The greater Rochester area’s small nonprofit organizations have been a critical resource during the pandemic, and they are getting some recognition from Causewave Community Partners and a coalition of area organizations.
Causewave is joining forces with The Credit Union Collective – The Summit, Pittsford, and Reliant Credit Unions – Rochester Area Community Foundation, and News 8 WROC TV to award an outstanding small local nonprofit organization with the Matchstick Prize for the sixth year. As the pandemic continues to affect the community and nonprofit sector, the group announced that, in addition to choosing one overall winner, the judges will also select four finalists that will each receive customized capacity-building programming facilitated by Causewave.
“Small nonprofits are so important to so many in our community,” said Causewave President and CEO Todd Butler. “They provide critical support and filling gaps in services to underserved populations – and their work is needed even more now, in the era of COVID-19. Nonprofits, like many of us, have been hit hard financially, whether they provide direct services or not. We are proud to be able to expand the Matchstick Prize this year to support more nonprofits as they support our community.”
A panel of community judges will review the nominations of small nonprofits in the Greater Rochester area that have demonstrated meaningful impact. Five finalists will be selected, and one organization will receive a cash prize of $5,000 (funded by the three credit unions), along with a media grant valued at $20,000 courtesy of the News 8 WROC TV. Finalists will be notified in late-November and the winner will be announced in mid-December.
Causewave established this award in 2015 to recognize the impact the nonprofit sector in Greater Rochester. To qualify for the award, applicants must be a nonprofit with a yearly budget of under $1 million and demonstrate meaningful and measurable change in our community. Nominations can be made by anyone online at: causewave.org/the-matchstick-prize. This year, Causewave has streamlined the nomination process, reflecting the time demands being placed on small nonprofits. Causewave encourages nonprofits to leverage the support of key volunteers – such as board or committee members – to complete the online nomination. Particular consideration is being given to qualifying nonprofits who’ve been impacted by COVID-19 and are adapting services to constituent needs. Nominations are due by Friday, November 12 at 5 p.m.
Previous winners of the Matchstick Prize include The Coffee Connection, NAMI Rochester, R Community Bikes, C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer and Teen Empowerment.
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