Frequently Asked Questions 
Below are some general questions about the awards and process.

Can I nominate the organization I work for?
Yes, you can. You can nominate an organization at which you are employed or serve as a board member for either a Nonprofit Mission or Nonprofit Excellence Award. Applications for the Nonprofit Excellence Awards must be submitted by the organization, as the application involves board oversight and detailed responses on specific practices. 

Can I nominate an organization I don't work for, but support their work? 
You may submit a nomination for a Nonprofit Mission Award in the areas of Innovation, Anti-racism Initiative, Advocacy and Responsive Philanthropy for any nonprofit organization based in Minnesota. As the nominator, you do not need to have a formal relationship to the organization on whose behalf you are nominating for a Nonprofit Mission Award. Applications for the Nonprofit Excellence Awards must be submitted by the organization, as the application involves board oversight and detailed responses on specific practices. 

Who is eligible to nominate an organization?
Anyone is eligible to nominate an organization for a Nonproprofit Mission Award. As the nominator, you do not need to have a formal relationship to the organization you are nominating for a Nonprofit Mission Award. Applications for the Nonprofit Excellence Awards must be submitted by the organization, as the application involves board oversight and detailed responses on specific practices. 

What does my organization receive if it wins an award?
Organizations chosen to receive a Nonprofit Mission or Excellence Award will receive the honor and distinction of being recognized as a leader among Minnesota's nonprofits. Organizations will also receive a 2-4 minute video production capturing the organizations work for which it is receiving the award and a one-of-a-kind art glass award engraved with your organization's name. Winning organizations will be featured with a profile of the organization in MCN's Nonprofit News reaching 10,000 nonprofit managers, and in media releases to Minnesota and national media. In addition, each award category has a cash or scholarship prize, with the exception of the award for Responsive Philanthropy. See About the Awards and Recipient Prizes for details. 

How are the recipients decided?
Staff members, board members, volunteers, program recipients, donors or other supporters may nominate a nonprofit for a Mission Award. The nomination process for the Nonprofit Mission Awards closes on May 14, 2010.

The Nonprofit Mission Awards Selection Committee will review all complete nominations in the categories of Innovation, Anti-racism Initiative, Advocacy and Responsive Philanthropy and narrow the field of nominations to three finalists in each category.Finalists will be announced in June. All MCN member organizations and their staff are invited to vote on the winners from the field of finalists. The recipients of the four awards will be decided by member votes and the organizations receiving the most votes will win. Finalist organizations and their staff are not eligible to vote within their own category. 

The Nonprofit Excellence Awards are selected by a Blue Ribbon Panel of experienced nonprofit leaders who will review the applications and supporting materials and select award finalists in two categories based on the organizations' sizes.  .

Can I vote for the Nonprofit Awards recipients?
Employees and board members of MCN nonprofit member organizations are eligible to vote for the Nonprofit Mission Awards. Those individuals currently in MCN's database will receive their password to vote upon the opening of the voting process. If you are part of a nonprofit member of MCN, but do not receive a password, contact MCN to receive your password. 

The Nonprofit Excellence Awards are selected by a Blue Ribbon Panel of experienced nonprofit leaders who will review the applications and supporting materials and select award finalists in two categories based on the organizations' sizes. 

When are the award recipients announced?
The awards recipients will be announced in September 2010. 

When will the awards ceremony take place?
The 2010 Minnesota Nonprofit Awards will be presented at the 2010 Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Annual Conference, on October 7-8, at the DECC, in Duluth. 

By registering for the conference, you will receive free admission to the presentation of the 2010 Nonprofit Mission and Excellence Awards. If you would like to attend the ceremony, but not register for the entire conference, special luncheon tickets are available. Registration information will be available in May 2010.

What nonprofits have won in the past? 
A full list of past award recipients, along with links to their Web sites and video productions is posted on this Web site. 
Past Award Recipients and Videos.

If an organization has won in the past, is it eligible to win again? 
Yes, organizations who have been honored with an award in the past may be nominated again. However, the nominations should be in relation to different or new activities.