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Criteria
In each category, nominated
and applying organizations should meet the specified criteria.
- The achievements
of the organization must be relevant (i.e. should have
taken place within approximately the last 12-18 months).
- Nominated
organizations must be based in Minnesota, even if their
work serves populations outside of Minnesota.
- Organizations
nominated must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Programs
of nonprofits, unincorporated nonprofits and coalitions
of nonprofits may apply for the Nonprofit Mission Awards,
but are ineligible for the Excellence Awards. Government
entities, business entities and individuals are not eligible
to apply.
- Organizations
may be nominated in more than one award category, but
must submit a separate nomination for each category, and
must answer the criteria specific to each award.
- Organizations
may self nominate or apply on their own behalf. Organizations
may be nominated by others for Nonprofit Mission Awards
for Innovation, Anti-racism Initiative, Advocacy and Responsive
Philanthropy. Organizations must apply on their behalf
for Nonprofit Excellence Awards.
- Supplementary
material will not be accepted.
- Three references
are required for the Nonprofit Mission Awards. References
could include board members, funders, community partners
or other stakeholders, but are preferably not be staff
members of the nominated organization. Please alert your
references that they may be contacted by the Mission Award
Selection Committee for more information.
Online nominations
are encouraged for Nonprofit Mission Awards in the areas
of Innovation, Anti-Racism Initiative, Advocacy and Responsive
Philanthropy. Printed
nomination forms
are available upon request for those that are
unable to complete an online nomination. Nominations
for the Nonprofit Mission Awards are due by May 14, 2010.
Applications for Nonprofit
Excellence Awards must be downloaded by the applying organization
and received via mail. Applications for the Nonprofit Excellence
Awards are due by May 14, 2010.
Below are specific
criteria for each award. Nominations should follow the criteria
for the category in which the organization is being nominated.
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Nonprofit
Mission Award for Innovation Criteria:
This award recognizes creative applications and
nontraditional approaches to solving community challenges.
Nominated nonprofit innovations should:
- Have
taken place within the past 12-18 months;
- Bring creative
solutions to community challenges;
- Employ a variety
of strategies in developing these solutions; and
- Collaborate with
other nonprofit organizations, businesses and
governmental agencies in their efforts.
This award is intended
to honor true innovation in the work of a nonprofit.
This award is not intended to recognize overall
organizational achievements.
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Nonprofit
Mission Award for Anti-Racism Initiative Criteria:
The Anti-Racism Initiative Award recognizes an organization
that actively engages audiences in anti-racism activities.
Nominated organizations should:
- Work to eliminate
prejudice and racism in society;
- Demonstrate a commitment
to pluralism and inclusively; and
- Develop unique and
thought-provoking strategies to combat racism.
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Nonprofit
Mission Award for Advocacy Criteria:
This award recognizes advocacy as one of the most
effective and unique roles of nonprofit organizations.
Nominated organizations should:
- Implement an effective
advocacy strategy;
- Demonstrate success
in its advocacy efforts; and
- Have a significant
impact on the organization's constituency.
The
selection committee is particularly interested in
the work of coalitions, though coalition work is
not a requirement to receive this award.Types of
advocacy work honored in this category could include:
systems change, legislative action, civic engagement,
grassroots advocacy, etc.
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Nonprofit
Mission Award for Responsive Philanthropy Criteria:
This award recognizes the partnership
between funders and nonprofits in mobilizing resources
for public benefit. Nominated organizations should:
- Be responsive to
citizen initiatives;
- Recognize public
policy issues and long-term strategies to fight
problems; and
- Commit substantial
resources to disadvantaged people and Minnesota
communities through a process of dialogue and
partnership.
This
award is intended to honor the work of private foundations,
community foundations or corporate giving programs
in Minnesota.
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Nonprofit
Excellence Awards for Large and Small Organization
Criteria:
The Excellence Awards are based upon MCN's Principles
and Practices for Nonprofit Exellence.
Applicants
must be a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) organization,
at least five years old and have a local governance
and management structure in place. Board involvement
in the application is required. To apply, applicants
must submit:
- A completed Principles
& Practices for Nonprofit Excellence Self
Assessment
- A two-page narrative
about noteworthy achievements related to each
of the ten Principles
- Verification that
your nonprofit board chair and the majority of
your board members have reviewed the Principles
and Practices and have reviewed and verified the
accuracy of the narrative
- A copy of your audited
financial statements for the most recent year
available
- A list of board
members, with affiliations, addresses and phone
numbers
- A copy of your organization's
501(c)(3) verification
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