Two Cambridge Nonprofits Named Nonprofit Excellence Award Finalists
BOSTON- May X, 2014The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network(MNN) is pleased to announce that two Cambridge nonprofits: Community Dispute Settlement Center, Inc., a mediation-services organization, and Adrienne Klein, Community Outreach Director of Cambridge Community Services, a youth-development organization, have been selected as finalists for the 2014 Nonprofit Excellence Awards. The Excellence Awards will be presented at MNN’s celebration of Nonprofit Awareness Day, a statewide holiday on June 9 that highlights the work of the nonprofit sector and raises awareness of causes throughout Massachusetts.
“Nonprofit Awareness Day was created to recognize the impact and importance of the more than 33,000 nonprofits and almost half a million nonprofit employees that provide invaluable services and are the cornerstones of our communities,” said Rick Jakious, CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. “The Excellence Award finalists truly exemplify the most innovative, creative, and effective work being done throughout the Commonwealth.”
Excellence Award finalists are nominated by community members and peers and are selected by an independent panel of nonprofit leaders. This year, MNN received a record 209 Nonprofit Excellence Award nominations. Finalists will be recognized and winners will be announced at the Nonprofit Awareness Day celebration at the State House on June 9, presented by MNN and Citizens Bank.
Community Dispute Settlement Center, Inc. (CDSC) is a finalist for the Small Nonprofit Award. The organization helps people resolve disputes related to divorce, housing, workplace, and consumer issues, by bringing them together to find mutual solutions. CDSC also offers professional mediator training and customized workshops on dealing with conflict and preventing violence.
“Being recognized by MNN with a Small Nonprofit Award is a great honor. For thirty-five years CDSC’s mantra has been ‘doing more with less.’ A small and dedicated team of staff and volunteers—mediators, interns and the Board of Directors—makes all of our accomplishments possible. Thanks to this great team effort, CDSC will continue to respond to community needs,” said Gail S. Packer, MSW, Executive Director, CDSC.
Adrienne Klein, Community Outreach Director of Cambridge Community Services (CCS), is a finalist for the Young Nonprofit Professional Award. Thanks to Adrienne’s efforts, the nonprofit, a community-based organization whose mission is to identify emerging needs in the community and design innovative, collaborative solutions, has increased fundraising revenue by more than 300%; improved volunteer recruitment; and more than doubled the number of mentors they train and match with students in need.
“Cambridge Community Services is thrilled to have the impressive accomplishments of Adrienne Klein recognized by MNN. Adrienne has contributed an unbelievable amount to our organization, proven herself as a true leader in Cambridge, and tangibly improved the lives of the Cambridge youth we serve. Her impact on our organization and the community is immeasurable and we’re very proud of her,” said Benjamin Clarke, Executive Director of CCS.
Nonprofits across the state will also be engaging in a social media campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagramleading up to June 9 and will use the hashtag #nonprofitsmakesense to highlight their unique contributions to their communities. Details are available here.
About the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) is the voice of the entire nonprofit sector in Massachusetts. MNN was launched in 2007 and is the only statewide organization dedicated to strengthening communities by serving nonprofit organizations through advocacy, public awareness, and capacity building. MNN has more than 625 member organizations, representing nonprofits in every part of Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands. For more information about the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, visit www.massnonprofitnet.org
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