In 2010, The Frist Foundation once again will distribute $105,000 in awards to organizations that best exemplify improvement and achievement in nonprofit managmeent. In 2009, the Foundation recognized nine organizations through its Award of Achievement program. Winners in each of three categories received $20,000 unrestricted grants, and two finalists in each category received grants of $7,500 apiece. The categories and grant recipients are listed below and can be viewed on video by clicking here:

• Innovation in Action: The winner in this category was the Youth Opportunity Center, a building created to house multiple agencies serving youth, opening the opportunity for synergy through integrated services. The project was begun in 2006 by the Oasis Center and STARS Nashville. It now houses 12 agencies. The runners-up in this category were Monroe Harding, which operates a resource center for former foster youth; and Second Harvest Food Bank, which has dramatically expanded its supply lines through new partnerships with grocers.
• Making a Difference: Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee won this category for its work promoting infant health. Runners-up were Health Assist Tennessee for its work on behalf of people without health insurance; and the Homework Hotline, which fields phone calls from school children needing help with homework.
• Team Building: The winner here was the PENCIL Foundation’s LP PENCIL Box program, which helps kids who can't afford school supplies. Runners-up were Our Kids, which works on behalf of children affected by sexual abuse; and the Interfaith Dental Clinic, which provides affordable dental care to the underserved.

The awards were initiated to encourage and recognize outstanding nonprofit management. Since then, the awards have attracted more than 500 nominations from Nashville nonprofit organizations. The Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM) has administered the awards program since 1993.

The 2009 awards were presented in September at CNM's Salute to Excellence banquet. The 2010 event is scheduled for September 21. The event typically attracts nearly 1,000 members of the nonprofit community including staff, board members and volunteers.

The 2010 award applications will be available through the Center for Nonprofit Management. For deadlines and procedures for applying for the Awards of Achievement, visit the CNM website at http://www.cnm.org.