John W. Gardner Leadership Award

Posted by on December 13, 2010

Independent Sector Opens Nomination Process for Gardner Leadership Award
Deadline: January 31, 2011

Independent Sector presents the John W. Gardner Leadership Award to honor outstanding Americans who exemplify the leadership and the ideals of John W. Gardner (1912-2002), American statesman and founding chair of Independent Sector. Independent Sector presents the award each year to a living American whose leadership in or with the nonprofit community has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes that improve people’s lives. The award honors visionaries who have empowered constituencies, strengthened participation, and inspired movements.

Award recipients are individuals whose leadership has had national or international impact or, if at the regional level, has attracted wide recognition and imitation. Recipients, who may be of any age, may be the creators of needed institutions or may concentrate on education and advocacy that changes public opinion. Whatever means they use, their work has transformed their chosen field and has served as a role model to other fields.

The nomination should come from someone who knows the candidate well and has the ability to recognize them as a strong leader. These can be board members or other staff within the same organization as the nominee, or, preferably, a well-respected member of an unrelated organization who is very familiar with the candidate’s contributions and impact. Candidates are seldom self-nominated.

The winner must be present at the award ceremony, which will be held at Independent Sector’s Annual Conference in Chicago on Monday, October 31, 2011.

Visit the Independent Sector Web site for complete program information and nomination guidelines.

http://www.independentsector.org/gardner_leadership_award