Each day this week on our blog we are highlighting a finalist for The Washington Post 2011 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.

Meet Post Award Finalist Horton’s Kids

Horton’s Kids’ mission is to educate and empower the children of Washington, DC’s Ward 8 by providing comprehensive, direct services which improve the quality of their daily lives and nurture each child’s desire and ability to succeed. Their wrap-around programs include one-on-one tutoring, an older youth program, health and basic needs services, educational advocacy, parent empowerment, and enrichment activities. Horton’s Kids’ staff includes 11 full-time and 9 part-time employees and with support from 500 volunteers annually. The organization’s budget size is approximately $1.3 million.

Q & A with Post Award Finalist Horton’s Kids

What does this award mean for you and your organization?

Horton’s Kids is extremely honored and grateful to be chosen as a finalist for this award. Being a finalist adds to the legitimacy of our organization and further highlights the quality work of our dedicated staff. For more than 20 years, Horton’s Kids has evolved and strengthened our programs by listening to our stakeholders, learning through experience, and adapting strategies and practices as needed. The award validates this long-term progress. Finally, Horton’s Kids is looking forward to leveraging this honor as we reach out to existing and potential funders, partners, and supporters.

What have you learned through the application process for The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management?

Our team uses the outlined management practices on a daily basis, but we do not regularly write about the topic. Our operations flow smoothly and often feel casual. Completing this application gave Horton’s Kids a chance to connect all the pieces in one place and appreciate the sophisticated management structure that we have created over the years.

What advice would you offer for other nonprofit leaders/organizations striving for excellence in nonprofit management?

• Be aware of organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Assess these often and from various stakeholder perspectives.
• Recognize opportunities in every challenge, and be open about areas of weakness, so that you can be resourceful in overcoming them; awareness and desire for improvement must be part of team mentality.
• Identify what values are the pillars of your organization and ensure that the leadership team embodies these values, so they can pass on organizational culture to other staff members and future leaders.
• Integrate change and new initiatives into existing, successful organizational systems. Align this with the organizational culture, so improvement can happen naturally and efficiently.

Learn more about Horton’s Kids:

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook

Register Now for the Best Practices Celebration on Wednesday, May 25 at The Washington Post.

Learn more about the Award.