September 6, 2012
Cameron Foundation selects four local nonprofits to receive $90,000 through special recognition awards
PETERSBURG, VA — Marking the sixth year of its recognition award programs, The Cameron Foundation has chosen four local nonprofits to be honored for their outstanding community service and best practices in organizational management. This year’s recipients include Crisis Assistance Response Emergency Shelter, Inc. (CARES), The James House Intervention/Prevention Services, Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry (CCHASM), and Gateway Homes. The awards will be officially presented at the Foundation’s Annual Grant Awards Ceremony on October 24.
The selections are the result of two annual competitions for nonprofit organizations within the Foundation’s service area of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, the counties of Dinwiddie, Prince George, and Sussex, and the portion of Chesterfield County south of Rt. 10.
For the 2012 Cleveland A. Wright Award for Outstanding Community Service, members of the community were encouraged to nominate an organization that they felt had demonstrated a commitment to caring and generosity of spirit, as well as openness and accessibility. This award was named in honor of The Cameron Foundation’s first president (and current board member) for his exemplary and untiring commitment to the Foundation’s mission. By the May 30 deadline, nominations had been received for 13 different organizations. Of those eligible for consideration, eight moved forward through the competitive process. A panel of community representatives led by Foundation director Donald L. Haraway reviewed and scored the applications then recommended CARES to The Cameron Foundation’s board. In addition to receiving the award, CARES will be given an unrestricted $40,000 gift.
For the Excellence in Organizational Management Award, nonprofit organizational staff or board members applied on behalf of their organization. The application process was similar to an internal audit or self-assessment, and organizations were encouraged to use it as an opportunity to measure themselves against national best practices in organizational management. It was anticipated that this program would see a smaller pool of candidates due to the rigorous nature of the process, and a total of six applications were received by the June 18 deadline.
Along with committee chair and Foundation director Pam Comstock, four additional community members reviewed and scored the applications then chose to honor The James House Intervention/Prevention Services with the first place award. Along with this distinction, The James House will receive an unrestricted gift of $30,000 for demonstrating excellence in overall organizational management. This organization had secured an honorable mention in 2011 under this program and also was the 2008 recipient of the Cleveland A. Wright Award for Outstanding Community Service. The Excellence in Organizational Management Award review committee also voted this year to recognize CCHASM and Gateway Homes with honorable mention gifts of $10,000 each for exemplifying excellence in one or more of the specific areas reviewed during the scoring process.
The review committees of the Cleveland A. Wright Award for Outstanding Community Service and the Excellence in Organizational Management Award are made up of volunteers who live or work within the community. They are identified by the Foundation staff and board members, invited to serve, and approved by the Foundation’s board. Each committee is chaired by a member of the board, as well. The 2012 committee members for the Cleveland A. Wright Award for Outstanding Community Service include: Betty Moore Beverly, Robert S. Carlon, Shikee H. Franklin, Dr. William D. Irvin, Angela M. Orrell, and Pastor J. David Tolbert. Committee members for the 2012 Excellence in Organizational Management Award include: Dr. Virginia R. Cherry, Dr. Ray L. Drinkwater, Heather Turbyne-Pollard, and Carol D. Woodward.