The University of Kentucky Nonprofit Leadership Initiative currently is accepting nominations for two awards recognizing innovation and leadership in the nonprofit sector.  Nominations for the second annual Distinguished Nonprofit Leadership Award and the fifth annual Fifth Third Bank Innovative Nonprofit Award will be accepted until noon Aug. 17. 

"The Distinguished Nonprofit Leadership Award recognizes outstanding achievement in Kentucky nonprofit chief executives in the areas of strategic leadership, community building, ethical integrity, innovation and commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector," said Danielle Clore, UK Nonprofit Leadership Initiative director.

Nominees must have served or be a current salaried, full-time chief executive of a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Kentucky and have at least 15years of cumulative nonprofit work experience as of Aug. 17.   Clore said the award is open to leaders of any type of nonprofit organization - human service, educational, environmental, arts, faith-based, etc.  Last year's recipient was Marian Guinn, executive director of God's Pantry Food Bank of Lexington.

"The Fifth Third Bank Innovative Nonprofit Award recognizes a nonprofit organization in Kentucky implementing inventive, nontraditional, programs or methods that effectively and efficiently meet community needs," Clore said. "The organization will have demonstrated creativity and vision in finding solutions to address community issues."

 Any registered 501(c) 3 organization located and operating in Kentucky is eligible for the award.  Last year's recipient was the Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development's Common Cents Financial Initiative, a program partnering with workplaces to offer employees an affordable alternative to payday loans.  Other previous recipients include Community Housing of Winchester, Habitat for Humanity of Louisville, and the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership at the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence of Lexington. 

The awards will be presented at the Seventh Annual Kentucky Nonprofit Leadership Forum October 15 at the Lexington Convention Center.  Visit the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative's Web site at http://www.kynonprofits.org to learn more and download nomination packets for both awards.   Information is also available by calling 859-257-2542.

The Nonprofit Leadership Initiative is an outreach program of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. It serves and strengthens Kentucky's nonprofit sector through educational opportunities, consulting services, and resources for organizations and their leaders.