We knew that the folks over at Blue Avocado and Nonprofit Online News were quite brilliant. Now we know that they also have a keen sense of humor. And timing. They’ve recently announced The Just Awards which will highlight the irrational, the irresponsible, and the irrelevant organizational behaviors that most damage the work of the nonprofit sector. They will announce the “winners” of these awards immediately preceding the annual conference of the Council on Foundations. Which is perfect timing. I have no doubt one of the foundations that “will win” a Justie will be in attendance at the COF conference. Like, I would put good money on it. I love the concept for this project because I do think we really do need to begin thinking more deeply about the behaviors we want to reward in the nonprofit sector and call out bad behaviors when we see them.
From the website:
The Just Awards are the IgNobel Prizes of civil society. With the support of a panel of respected judges and with a particular emphasis on the worlds of philanthropy and the press, we will offer awards each year to those organizations who best exemplify the foibles of our sector.
Some awards of this nature are just for fun. Others are intended to help make change. The Just Awards will be both. In the case of philanthropy, this means looking sharply at how funders behave in ways that separate them from the people they serve, damage the organizations they support, and subvert their missions. In the case of the press, this means calling attention to the worst coverage of civil society.
There will be two “Justies” awarded in 2010:
Narcissism in Philanthropy
Awarded to a foundation, corporation, trust, or donor for displaying amazing narcissism during 2009 in the practice of philanthropy.
Abominable Media Coverage of the Nonprofit Sector
Awarded to a newspaper, magazine, website, radio program or other media reporting on U.S. nonprofit organizations and/or the U.S. nonprofit sector, for abominable press cover in 2009.
Anyone may submit nominations and your name will be kept confidential. The awards will be announced during the week of April 20, 2010, immediately preceding the annual conference of the Council on Foundations. The Just Awards is a joint project of Blue Avocado and Nonprofit Online News.
Read more about the awards here and nominate someone!
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Melinda Lewis
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