Nomination Guidelines
INDIANA ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2008
Celebrating Effective Nonprofits
The ninth Indiana Achievement Awards (IAA) will recognize Indiana’s most exemplary nonprofits for their efforts on November 18, 2008. IAA seeks to recognize effective non-profit organizations and create a learning environment which enables nonprofit leaders to adapt these best practices in their own organizations. The IAA's mission is to create a healthier nonprofit sector in Indiana.
WHAT DOES AN IAA AWARD-WINNER RECEIVE?
§ A cash prize of $10,000.
§ A professionally produced video by WFYI of your organization.
§ An invitation to the Awards Luncheon on November 18, 2008, to be held at the Indianapolis Marriott North Hotel.
§ Public recognition through printed materials and targeted press releases distributed throughout the state.
BACKGROUND & NOTIFICATION
IAA is the only award program to recognize and reward Indiana nonprofits for demonstrated effectiveness. IAA was established in 1999 by a coalition of foundations, businesses and individuals to identify, recognize, and reward, effective nonprofits, while educating Indiana's nonprofit sector on best practices implemented by IAA winners. The awards luncheon on November 18, 2008 at the Indianapolis Marriott North Hotel, 3645 River Crossing Parkway, Indianapolis, IN 46240, will celebrate the accomplishments of the 2008 IAA winners. Winning nonprofits will be announced publicly before the luncheon on or about October 1, 2008. Luncheon registration information will also be available at that time.
WHAT’S NEW IN 2008?
§ The Awards are eliminating the process of applying under a specific category (impact, innovation and sustainability). Each nominee will report on issues surrounding impact, innovation and financial stability and illustrate in which areas they are most effective. IAA winning organizations will be selected based on their qualifications not on a specific number of categories to fill.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD ALSO PRESENTED NOVEMBER 18, 2008
As part of the IAA awards luncheon, the Indianapolis Business Journal will honor a civic leader for community service with the 2008 Michael A. Carroll award. This honor has been given annually since 1993 in remembrance of the former deputy mayor and civic leader who died in 1992. Candidates nominated for the Michael A. Carroll award should have a professional career that reflects the characteristics of determination, devotion, humility and community service. Nominating letters for this award can be sent to the Indianapolis Business Journal, 41 E. Washington Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Application deadline is August 1, 2008.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The nomination form, Letter of Determination from the IRS, and Form 990 may be sent via email to by answering the questions directly in this Word document and emailing them to us. Please note: save the Word document as your organization name and email it without the application form guidelines (just email the actual 2008 Application Form in this document). If unable to utilize email, three copies of this application may sent via courier or hand delivered, along with your letter of determination from the IRS Form 990 no later than May 16, 2008 at the Sycamore Foundation office address below by 5:00 EST.
9100 Keystone Crossing, Suite 750
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Telephone: 317-208-4845 Fax: 888-886-7367
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
IAA applications must be submitted by the organization responsible for the program. Eligibility requirements:
§ A nonprofit applicant must have an existing determination from the Internal Revenue Service as a Public charity described in sections 501(c)(3) or 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The IRS letter of determination must be addressed to the IAA applicant and in continuing effect.
§ All applications must be received at the Sycamore Foundation office, 9100 Keystone Crossing, Suite 750, Indianapolis, IN 46240 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time May 16, 2008.
§ A nonprofit organization may only submit one application in a given year.
§ Winning and honorable mention candidates will be notified by October 1, 2008.
§ IAA winners in 2006 and 2007 are not eligible to apply for an award in 2008.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE APPLYING?
§ Part Two is actually the crux of your application, so allow plenty of time to answer these questions. Try to avoid duplicate answers or information. There are no precise word counts, however suggested answer lengths have been supplied to give an idea how much information to supply. It should not be necessary to go beyond a few pages with your narrative.
§ An IAA application with merit always exhibits a mastering of measuring tools to help the reader understand the work the organization is doing. By using outcomes and benchmarks your story is more persuasive. Stories that share lessons learned along the way are also validating.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
IAA seeks to identify real-world organizations that exemplify best practice models. The nominated nonprofit’s activities must:
§ Further the mission of the organization;
§ Have specific and measurable results that indicate effectiveness;
§ Be capable of being adapted by other nonprofits.
RANKING ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHS
Part three provides organizations with the opportunity to highlight their strengths. The entire application will be evaluated in-depth, but by indicating a “1” in innovation, for example, judges will pay particular attention to questions surrounding innovation. A “Notes” section will provide candidates with the opportunity to elaborate on why a specific area is a core strength.
IMPACT
Nonprofits that can answer, “What are the benefits or results of our programs for customers, clients or participants?” and demonstrate achievement of intended outcomes are worthy candidates for this award. Nonprofits must show how services have improved their community. Setting benchmarks, defining and measuring performance helps an organization achieve its mission.
INNOVATION
While the word innovation is used frequently in nonprofits, it is often used loosely. True innovation involves the organization’s ability to do things in a new and different light; to take advantage of new opportunities and deal with new threats. Innovation occurs when an organization serves new clients, delivers new services, collaborates with others, or develops new revenue streams. Innovation must be more than a substantial change in practice but should positively compliment the mission of the organization.
FUNDING SOURCES
For a nonprofit to have long-term financial health, vibrancy and the desired outcome of sustainability, it must have diversified income sources, manage its growth, maintain a tight focus on its mission and understand its clients’ characteristics and needs. It is not possible to overstate the significance or influence strategic planning plays in accomplishing sustainability.
BOARD GOVERNANCE
Effective nonprofits are guided by highly functioning board members, who advance their organization’s mission through active leadership. Boards which not only act as financial stewards but also create strategic partnerships are critical to successful nonprofit organizations.
2008 NOMINATION FORM
INDIANA ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Celebrating Effective Nonprofits
NAME OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE APPLYING NONPROFIT
Name / Date
Name Title
Telephone / Email
CONTACT PERSON FOR NOTIFICATION OR FURTHER INFORMATION/ADDRESS OF ORGANIZATION
Name Title
Organization Address
City/State/Zip Email
Telephone FAX Website Address
NOMINATION STATUS
The organization submitting this application:
is self nominating
is being nominated by the organization listed below
NOMINATING ORGANIZATION AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Name Title
Organization Address
City/State/Zip Email
Telephone FAX Website Address
ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST
The organization submitting this application:
has IRS letter of determination and most recent Form 990.
is entering only one application for one program.
has included budget and funding information with an annual budget (2008) of $
PART ONE—NARRATIVE INTRODUCTION
(Maximum of two pages for Part One)
1. DESCRIBE THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION AND PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY ACTIVITIES:
Identify the issues that your organization seeks to address as well as the intended audience or served clientele.
2. FISCAL INFORMATION:
a) Complete the funding table.
b) Please submit your organization's most recently completed Form 990, including Schedule A.
c) How did you accomplish financial sustainability?Briefly describe below the change(s) which improved the long term financial health of the organization. How do you know that the organization is now financially stable and will be in the future?
GENERAL AND FUNDING INFORMATION TABLES:
This information is used to conceptualize your organization by IAA judges. Program data required for program nominees. Insert N/A if not applicable.
GENERAL INFORMATION / ORGANIZATION / PROGRAM / FUNDING SOURCES / ORGANIZATION / PROGRAMStaff Size: / Individual Gifts / % / %
Full-time: / Foundation: / % / %
Part-time: / Government: / % / %
# of Volunteers: / Fee for Service: / % / %
Annual 2007 Budget / In-Kind: / % / %
Size of Board: / United Way: / % / %
Date Fiscal Year Begins/Ends: / Endowment: / % / %
Other: / % / %
3. PARTNERSHIPS:
a) With whom has your organization partnered?
b) Have others sought to learn from your organization or replicate its activities? If so, please describe.
4. ACCOUNTABILITY: How do your customers, clientele or board hold your organization accountable? What changes has your organization made in response to direction from your stakeholders?
5. BOARD GOVERNANCE: How does your board effectively guide your organization?
PART TWO—NARRATIVE
Please describe a program in your organization which illustrates extraordinary outcomes and effective business practices. Please note: the organization as a whole can be the “program”. (Maximum of three pages for Part Two)
1. What is the program and why was it needed?
2. Is this program exceptionally innovative? For example, are other organizations providing similar programs or is your program unique? If so, how?
3. How did you accomplish this program? Please describe the process of developing and implementing it.
4. How do the program activities advance the mission and strategic plan of your organization?
5. Who was responsible for the program? How did leaders promote or the culture of your organization encourage the innovation/impact of the program?
6. What outcomes does your organization set and measure? Please include a discussion of outcomes of your highlighted program, benchmarks and/or metrics you have used to assess those outcomes.
7. How will you continue and build on the success in the future?
PART THREE—RANKING ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHS
Please prioritize your organization’s strengths from one (highest) to four. Please note: you may only use each number once. You may use the “Notes” section to highlight why you rated a category the organization’s top strength.
Example (please type over the sample answers with your organization’s information):
Category / Rank (1-4) / NotesImpact / 4
Innovation / 3
Funding Sources / 1
Board Governance / 2
PREVIOUS IAA WINNERS
IAA 20002000 Center for the Homeless South Bend
2000 Children’s Bureau Indianapolis
2000 Hilltop Dental Clinic Valparaiso
2000 Indiana Youth Institute Indianapolis
2000 Second Helpings Indianapolis
2000 Volunteers in Medicine Columbus
IAA 2001
2001 Bridgework Theatre Goshen
2001 Good News Ministries Health Clinic Indianapolis
2001 Indiana Repertory Theatre Indianapolis
2001 IUPUI Polis Center’s Spirit & Place Festival Indianapolis
2001 Opportunity Enterprises Valparaiso
2001 Peace Learning Center Indianapolis
IAA 2002
2002 Assistance League of Indianapolis
2002 Genessaret Free Clinic Indianapolis
2002 Indiana Behavioral Health Choices, Dawn Project Indianapolis
2002 Julian Center Indianapolis
2002 Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Indianapolis
2002 YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
IAA 2003
2003 Boys & Girls Club Goshen
2003 LifeTime Resources Dillsboro
2003 Middle Way House Bloomington
2003 Prevent Blindness Indiana Indianapolis
2003 South Bend Civic Theatre
2003 Teachers’ Treasures Indianapolis / IAA 2004
2004 Day Nursery Association Indianapolis
2004 Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic Indianapolis
2004 Prime Life, Carmel
2004 SCAN, Inc., Healthy Families Fort Wayne
2004 School on Wheels Indianapolis
2004 St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Center, Indianapolis
IAA 2005
2005 Community Education Coalition, Connersville
2005 Fischoff National Chamber Music, Notre Dame
2005 Lutheran Child & Family Service, Indianapolis
2005 Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, Bloomington
2005 YWCA of Greater Lafayette, Women's Cancer Project
2005 Youth Resources, Evansville
IAA 2006
2006 College Mentors for Kids, Indianapolis
2006 Conner Prairie, Fishers
2006 Family Christian Development Center, Nappanee
2006 Marian College, Indianapolis
2006 Noah's Ark Children's Village, Jeffersonville
2006 Second Helpings, Indianapolis
IAA 2007
2007 American Pianists Association, Indianapolis
2007 Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana,
Fort Wayne
2007 Community Theatre Guild, Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso
2007 Indianapolis Medical Society Foundation's Project Health, Indianapolis
2007 Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis
2007 Sycamore Land Trust, Bloomington
The development of this application is Underwritten by
Fund-raising consultants for nonprofit organizations:
Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates, Inc.,
29 South Park Boulevard
Greenwood, IN 46143
www.jgacounsel.com
317.215.2400