The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at North Park University presented the third annual Alford-Axelson Awards for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence to Deborah's Place and Seguin Services at its annual symposium in May. More than 650 nonprofit professionals attended the symposium, which explored improving performance in the nonprofit sector.
The Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence was established in 2001 in honor of Jimmie R. Alford and Nils Axelson as a tribute to their lifelong commitment to creating and sustaining excellent, mission-driven nonprofit organizations. This year's winners were selected from a pool of 48 nominees, by a committee comprised of Chicago-area nonprofit and corporate leaders. Both organizations received an unrestricted grant of $5,000, thanks to the support of BankOne Corporation and ShoreBank.
Deborah's Place (deborahsplace.org), this year's most managerially excellent nonprofit organization with an annual budget under $5 million, is Chicago's largest provider of supportive housing exclusively for women, and is recognized as an innovative leader among homeless service providers locally and nationally. Deborah's Place offers a complete continuum of shelter and housing options, all linked with vital supportive services. Deborah's Place administrative offices plus 90 units of permanent supportive housing are located in East Garfield Park, 2822 W. Jackson Blvd. The organization also operates shelters, housing, and centers for support services in Bucktown (1742 N. Milwaukee Ave.), Lake View (1456 W. Oakdale Ave.), and Old Town (1530 N. Sedgwick St.).
Seguin Services, Inc. (seguin.org), this year's most managerially excellent nonprofit organization with an annual budget over $5 million, offers programs that enable children and adults with disabilities to fulfill their dreams of happiness, productivity, and independence through job programs, classes, foster care and adoption services, and housing. Seguin headquarters are located at 3100 S. Central Ave., Cicero, IL.
Honorable Mentions were awarded to St. Leonard's Ministries, Heartland Alliance, Chinese American Service League, and Young Women's Leadership Charter School.
In reviewing the 48 nonprofit organizations that were nominated for this year's awards, North Park's selection committee considered to what extent each organization embodies and exhibits the following: clear, compelling, and well-communicated mission and vision; coherent organizational strategy that aligns programs and services to mission; strong and effective leadership by staff and board; solid financial management; diversified funding model; well-developed fundraising and external relations program; strong sense of integrity throughout organization's culture; and a shared sense of purpose and values within organization and among key external constituents. |
