13th Annual NRC Conference:

Nonprofits Take Action!

 

Thank you to all who attended the Nonprofit Resource Center's 13th Annual Nonprofit Conference on September 10th. The event was a great success, with a variety of professional programs, workshops and opportunities to empower nonprofits to take action, enhance services and move forward.

 

Nonprofit leaders from across the Inland Empire were in attendance as well as Mayor Ronald Loveridge, who presented Nonprofit Award Recipients with proclamations from the City of Riverside. The NRC also welcomed guest speaker Mary Parks, Emmy Award-winning journalist from NBC4 in Los Angeles who gave an inspirational and on-point message about nonprofits taking action.

 

A special thank you to all our Conference Supporters & Contributors:

 

Premier Service Bank

First 5 Riverside

Riverside Community Health Foundation

Majestic Realty

Chick-fil-A Hidden Valley Parkway

Catering for a Cause, Family Service Association

                           

 

First Annual NRC Nonprofit Awards

 

This year marked the launch of the NRC Nonprofit Awards Program. This program is designed to recognize innovative, leading agencies and individuals in the nonprofit community of Riverside County. Congratulations to all our award recipients and a special thanks to the members of our Awards Selection Committee.

2010 Award Categories & Recipients

Nonprofit Award for Innovation:

This award recognizes creative applications and nontraditional approaches to solving community challenges. This organization brings creative solutions to community challenges and employs innovative or creative strategies in developing these solutions.

2010 Recipient: Health Assessment Resource Center (HARC)

HARC, Inc. is, itself, an innovative solution to what once was a major community challenge. Prior to HARC's creation, unbiased, baseline health data was virtually unavailable in Riverside County. Without this data, healthcare organizations were neither able to ensure that area needs were met nor able to adapt to changes brought by rapid increases in the local population. Although HARC is not quite five years old, it has provided advice, training, data and information to a variety of populations including collaborative groups, government, nonprofit agencies, media groups and the community.

Eileen Packer of HARC, Inc. accepting award and proclamation from Mayor Loveridge. Photo courtesy of Michael Ponce.

Nonprofit Excellence Award for Organizations:

This award recognizes overall organizational excellence in a Riverside County-based 501 (c) 3 organization that is at least three years old and has a local governance and management structure in place.

2010 Recipient: Stroke Recovery Center

The Stroke Recovery Center was founded in 1978 by cardiologist Irving Hirschleifer MD and offers a full spectrum of daily recreational programs, exercise and speech therapies designed to stimulate brain function, all free of charge. Also included are art programs, important social interactions with other clients and support groups for clients, family members and caregivers. The safe and positive environment at the Stroke Recovery Center aids stroke 'clients' in reaching their maximum potential after suffering the debilitation of stroke.

Stroke Recovery Center accepting award and proclamation from Mayor Loveridge. Photo courtesy of Michael Ponce.

Nonprofit Excellence Award for Individuals:

This award honors an individual who has had a profound effect on the nonprofit community in Riverside County. This individual is a contributor to the nonprofit sector and is employed or associated with a nonprofit organization. They have made a strong commitment and contribution to nonprofits.

2010 Recipient: Marion Mitchell-Wilson of the Inlandia Institute

Marion Mitchell-Wilson has woven her life into the fabric of nonprofit arts, culture and literature in the City of Riverside for 35 years. Make a list of pivotal moments that led to Riverside's status as the City of Arts & Innovation and you will find Marion present throughout. In addition to decades of nonprofit support and involvement, her current success is the Inlandia Institute, which is a literary center which seeks to bring focus to the richness of the literary enterprise that exists in the Inland Empire. Marion launched the organization which in two short years has published and launched three books, put on more than 25 free public literary programs, held workshops for aspiring writers, initiated a creative literacy program in schools and libraries and more. Inlandia and the literary arts in the region are significantly better for her involvement.

Marion Mitchell-Wilson accepting award and proclamation from Mayor Loveridge. Photo courtesy of Michael Ponce.

Friend of Nonprofits Award:

This award recognizes any entity or individual including but not limited to a local business, foundation, partner, volunteer or philanthropist, who has been a friend and supporter of the nonprofit community in Riverside County.

2010 Recipient: Todd & Christine Close, Murrieta Development Co., Inc.

Todd & Christine Close, owners of Murrieta Development Co., Inc., have "been a tremendous friend of many nonprofits in the local community." They support not only the local Boys & Girls Club but have also given substantial support to Oak Grove Center in their efforts to build four additional classrooms, an Occupational Therapy Room and therapists offices for autistic children that need additional school and therapy support. According to Oak Grove, "They did this quietly, without fanfare, not expecting public recognition. But the impact of what they did and how we are now able to treat these children is just incredible." The classrooms opened in April 2009 and the Close's continue to support local nonprofits regularly.

Christine Close accepting award and proclamation from Mayor Loveridge. Photo courtesy of Michael Ponce.

Awards Selection Process

Nominations for the 2011 NRC Nonprofit Awards Program will be requested by the NRC in June 2011.

Awards Selection Committee

The Awards Selection Committee is an all-volunteer expert group selected by the Nonprofit Resource Center (NRC). No Volunteer Center of Riverside County employees serve on the Selection Committee or in any way participate in or influence the voting; however, these organizations administer and facilitate the Awards selection process. All information submitted for consideration remains confidential to Selection Committee members and staff administering the Awards.

Awards Contact & Submission Information

If you have any questions regarding the NRC Nonprofit Awards Program or process, please contact Amelia McCormick at amccormick@vcrivco.org or (951) 686-4402 x152.

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