The Center for Nonprofit Advancement today announces Greenbrier Learning Center and N Street Village as winners of the 2011 Board Leadership Award. In its inaugural year, this competitive award, in partnership with Reznick Group and BoardSource, recognizes the role that boards play in building and sustaining successful organizations by executing their fiduciary and leadership responsibilities—assuring that they are well led, well supported and responsive to the people and communities they serve.

Two organizations’ Board of Directors were named as the Center’s 2011 Board Leadership Award winners—one for an organization with an annual budget under $2 million and one for an organization with an annual budget over $2 million.

Greenbrier Learning Center of Arlington, Va., promotes education, youth leadership and strong families through structured enrichment programs beyond the school day. The Award Selection Committee noted the board’s energized engagement, culture of learning and continuous improvement, and sound financial management in their award selection in the $2 million budget category.

N Street Village of Washington, DC, empowers homeless and low-income women to claim their highest quality of life by offering a broad spectrum of services and advocacy in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. The Award Selection Committee noted the board’s consistent focus on partnership with the executive director and senior staff, strategic thinking, critical questioning, and ability to raise the bar on board participation in their award selection in the over $2 million budget category.

“The Center's inaugural Board Leadership Award finalists emerged as the highest functioning among thousands of nonprofits in the greater Washington region,” said Center CEO Glen O’Gilvie. “Through this long competition they have been tenacious and transparent, sharing the ins and outs of their innovative strategies. We are proud to name N Street Village and Greenbrier Learning Center our 2011 Winners and look forward to motivating other organizations to replicate these great practices.”

As winners in the Award’s two categories, Greenbrier Learning Center and N Street Village each receive a $10,000 grant, communication exposure through print, radio, television and social media, and training and development opportunities for the board and CEO from BoardSource and through the Center’s Learning & Leadership Institute.

In addition, the Center recognized Accokeek Foundation of Accokeek, Md., Capital Partners for Education of Washington, DC and Home Care Partners of Washington, DC with Honorable Mention Awards.

Each honorable mention recipient receives communication exposure through print, radio, television and social media, and training and development opportunities for the board and CEO from the Center’s Learning & Leadership Institute.

The award Selection Committee, made up of distinguished members of the business, philanthropic and nonprofit community, searched for examples of outstanding boards that have moved beyond recommended best practices to bring new levels of engagement and focus within the board that deliver results for the organization.

Finalists were selected through a three-step judging process including a comprehensive nomination form, in person interview with board members and the executive director, and a site visit/meeting attended by board members, the executive director and representatives from the community served.

The Board Leadership Award was launched in 2011 by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and is sponsored by Reznick Group and BoardSource.

N Street Village was the recipient of the Center’s The Washington Post 2006 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. In 2007, former executive director Mary Funke was recognized with the Center’s Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman EXCEL Award for excellence in chief executive leadership.

Home Care Partners was the recipient of Honorable Mention recognition for The Washington Post 2007 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.

About the Center for Nonprofit Advancement

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement strengthens the capacity of nonprofit organizations throughout Greater Washington, D.C. The Center directly partners with nearly 1,000 nonprofits (our members) helping them achieve their missions through training and technical assistance programs, networking, advocacy and group buying power.