000 cash award). Harlem RBI uses baseball and softball, and the power of teams, to provide inner-city youth with opportunities to play, to learn, and to grow, inspiring them to recognize their potential and realize their dreams. In addition to communications, the selection committee was impressed with Harlem RBI's board governance and leadership, in particular, its use of a Board Member Report Card that resulted in a 20 percent increase in board attendance. (www.harlemrbi.org)

Ifetayo Cultural Arts — Winner for Excellent Culturally-Based Management Strategies ($5,000 cash award). Ifetayo supports the creative, educational and vocational development of youth and families of African descent. The selection committee noted Ifetayo's strong focus on results and online date-driven tracking system, which allows parents, teachers and community members to track the progress of students. (www.ifetayo.org)

Each of the four winning organizations received a scholarship of $4,500 to be applied toward the The Institute for Not-for-Profit Management at Columbia Business School Executive Education.

Go Show Entertainment graciously donated its services for the 2008 Awards, attending and filming each site visit, and produced a short film highlighting the excellent management practices employed by the four winners. It can be seen at www.goseaentertainment.com/index.php?sub=microdocs#.

The winners of the 2008 Nonprofit Excellence Awards were chosen by a selection committee comprised of influential leaders in New York City’s nonprofit community. Members of the 2008 committee were:
Darren Walker, Rockefeller Foundation, selection committee chair
Victoria Bailey, Theatre Development Fund
Irene Baldwin, Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development
Fran Barrett, Community Resource Exchange
Raphael Bemporad, BBMG Branding
Joyce Bove, The New York Community Trust
Jessica Chao, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Kristin Giantris, Nonprofit Finance Fund
Don Crocker, Support Center for Nonprofit Management
Michael Davidson, Governance Matters
Sean Delany, Lawyers Alliance of New York
Dennis Derryck, Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy
Denise Gray-Felder, Communication for Social Change Consortium
Geoffrey Knox, Geoffrey Knox & Associates
Sandra Lamb, Lamb Advisors
Sr. Paulette LoMonaco, Good Shepherd Services
Lillian Rodríguez-López, Hispanic Federation
Mary McCormick, Fund for the City of New York
Yvonne Moore, Daphne Foundation
Ana Oliveira, New York Women’s Foundation
Michael Park, Robin Hood Foundation
Suvasini Patel, WITNESS
Hilda Polanco, Fiscal Management Associates
Hildy Simmons, Philanthropic Advisory Services
David Terrio, BTQ Financial

2007 Winners

Good Shepherd Services, recognized for Overall Management Excellence; a cash award of $25,000 and a scholarship to the Columbia Business School Institute for Not-for-Profit Management.
Center for Urban Community Services, honored for Excellence in Sustained Impact; $5,000 cash award.
Families United for Racial and Economic Equality, awarded for Excellence in Meeting Emerging Issues; $5,000 cash award.
WITNESS, for Excellence in Communications; $5,000 cash award.