Top 10 Myths...and Truths...

...about The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management

If you are considering applying for the 2010 Award (applications due December 7), here are a few myths and truths to keep in mind!

#10
MYTH: My organization can win if we have one example of excellence in nonprofit management.
TRUTH: Winners show examples of excellence in nonprofit management in many areas.

#9
MYTH: My organization applied before and did not make it out of round one or round two; we don’t have a chance. We should never apply again.
TRUTH: It takes most organizations several years to nurture and grow in their management practices. Applying for the award for several years is welcomed…especially if your management practices strengthen during that period.

#8
MYTH: Great programs and services will compensate for only so-so management practices.
TRUTH: This program rewards excellence in nonprofit management. Program information is useful only when it provides context for management achievements.

#7
MYTH: The selection committee only likes new/established, small/large, or local/national scope organizations.
TRUTH: The selection committee seeks excellence in nonprofit management – no mater the organization’s age, size or community served.

#6
MYTH: An organization must have gone through a major crisis or turnaround in order to win.
TRUTH: The selection committee values organizations with consistent solid management, as well as organizations that grow and prosper after a management crisis.

#5
MYTH: My organization is not widely known; we can’t win.
TRUTH: The selection committee considers what is written on the application, rather than the organization’s name or stature in the community.

#4
MYTH: It’s too much work to complete the application for so little return.
TRUTH: Past participants who have recognized the value of self-assessment benefited from the process; the application feedback adds even greater value.

#3
MYTH: The selection committee knows who is going to win even before they see the applications.
TRUTH: Each year, the selection committee’s choice is based on the information included in the submitted applications.

#2
MYTH: If one type of organization won last year, it will not win this year.
TRUTH: Program area is not a consideration in the decision-making process of the selection committee

#1
MYTH: We can complete the application quickly, so we don’t need to allow too much time to write and submit the application.
TRUTH: The strongest applications are from those organizations whose staff, board, volunteers and other stakeholders have invested time in discussion and reflection prior to completing the application. The questions in The Washington Post Award application can spur on this work.

The Washington Post 2010 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, a project of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement with support from RAFFA, PC, includes a $10,000 cash grant and much more! Plus, all applicants receive feedback on their management practices from the selection committee. So, your nonprofit can benefit just from completing the application. There is no fee to take part. Applications are due Monday, December 7! Click here to learn more.

Deadlines Approaching: Local Awards Programs Seek Nominees

The deadlines are fast approaching for several awards to recognize excellence in our region are seeking nominations. Click each below to learn more.

• SmartCEO Magazine is seeking nominees for its annual Smart100 program. Nominations close Friday, October 30. Click here to learn more about submitting a nominations for the Greater Washington region.
• The Washington Area Women's Foundation is accepting nominations for its 2010 Leadership Awards. The nomination deadline is Tuesday, November 3. Click here to learn more.

And remember, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement is now accepting applications for The Washington Post 2010 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. The application deadline is Monday, December 7.

Is Your Organization Managed with Excellence?

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is pleased to accept applications for The Washington Post 2010 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.

Now in its 16th year, this competitive award recognizes outstanding management practices of area nonprofit organizations. Applicants are judged in board development and management; diversity; evaluation; fiscal management; information and communication; organizational development; people development and management; planning; resource development; risk management; and technology.

The winner of the competition receives a $10,000 cash grant and a scholarship to Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership’s Nonprofit Executive Certificate Program. Up to four honorable mention award recipients will each receive a $2,500 prize.

As a benefit to program participants, all applicants receive individualized feedback for their application from the selection committee.

Click here for additional information on award eligibility and the application process.

The application deadline is December 7.

Free Washington Post 2010 Award Application Workshop on Friday, October 16. Click here for details and to register.

This award program is a program of:

Sponsored by:

Cosponsored by:

With additional support by:

Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership’s Nonprofit Executive Certificate Program.

Hear Best Practices in Nonprofit Management

Five locally-based finalists for the The Washington Post 2009 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management shared best practices on a range of management areas with more than 300 members of the region's nonprofit community during The Washington Post 2009 Award Best Practices Workshop and Awards Presentation.

If you missed the 2009 workshop, be sure to catch it on DCTV throughout the coming weeks. Coverage airs on DCTV 1, Comcast 95 and RCN 10 on Friday, Aug. 7 at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9:00 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21 at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 23 at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 30 at 6:00 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 4 at 11:00 a.m.

Doorways for Women and Families Wins The Washington Post 2009 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is pleased to announce that Doorways for Women and Families of Arlington, Va., has received the 15th annual The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. The competitive award recognizes outstanding achievement in nonprofit management for a Washington-area nonprofit organization.

As the winner, Doorways receives a $10,000 cash grant and a scholarship to Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program. The award selection committee noted several outstanding management practices for Doorways. Some examples of management excellence include:

• Extensive policies and planning efforts
• A multi-layer fundraising program
• Reflective supervision
• Effective leveraging of volunteers

“At this critical time for our communities, the Center is pleased to recognize Doorways for Women and Families’ achievement of excellence in nonprofit management,” said Center CEO Glen O’Gilvie. “We are also proud to share the best practices of Doorways and our 2009 honorable mention recipients with nonprofits throughout Greater Washington.”

Celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2009, Doorways strives to end homelessness and family and intimate partner violence by offering safe shelter and housing, life changing support services and community advocacy for thousands of women and families in Arlington and the Northern Virginia area.

The remaining four finalists received honorable mention awards at Monday’s event. These organizations included the Latin American Youth Center of Washington, D.C., MVLE, Inc., of Springfield, Va., New Hope Housing of Alexandria, Va., and the Washington Office on Latin America of Washington, D.C. Each honorable mention recipient received a $2,500 award.

The Washington Post Award Selection Committee judges applicant organizations in the areas of fiscal management, information and communication, organizational development, people development, planning, resource development, risk management, and use of technology.

This is the 15th year of competition. The program is sponsored by The Washington Post, with additional support from RAFFA, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement Benefits Trust and Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership. The Center for Nonprofit Advancement administers the program.

Recent winners of The Washington Post Award include the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (2008), Tahirih Justice Center (2007), N Street Village (2006), Higher Achievement Program (2005), Bread for the City (2004) and Miriam’s House (2003).

If you attended Monday's Best Practices Workshop and are interested in the sample documents discussed, please click here.

You're Invited!

Hear Best Practices in Nonprofit Management:
Winning Ideas from
The Washington Post 2009 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management

Monday, June 15
2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at The Washington Post
Space is limited for this free event--register now!

Join us for the culmination of The Wash­ington Post 2009 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, a project of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. The afternoon begins with the popular “Best Practices Work­shop.” This is your opportunity to learn the many ideas that make five area organizations “excellent” in this year’s competition.

Organizations presenting their “Best Practices” will include:

• Doorways for Women and Families
• Latin American Youth Center
• MVLE, Inc.
• New Hope Housing
• Washington Office on Latin America

At the conclusion of the workshop, the winner of the 2009 Award will be an­nounced for the first time. Immediately following is a reception honoring the winner and the honorable mention recipients.

Event Details:

When: Monday, June 15; Workshop, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Award Presentation, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.; Reception, 4:45 - 6:00 p.m.

Where: The Wash­ington Post, 1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Cost: Free, Photo I.D. may be required at the door

Space is limited--register today!

This program is presented as a partnership between the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and The Wash­ington Post.

Additional sponsor support is provided by Raffa, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement Benefits Trust and Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership.

Questions? Contact the Center for Nonprofit Advancement at 202-457-0540 or at info@nonprofitadvancement.org

Finalists Announced for The Washington Post 2009 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is pleased to announce five finalists for The Washington Post 2009 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. This competitive award recognizes outstanding achievement in nonprofit management by a Washington-area nonprofit organization.

Finalists for the 2009 Post Award include:

• Doorways for Women and Families of Arlington, Va.
• Latin American Youth Center of Washington, D.C.
• MVLE, Inc., of Springfield, Va.
• New Hope Housing of Alexandria, Va.
• Washington Office on Latin America of Washington, D.C.
  

“The 2009 Award finalists are exhibiting management excellence in a challenging economic environment and at a critical time for our communities,” said Center CEO Glen O’Gilvie. “The Center is proud to recognize their achievements and share their best practices with other organizations throughout the region.”

Each finalist organization will participate in the Center’s annual Best Practices Workshop to be held June 15 at the Washington Post. The 2009 Award winner will be announced at an awards presentation immediately following the Best Practices Workshop.

The winning organization will receive a $10,000 cash grant and a scholarship for one person to attend the Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program. Up to four honorable mentions will also each be presented with a $1,000 cash grant award.

“Good nonprofit management was vital 15 years ago when this competition began, and it is even more so today,” said Center Deputy Executive Director Susan Sanow. “It is gratifying to see organizations throughout the community continue to strive for excellence in every aspect of their work.”

The award winner is selected through a three-step judging process including a two-part written application and a site visit. The Washington Post Award Selection Committee is an all-volunteer committee selected by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.

The Award Selection Committee judges applicant organizations in the areas of fiscal management, information and communication, organizational development, people development, planning, resource development, risk management, and use of technology.

The award is sponsored by The Washington Post Company, with additional support from RAFFA, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement Benefits Trust and Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership.