Eight Areas of Nonprofit Excellence

Key factors considered by the Awards Selection Committee in reviewing applications and selecting awardees are outlined in the Eight Areas of Nonprofit Excellence document. 

The eight areas are:

• Overall management focus on results
• Governance structure that moves the organization forward
• Strong, transparent and accountable financial management
• Inclusive, diverse and responsive organizational practices
• Enlightened use of human resources 
• Appropriate and reliable information technology (IT) systems
• Regular and effective communications and use of communications technology
• Effective, ethical fundraising and resource development

The strongest applications tend to be from those organizations with excellent management practices in a  majority of these areas and where discussion and reflection have been invested by staff, Board members, volunteers and other stakeholders prior to completing the application. The Awards are designed to identify and promote excellent management practices that will provide useful examples of best practices for other nonprofits. We hope that the questions in the 2013 New York Community Trust-New York Magazine Nonprofit Excellence Awards Part One Application will stimulate that goal.