Leaders & Luminaries Award About the Award: The Bank of Maine has served the people and communities of our state since 1834 including the nonprofit organizations that provide vital resources and benefits to those communities. The Bank of Maine Charitable Foundation, through its Leaders & Luminaries Award, will honor four nonprofit board members who have made important contributions to their communities through outstanding leadership of their organizations. There are several key ways in which a nonprofit board member can demonstrate good governance of an organization. A board member must: Play a leading role in helping the organization define and achieve its mission. Provide active and helpful oversight of the activities and financial stability of the organization. Provide leadership in helping to create the organization s strategic direction and vision. Set an example for other board members and mentor newly appointed members. One grand prize winner will receive $10,000 for his/her nonprofit while the other three winners will each receive $2,500 for their organizations.
Leaders and Luminaries Award Criteria: Maine based nonprofits are encouraged to nominate a board member who has demonstrated inspiration, creativity and ingenuity in board governance which has led to the organization s growth, successful transition or financial stability. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations or groups that demonstrate tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue service Code Section 501(c)(3). The board member must be currently serving on the board and not employed by the organization. The size, age, budget and mission of the organization are not material in consideration for this award. In reviewing applications, the selection committee will take into account the funds, staff and volunteers available to the organization, as well as how effectively it has allocated those resources to fulfill its mission. Notes: If an organization that is based in Maine is actually part of a larger, national nonprofit, then the nominee must be from the Maine branch of the organization. Award recipients are not eligible to participate in the competition for the following five years.
The Selection Process: 1. The General Application and questions are available online at 2. All of the questions must be answered. Responses should be submitted as a PDF (.pdf) or Word (.doc) file, along with the General Application, via e-mail or mail to: e-mail: charitablefoundation@thebankofmaine.com Mail: The Bank of Maine Attn: Leaders & Luminaries 2015 Two Canal Plaza Portland, ME 04101 3. Responses should be limited to three pages and submitted prior to the deadline of August 28, 2015. 4. No prior or current relationship with The Bank of Maine will be considered or is necessary to receive the award. 5. Employees of The Bank of Maine are not eligible to participate. 6. A selection committee consisting of the following individuals will determine the awards: a. Scott Schnapp Executive Director of Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) b. Two executives of The Bank of Maine Charitable Foundation c. Three other Maine community members who have been active in the nonprofit community. 7. All winners are required to participate in the award presentation to be held on November 5, 2015 at the MANP Nonprofit Finance Conference at the Harraseeket Inn located in Freeport, Maine. 8. Each winner may be asked to give a brief overview regarding his or her organization s story upon presentation of the award. 9. All information submitted will be confidential.
How Will Awards be Determined? The selection committee will be looking for applicants that best demonstrate how a board member has effectively used inspiration, creativity and ingenuity in board governance which has led to the organization s growth, successful transition or financial stability. Applications must provide detailed, concrete examples of how these factors have contributed to the organization s success. Questions: 1. What is the organization s mission statement? 2. Provide one detailed example describing how the nominee s actions supported the organization s mission? 3. What inspired the nominee to begin his or her board service? 4. Acting as a nonprofit board member is a selfless act of duty. Provide one detailed example of how the nominee has demonstrated outstanding leadership in order to further the needs, interests and financial stability of the organization. 5. One of the most important aspects of governance is thinking and acting in a creative and insightful way. Provide one detailed example of how the nominee incorporates inspiration, creativity and ingenuity into his/her approach to board governance.
General Application Nominee: Title of Nominated Member: Years on Board: Organization: Street Address: City: Phone: E-mail: Website: Date of Incorporation: Localities Served: Number of Employees: Number of Volunteers: Annual Volunteer Hours: Annual Revenue ($): Number of Board Members: Number of people served: Explanation regarding any significant changes in net asset position, expense structure or any revenue generation: Nomination Submitted by: Nominator s Role in the Organization: Signature: Date: Phone: E-mail: