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.

View the November/December Nonprofit Agenda online

The November/December 2009 issue of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement's print newsletter, Nonprofit Agenda, is now available electronically.

Inside this issue:

• A Celebration of Excellence and Service
• 5 Tips to Get the Most from Your Graphic Design Experience
• Meet the Newest Center Members
• Center Recognizes Excellence in Washington Region Nonprofit Leadership
• Meet Our Newest Partners in Advancement
• Individual Philanthropy: What Does Building Meaningful Donor Relationships Look Like?
• Recruit, Engage and Leverage: Providing Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities
• Partnering for Success
• Learn About The Washington Post 2010 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management
• Member News

Click here to download the PDF.

And don't forget to explore the offerings in our latest catalog of courses from the Center's Learning and Leadership Institute. View upcoming classes by date or subject.

Seeking the "Best Fundraiser"

The NonProfit Times is compiling nominations for their "best fundraisers" feature story. Make a nomination for categories including: Younger Than 40; Living Legend; Direct Mail; Major Gifts; Online; Special Events, Education; DRTV; and Sector Leadership.

Nominees must be employed at a nonprofit. Send your suggestions, along with contact information and a few lines about the person, to editor2@nptimes.com.

Join Us This Week

We hope to see you this week at one of these upcoming workshops. Click each listing below for event and registration details.

• Tuesday, December 1, Building Your Team: Making Your Board Members Your Greatest Asset
• Wednesday, December 2, Developing A Technology Plan That Moves Your Organization Forward
  

Center Members Recognized in Catalogue for Philanthropy

Since 2003, the Catalogue for Philanthropy has spotlighted high impact, carefully evaluated, community-based Greater Washington nonprofits with budgets of less than $3 million. To date, the Catalogue has helped featured nonprofits to raise more than $9.6 million from new donors.

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is pleased to recognize Center members featured in the new 2009-2010 Catalogue for Philanthropy. Click below to see member catalogue profiles.

• Amazon Conservation Association : Washington, DC
• A-SPAN (Arlington Street People's Assistance Network) : Arlington, VA
• Carpenter's Shelter : Alexandria, VA
• Computer CORE : Alexandria, VA
• DC LEARNs : Washington, DC
• Jubilee Jobs : Washington, DC
• Mary House : Washington, DC
• Mentoring Today : Washington, DC
• STRIVE DC : Washington, DC
• Tahirih Justice Center : Falls Church, VA
• The Barker Foundation : Bethesda, MD
• The Downtown Cluster's Geriatric Day Care Center : Washington, DC
• The Dwelling Place : Gaithersburg, MD
• Turning the Page : Washington, DC
• Us Helping Us, People Into Living : Washington, DC
• Visitors' Services Center : Washington, DC
• Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless : Washington, DC
• Women Empowered Against Violence (WEAVE) : Washington, DC
  

Special Opportunity for Arlington Nonprofits

Please join Arlington Economic Development and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement on Tuesday, December 8 for "Effective Boards that Work: How You Can Make it Happen." This workshop is free for Arlington Residents and nonprofits; $49 for Center members; $89 for all others.

Workshop description: Effective boards don’t just happen; they need thought, creativity, planning and even luck. If you’re feeling your board could be improved, you’re having trouble recruiting board members or you’re frustrated with the board you have, join us. Learn about the characteristics of well-functioning boards, setting an effective meeting strategy and the secrets to building strong staff-board relations.

Faculty: Sandra Renner, Principal, Renner Consulting

The workshop runs from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on December 8 and is presented at the Arlington County Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street, Main Auditorium, Arlington, Va.). Click here to register.

Grant Opportunity: Technical Assistance

The Center for Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) is seeking applications from nonprofits serving Wards 5,6, 7 and 8 in the District of Columbia to receive technical assistance and/or sub-awards through the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services (OCS), Administration for Children and Families.

"The goal of CCF is to assist nonprofit faith-based and community-based organizations in: increasing their effectiveness, enhancing their ability to provide social services, expanding their organizations, diversifying their funding sources and creating collaborations to better serve those most in need."

Click here to download the Grant Announcement.

CNE is hosting an information/question and answer session on Monday, November 30. Details and registration information available on page two of the grant announcement.