Awards, Nov 30, 2000

The following awards have been presented for work in fund raising, nonprofit management, philanthropy, and volunteerism:

Corporate philanthropy. The Community Foundation of New Jersey has named Panasonic Consumer Electronics (Secaucus, N.J.) its 2000 Corporate Philanthropist of the Year for the company’s support of New Jersey nonprofit programs in arts, education, health, and social welfare, including donation of products for a contest in which students created public-service announcements against drug use and a program in which schoolchildren create videos about subjects they are studying. The community foundation’s honor also comes with a $15,000 grant for the winner to give to New Jersey nonprofit groups.

— The Grand Circle Corporation (Boston) has received the corporate 2000 Hero of Philanthropy Award from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives for improving the quality of life for Boston residents and financially supporting charities. Both through employee-led volunteer programs and the Grand Circle Foundation, the company has donated time and funds to many different local groups.

Education. Bill and Melinda Gates have received the Public Education Network’s Crossing the River Jordan Award for creative leadership in challenging existing systems and creating opportunities for academic achievement. The Gateses were honored for the creation of their foundation, which works to improve education and provides technology to the schools.

Management. The Alliance for Nonprofit Management (Washington) has presented the Terry McAdam Book Award for the best new book on nonprofit management in 1999-2000 to Resolving Conflict in Nonprofit Organizations, by Marion Peters Angelica. The book was published by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.

The organization also selected It’s Simple: Money Matters for the Nonprofit Board Member, by Richard and Anna Linzer, to receive an honorable mention. That book was published by Port Madison Press.

Prospect research. The Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (Westmont, Ill.) awarded its 2000 Distinguished Service Award to Joseph R. Boeke, director of advancement and information services at Bucknell University, in Lewisburg, Pa. Sponsored by Bentz Whaley Flessner (Minneapolis), the award is given to an individual for exceptional service to the prospect-research profession.

Volunteers. The Pittsburgh Foundation has presented its 2000 Isabel P. Kennedy Award for Volunteer Leadership to Milton A. Washington, chairman of SSM Industries (Pittsburgh) and general partner in the Keystone Minority Capital Fund (Pittsburgh). The award recognizes the exemplary volunteer achievements of an Allegheny County, Pa., resident. Mr. Washington was honored for his work with two Pittsburgh nonprofit organizations: the Extra Mile Education Fund, which provides educational opportunities to inner-city youths, and the Minority Enterprise Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which assists minority entrepreneurs. The award carries a prize of $1,000 for the recipient and another $10,000 for a charity of the recipient’s choice.