Frequently Asked Questions

... and facts about The 2009 New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards.

11.      QUESTION:  Is my organization eligible if we are an international nonprofit?  ANSWER: The Awards competition is open to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in and serving the following areas: Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County.  National and international nonprofit organizations are eligible, but the application must focus on management activities in the New York City area.

10.      QUESTION:  Can my organization win if we have only one example of excellence in nonprofit management?  ANSWER: No. Winners must show examples of excellence in many areas of nonprofit management.

9.      QUESTION: If my organization applies and does not make it to round one or round two, is it realistic for us to bother to apply again?  ANSWER: Applying for the award for several years is welcomed…especially if your management practices strengthen during that period.

8.      QUESTION: Will having great programs and services compensate for average management practices?  ANSWER: No. This program rewards excellence in nonprofit management, including but not limited to program management.  Program information is useful only when it provides context for management achievements.   

7.      QUESTION:  Will the Selection Committee favor only new/established, small/large, or local/national scope organizations?  ANSWER:  The selection committee seeks excellence in nonprofit management – no matter the organization's age, size or community served.  (Start-up nonprofits are eligible, but the application and awards process focuses on management track record and results, not future plans.)

6.      QUESTION:  Must my organization have gone through a major crisis or turnaround in order to win?  ANSWER:  The Selection Committee will value organizations with consistent, solid management, as well as organizations that grow and prosper after a management crisis.  

5.      QUESTION:  My organization is not widely known, so do we have a chance? ANSWER:  The selection committee considers what is written in your application, rather than the organization's name or stature in the community.  

4.      QUESTION:   Is it really worth so much work to complete the application? ANSWER: Past participants have recognized the value of self-assessment and report that their organizations have benefited from the process.  Applicants may request follow-up feedback on their applications, including summaries of Selection Committee comments and rankings, by contacting Awards program staff at NPCC.  
    
3.      ANSWER: Won't the Selection Committee know who is going to win even before they see the applications? ANSWER:  The Selection Committee's choice will be based on the information included in submitted applications and the site visit experience (for finalists only).  

2.       QUESTION:   If one type of organization wins this year, can we assume a different type will win next year? ANSWER:  No. Program area is not a consideration in the Selection Committee's decision-making process.
 
1.     QUESTION: Who should be involved in preparing our application?  ANSWER:  The strongest applications are expected to be from those organizations where discussion and reflective time has been invested by staff, board, volunteers and other stakeholders prior to completing the application.  We would hope that the questions in The 2009 New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards application will stimulate this work.