Nonprofit of the Year Award
2024 Nonprofit of the Year Award
About the Athens Area Community Foundation
In 2008, the Athens Area Community Foundation arose from the community-led Partners for a Prosperous Athens/One Athens initiative, and although our focus has broadened, the Athens Area Community Foundation maintains the generous spirit of its roots by leading philanthropy in the region. With assets over $37 million, the Athens Area Community Foundation has grown considerably since its inception and has made more than $36 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving our communities. The Athens Area Community Foundation works to help passionate donors leave permanent legacies, foster strategic philanthropy, and shape effective responses to community needs through collaboration.
Why have an annual award for nonprofits?
Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in our local business community, contributing significantly to the well-being, vitality, and infrastructure of our region.
The Athens Area Community Foundation Nonprofit of the Year Award seeks to elevate the role of local nonprofits as part of our business community. The Nonprofit of the Year Award exists to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of nominated nonprofits who display exemplary practices in leadership, management, innovation, collaboration, and impact. The Athens Area Community Foundation recognizes that when nonprofit organizations are strong, the community is as well.
What is the Athens Area Community Foundation Nonprofit of the Year Award?
The Athens Area Community Foundation Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizes and rewards nonprofit organizations in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties that promote excellence in leadership, management, innovation, collaboration, and impact.
The nomination process takes place between October and November each year. Board members, staff, and community members are encouraged to submit a nomination. Nonprofit organizations who receive a nomination will be notified and asked to complete an application to provide additional context on their operations and programs.
A Selection Committee will review all applications and select up to 30 final nominees as well as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year Honoree.
The Athens Area Community Foundation celebrates all final nominees throughout December, ending with our annual nominee reception to gather together, uplift each other, and highlight the achievements of the nonprofit business sector that supports our community all year long. The Honoree of the award will be announced in February of each year at the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting.
Award Criteria
The Athens Area Community Foundation Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizes and rewards nonprofit organizations in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties that promote excellence in leadership, management, innovation, collaboration, and impact.
2024 Nonprofit of the Year Nominees must meet each criteria:
- Must be an active 501(c)3 organization operating within the Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties, confirmed by GuideStar Charity Check.
- Must have been in operation for a minimum of 3 years.
- Staff and board demonstrates strong leadership and management practices through clear vision for future growth.
- Demonstrates innovation and cooperation through problem solving, original programs, and collaboration with other organizations.
- Shows community impact by demonstrating positive change as a result of the organization’s work.
Nonprofit of the Year Honorees
2019 – Extra Special People
2021 – Athens Area Homeless Shelter
2022 – Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
2023 – Athens Community Council on Aging
2024 – Project Safe
2024 Nonprofit of the Year Nominees
