The Tennessean devoted significant coverage to the finalists of Salute to Excellence 2009. Here is a portion of the article that featured quotes from CNM representatives:

More than 100 nonprofits applied for one of the 2009 Salute to Excellence awards, but only 25 will compete for the prizes at this year’s awards ceremony Sept. 17.

The awards, hosted by the Center for Nonprofit Management, recognize the groups and people who’ve made extraordinary efforts in the nonprofit community this year.

“It is important for CNM to recognize these individuals and agencies for a job well done and reinforce the importance of effective leadership in the nonprofit sector,” said Corinne Ciocia, marketing and communications manager for CNM. “The breadth of the awards extends not only to the work of organizations, but includes individual honors for deserving executives, board members, and those serving on the ‘front lines’ helping deliver services to those in need.”

This year, CNM will present nine awards totaling nearly $160,000. The finalists for the awards are chosen by nine different panels made up of Middle Tennessee community leaders.

Hope Stringer, panel chairman for the Frist Foundation Making a Difference award, said the panel came away from each applicant interview with even greater respect for those nonprofits that set out to help those who are unable to find help on their own.

“The finalists for this year do an extraordinary job of serving unmet needs in the areas of health care, post-natal care and education. We were tremendously impressed by the passion of the staff and boards of these not-for-profits dedicated to achieving their missions on a daily basis.”

Sallie Hussey, chairman of the panel for the Ford Motor Company Excellence in Communications award, said the applicants showed what agencies can do with few resources, overcoming marketing and communication struggles with very creative ideas and limited dollars.

“I’ve been in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years, having come from the corporate world,” said Hussey, CEO for the League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. “It reinforced my belief that well-run nonprofits will continue to thrive. Nonprofit businesses have the exact same challenges as for-profit organizations. The difference is they have to tackle them more creatively, with fewer resources, and while never compromising the mission.”

For more information:
http://blog.cnm.org/tennessean-showcases-salute-finalists/