-- Clear mission and demonstrated impact of programs on target groups
served;
-- Creative strategies to generate revenue;
-- Strong budget and financial policies;
-- Evidence of strategic innovation;
-- Attention to support for the growth and development of staff;
-- A governing board that is demonstrably engaged with the organization,
contributes financially to support the mission, and ensures organizational
accountability; and
-- Engagement with their community.
Established in 2002, the Alford-Axelson award program is sponsored by CHASE
and ShoreBank. The award is given annually to two nonprofit organizations
that exemplify extraordinary managerial excellence. The award is named in
honor of leading nonprofit thinker, Jimmie R. Alford, and devoted community
healthcare leader, Nils G. Axelson. In choosing this year's winners, a
panel of evaluators consisting of a group of Chicago's top nonprofit and
philanthropy leaders reviewed an applicant pool of 42 nominees. The award
comes with a $5,000 unrestricted grant for the two winning organizations.
Girls in the Game -- whose award was presented by Kimberly Jones, Business
Development Officer at ShoreBank -- provides and promotes sports and
fitness opportunities, health and nutrition education, and leadership
development programs to enhance the overall health and well-being of all
girls. Girls are encouraged to get in the game -- any game -- so they can
learn teamwork and determination, and to make choices that lead to a
happier, healthier life. Girls in the Game was founded in 1995, and is
located at the Union Park Fieldhouse, 1501 W. Randolph Street in Chicago.
CommunityHealth -- whose award was presented by Rosemary Mauck, Division
Manager at CHASE -- has been dedicated since its founding in 1993 to
serving the uninsured and underserved in Chicago and surrounding
communities. With comprehensive patient services and many institutional
affiliations, CommunityHealth is a leader among free clinics nationwide.
They offer an innovative model for providing compassionate and
comprehensive medical care to the uninsured, and are the largest
volunteer-staffed free medical facility in Illinois. CommunityHealth is
located at 2611 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago.
North Park University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management,
established in 1999, seeks to enhance the performance and effectiveness of
individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector through education,
service and resources. The Axelson Center's vision is to help build
vibrant communities in Chicago and beyond through strengthening nonprofit
leadership. For more information, visit www.northpark.edu/axelson.
About North Park University
Located in Chicago, North Park University is a Christian comprehensive
university that serves nearly 3,300 undergraduate and graduate students
from around the country and the world. Within a diverse, close-knit, urban
community, North Park offers a values-based education to students through
more than 30 undergraduate majors and an adult degree-completion program,
as well as graduate and continuing education in business, nonprofit
management, nursing, education, music, and theology. By integrating faith
with learning -- as it has done since its founding in 1891 by the
Evangelical Covenant Church -- North Park University continues to focus on
the important task of preparing students for lives of significance and
service. More information is available at www.northpark.edu.
Contact Information: Media Contacts: Joshua Taustein, for North Park University (312) 780-7219 jtaustein@dresnerco.com Aubrey Pauly, for North Park University (312) 780-7218 apauly@dresnerco.com