The Arlington Community Foundation Prize
For Immediate Release Contact: Wanda L. Pierce Executive Director 703-243-4785
Announcing
The Arlington Community Foundation Prize for Innovation and Impact
$20,000 prize to be awarded to an Arlington-based nonprofit
August 1, 2011 - The Arlington Community Foundation Prize for Innovation and Impact is a new $20,000 award to an Arlington-based nonprofit organization that, in partnership with the Arlington Community Foundation, has the ability to change lives and make a lasting difference in Arlington County. This special award celebrates the Foundation's 20th Anniversary and highlights the launch of its Campaign for Arlington. The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the Ashton Heights Woman's Club Fund for support of this Prize.
This is a highly-competitive award. Nominations are due September 15, 2011. The Prize will be awarded at Arlington Community Foundation Spirit of Community Luncheon in November. At this luncheon we will also present our highest award for individual community service, The William T. Newman, Jr. Spirit of Community Award.
Eligibility and Criteria
The Arlington Community Foundation seeks nominations of outstanding nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria (see FAQs for more information):
- An Arlington-based nonprofit organization whose innovative work is poised to have an important impact on the community;
- A recent grantee of the Foundation; and
- A nonprofit organization with mission and programs focused on, but not limited to, the arts, civic engagement, education, environment, health, homelessness, and hunger alleviation.
Nomination forms must arrive at the Arlington Community Foundation office at 818 N. Quincy St., Suite 103, by 5:00pm on September 15, 2011.
FAQs Related to the Prize, Eligibility, and Criteria
1. Why is the Arlington Community Foundation presenting this Prize at this time?
This $20,000 Prize celebrates the Foundation's 20th Anniversary. Through the Prize's association with the Campaign for Arlington, we hope to "light a prairie fire of giving" in Arlington. The Campaign for Arlington has a goal of raising $15 million to increase ACF's ability to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who live and work in Arlington. This Prize, coupled with the Campaign for Arlington, signals a new era for the Arlington Community Foundation.
2. What does "Arlington-based nonprofit" mean? The nominee organization should be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Arlington County.
3. What does "serving Arlington County" mean - can the nominee organization serve other jurisdictions? A nominee must provide services in Arlington but eligible nominees may serve other jurisdictions as well.
4. What does "a recent grantee of ACF mean? Nominees must have received a grant from the Community Foundation or its Donor Funds sometime in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 or 2011. This Prize celebrates ACF's 20th Anniversary and leverages ACF's previous investments in Arlington's nonprofit community.
5. What does "mission and programs focused, but not limited to..." mean? This competition seeks a nonprofit organization that exemplifies innovation and is poised to have an important impact, but may be focused in a variety of service areas that benefit the community.
6. What does "exemplifies innovation" mean? Arlington is an innovative, problem-solving community. ACF values creative approaches to meeting current and emerging issues. ACF is a catalyst for positive change and invests in organizations with the potential to transform our community. With this prize we seek to award creative approaches in nonprofit management and/or service delivery, leading to increased impact.
7. What does "significant impact" mean? Recognizing that there are yet more unmet needs, the Foundation prioritizes investments in organizations that have an ability to achieve significant results that can change lives, make a lasting difference, and help transform Arlington, making the County a better place for those who live and work here.
8. Can organizations self-nominate? Yes, ACF prefers that a board member from the nonprofit submit the nomination. Only one nomination per organization is preferred (multiple nominators are encouraged to collaborate on one nomination).
9. Could two or more organizations apply together if they feel they have an initiative that demonstrates innovation and impact? Yes. Their nomination will be evaluated by the same criteria as a single organization (at least one of the organizations must meet all the eligibility criteria).
10. When will the winner be announced? ACF expects to make a public announcement at the ACF Spirit of Community Luncheon in November.
11. If I want to support the Arlington Community Foundation, where can I learn more about making donations and volunteering? Check out ACF's website at www.arlcf.org or contact a staff member or a board member.
12. What is the Campaign for Arlington and where can I find more information? The Campaign for Arlington is a celebration of the Arlington Community Foundation's 20th anniversary and an opportunity to transform Arlington County through the power of philanthropy. The Campaign will broaden the number and size of grants and scholarships the Foundation makes each year. In fact, it will nearly triple the Foundation's impact - to about $2 million per year. This will significantly increase the Foundation's ability to make a difference in the lives of Arlington students and in the work of Arlington nonprofit organizations. For more details check out www.arlcf.org.
Founded in 1991, the Arlington Community Foundation is an independent charitable organization that actively promotes, protects and improves the quality of life for those who live or work in Arlington. The Foundation provides philanthropic leadership and raises capital for grants and scholarships to address community needs now and in the future. Since 1994, the Arlington Community Foundation has awarded over $2million in college scholarships to more than 600 Arlington students and over $4million in grants to nonprofits and schools. For more information on the Arlington Community Foundation please visit our website at www.arlcf.org or call 703.243.4785.
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