Learn from the experience of our winners!
The annual Board Leadership Award not only recognizes outstanding, highly successful boards, but also provides an opportunity for all of us to learn from their journeys to extraordinary.
Presenting the Center's 7th annual Board Best Practices Video Shorts, including interviews with leaders from our award Winner, Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School and Honorable Mentions, Horton’s Kids and New Futures.
First release: Data-Informed Decision Making
Cast: Robbie Dean, Board Chair, Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
This conversation explores the Carlos Rosario Board implemented practices for effective collection and analysis of data to inform strategic decisions and guide the school’s future. The data helps shape Board discussions, supports strategic governance and improves both current policies and long-term planning.
Second release: Asset Mapping and Relationship-Building
Cast: Erica Ahdoot, Executive Director and Tyrec Grooms, Board Member, Horton’s Kids
In this video, we’ll explore how Horton’s Kids implemented asset mapping—a process to identify and leverage the strengths and resources already present in a community. When expanding into a new area of Washington, D.C., they used this tool to focus efforts effectively, avoid redundancy and ensure their work aligned with real needs. We’ll also cover key lessons from their experience.
Third release: Board Evolution
Cast: Sherrod Willams, CEO and Lori Jackson, Board Chair, New Futures
Boards evolve over time. Early on, they focus on day-to-day operations, which is normal. The goal, however, is to shift toward governance and strategy. In this video, we’ll discuss New Futures' Board journey and how they’ve advanced in this evolution.
Congratulations to the 2026 award Winner:
Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
The Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School has over five decades of experience empowering the diverse population of Washington, DC, through English as a second language (ESL) programs, workforce development, and comprehensive support services. Since its founding, more than 80,000 adult learners have graduated, many becoming educators, healthcare professionals, leaders, and advocates.
... and our Honorable Mentions:
Horton's Kids
Founded in 1989, Horton’s Kids partners with children and families in under-resourced communities in Southeast DC through a place-based, whole-family model designed to support long-term success. The organization makes a 13-year commitment to each child, providing consistent, year-round support from early childhood through high school graduation to ensure young people are prepared for college, career, and life. By working alongside families and removing barriers to opportunity, Horton’s Kids delivers integrated academic, youth development, and family stabilization services while leveraging strong community and cross-sector partnerships to deepen impact.
New Futures
Founded in 1999, New Futures empowers underserved young people to build financially secure careers through shorter-term credentials like associate degrees and certifications. Beyond scholarships, it provides personalized advising, skill-building, and wraparound support, achieving an 86% success rate among recent Scholars. Rooted in equity and community, New Futures fosters inclusion, integrity, and individual growth, envisioning a region where everyone has access to education, opportunity, and a voice in their community.
Click on the title of each organization to learn about their experience going through the award process, what it means to be a finalist and what advice they would give other organizations/Board members striving for excellence in Board leadership.
Thank you to everyone who makes this award possible:
Our selection committee dedicates their time for several months to focus on thoroughly reviewing all nominations, participating in interviews, and attending site visits.
With support and input from area experts, the Center created this award in 2011 to recognize and spotlight outstanding leadership from nonprofit Boards of Directors in the Greater Washington area.
This award distinguishes those Boards that go above and beyond recommended standards and fundamentals to bring new levels of leadership to their role, resulting in positive changes and notable successes for their organizations. To win the award, all candidates must go through an extensive selection process that includes nominations, interviews, and final site visits.
Nominations can be made by Board members, staff members, volunteers, clients or community members, and can be made with or without the candidate’s knowledge.
If you have any questions about the process, please email seans@nonprofitadvancement.org.