The United Way Awards of Excellence were established to recognize effective and inspirational nonprofit executive directors/presidents and also volunteer board of directors.

Nominations Have Begun for the 2008 Awards of Excellence!

We were delighted with the community's response to the 2007 Awards of Excellence. Our Awards dinner, with keynote speaker Governor Mark Warner, was a huge success in recognizing our 2007 nominees and award honorees (see below).

The Excellence in Nonprofit Board Governance nominations, underwritten by Suntrust Bank, will again be reviewd by a panel of local citizens and chaired by Leonard Sandridge, Executive Vice President and COO of the University of Virginia. The Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership nominations, underwritten by Hantzmon and Wiebel, will be reviewed by a panel chaired by Jim Haden, President of Martha Jefferson Hospital. The organization of each award recipient will receive a $2,500 cash award.

Nominations for both awards are due no later than Thursday, February 28, 2008. Click here to download a nomination form and instructions.

2007 Inaugural Nonprofit Awards of Excellence

Nonprofit Board Governance Chair:

Nonprofit Leadership Chair:

Leonard Sandridge
Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer,
University of Virginia

Jim Haden
President,
Martha Jefferson Hospital

"Nominations came from board members or staff recognizing excellence in their executive directors, and from executive directors who were inspired by and appreciative of their boards," notes Cathy Train, United Way President. Nominations addressed specific criteria for each award, and stressed adherence to mission plus creativity and leadership in serving local residents.

Former Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner delivered the keynote address to a capacity crowd, emphasizing the growing importance of nonprofits in a rapidly changing world.

Former Gov. Mark Warner