Award
Criteria
CALL
FOR NOMINATIONS: MAY 29, 2008 DEADLINE
In each category, nominated and applying organizations should
meet the specified criteria. Organizations nominated in more
than one category must complete a nomination for each category
and must meet the specific criteria for each
award.
For each of the awards, the
following criteria apply:
- 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 nonprofit organization or a
program of a nonprofit organization. Unincorporated nonprofits
and coalitions of nonprofits may also apply. 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.
- The committee will base its decisions on the information
provided in the narrative.
- Supplementary material is discouraged and will not be
returned.
- Three references are required. 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 for those that are
unable to complete an online nomination. Applications for Nonprofit
Excellence Awards must be downloaded by the applying
organization and received via mail. All nominations must be
received by the May 29, 2008 deadline to be considered.
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 organizations should:
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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Nonprofit
Excellence Awards for Large and Small Organization
Criteria:
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
years 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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