The ten
semifinalists for this year’s New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence
Awards have been announced. 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 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) is 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.
"The New
York Times is proud to once again present the Nonprofit Awards, now in its
third year," said Diane McNulty, executive director of community affairs and
media relations, The New York Times. "This is a critical time for nonprofit
organizations and more than ever, we should take this opportunity to recognize
them for giving back to their communities and enriching the lives of everyday
New Yorkers."
"At a time
of severe stress for many nonprofits due to the economy, it is exciting to
recognize these excellently run organizations and their management strategies,"
said Michael Clark, president, Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York.
"A silver
lining in these otherwise hard times is a renewed appreciation of the nonprofit
sector," said Ronna D. Brown, president, New York Regional Association of
Grantmakers. "It’s important to highlight the ways that excellent management of
grant-seeking organizations is critical to successful programs and outcomes."
Up to four
winners will be chosen from the 10 semifinalists and announced in June. 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. For more information on the program,
please visit www.NYTimes-community.com.
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.