Nominations are open. The deadline for nominations is May 18.
About the award: IBJ will honor Indiana nonprofits, foundations, organization leaders, businesses who work with nonprofits and philanthropists at the inaugural Nonprofit Excellence Awards presented by Katz, Sapper & Miller CPA & Advisors. There are several categories: Nonprofit of the Year, Foundation of the Year, Nonprofit Executive of the Year, New Nonprofit Program of the Year, Fundraising Event of the Year, Philanthropist of the Year, In-kind Supporter of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Business Supporter of the Year and Best Collaboration Between a Business and Nonprofit.
The Nonprofit of the Year will be given to three organizations, one each of three categories based on budget size, and Foundation of the Year will be given to one organization. The Nonprofit of the Year and Foundation of the Year honors will include cash prizes. Honorees in the other categories will not receive cash prizes.
Important note: IBJ will interview and photograph the leaders of the programs, organizations and companies chosen for awards. If an honoree is not available or declines to be photographed or interviewed within IB’s deadlines, the judges will choose another winner.
What is each award? And who is eligible?
Each award is aimed at a specific and important aspect of the nonprofit sector and has its own criteria. Please read each description carefully.
Nonprofit of the Year
Nonprofits in this category must be exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3) and must be considered a public charity. Organizations that are hospital systems, utilities or universities are not eligible to apply. IBJ and Katz, Sapper & Miller will consider the impact the organization is having on the community or the specific constituency it serves, the financial management of the organization, the outreach and fundraising efforts and overall success implementing programs and services.
Foundation of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding leader at a grantmaking organization or private foundation that is having significant community impact. IBJ will name one honoree — or it could be two, based on organization size — and consider the executive’s leadership in developing and executing the organization’s mission, in fundraising and grantmaking, and in overall management.
Nonprofit Executive of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding leader at a nonprofit organization—defined as a 501(c)(3), not including universities, schools, hospitals and health care systems and utilities—that is having significant community impact. IBJ will consider the executive’s leadership in developing programs and services, in fundraising and in overall management.
Foundation Executive of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding leader at a grantmaking organization or private foundation that is having significant community impact. IBJ will consider the executive’s leadership in developing and implementing the organization’s mission, in fundraising and grantmaking and in overall management.
New Nonprofit Program of the Year
This award recognizes a program that is innovative and impactful in the way that it serves the organization’s constituents or the overall community. Programs must have been launched since May 2, 2022, and must be fully implemented (a program that has plans for expansion is eligible).
Fundraising Event of the Year
This award recognizes an especially successful, interesting or innovative event or campaign that had a significant impact on the organization’s bottom line or on a particular program. The fundraising initiative does not need to be a new one, but innovative ideas will be given special consideration.
Philanthropist of the Year
This award recognizes an individual giver (that could include a couple or a family foundation but not a corporate or community foundation) that has made one or more impactful donations. That could include an especially large contribution to one organization or it could be a series of smaller gifts that add up to a large contribution for the community.
In-kind Supporter of the Year
This award recognizes an individual, company or other nonprofit that uses in-kind contributions—such as the donation of food, space, tickets, clothing, advertising, transportation or other goods or services—to make a significant impact on a 501(c)(3) organization’s services or bottom line.
Volunteer of the Year
This award honors an individual who is not employed by the nonprofit but has contributed significant hours to help the organization achieve its mission. The individual must be currently volunteering or have volunteered regularly in the past year.
Business Supporter of the Year
This award recognizes public or private company that has made significant monetary contributions to one or more central Indiana nonprofit organizations. That could include an especially large contribution to one organization or it could be a series of smaller gifts that add up to a large contribution for the community.
Best Collaboration Between a Business and Nonprofit
This award recognizes a public or private company that has partnered with a 501(c)(3) in a way that significantly furthers the organization’s mission.
What are the size categories and prizes for the Nonprofit and Foundation of the Year awards?
Here are the categories and awards:
- Large nonprofit organization of the year (budget of $25 million or more) Award – $50,000
- Medium nonprofit of the year (budget of $5 million to $24 million) Award – $25,000
- Small nonprofit of the year (budget of less than $5 million) Award – $20,000
- Foundation of the Year Award – $25,000
How do I submit a nomination?
Please choose the appropriate form below. Then look over the form to learn what information you need to submit it. You will not be able to save the form and return. So please gather all of the names, dates and numbers you need before you begin.
Choose one of these forms for each award:
- Nonprofit of the Year
- Foundation of the Year
- Nonprofit/Foundation Individual of the Year Awards (use this form for executive, philanthropist and volunteer of the year awards)
- Nonprofit Organization or Program Awards (use this form for the awards for new program, fundraising event, in-kind supporter, business supporter and best collaboration awards)
How will winners be notified?
The IBJ newsroom will send an email notification to the nonprofit or business leaders listed on the nomination form as well as the nominators once the decisions have been made. Once those winners have been confirmed and the winners have agreed to be honored, IBJ will notify by email the nominators of those who were not chosen.
When is the awards event?
IBJ will honor our winners at an event that begins with networking at 3:30 p.m., Aug. 5, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Click here for more information.
Who can I contact for more information?
Email Samm Quinn at squinn@ibj.com if you have questions.