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Presidential Awards

Rewarding Organizational Improvement and Organizational Excellence

Presidential Award

Presidential Awards are presented at two levels: the Silver level that includes a $25,000 grant and the Crystal level that includes a $10,000 grant. The deadline for both levels is July 1.

A charity is only eligible to receive the Crystal award one time, and the Silver award one time, and may not receive both awards in the same year. However, a charity that previously received the Crystal award may apply for the Silver award, provided that they meet the eligibility.

The creation of the President’s Crystal Award (formerly the President's Choice Award) in 2008 recognized the 10th anniversary of then Executive Director Betsie Trew. The creation of the President's Silver Award in 2023 commemorated Trew's 25th anniversary at the Community Foundation.

President's Silver Award: $25,000 Program Grant

Eligibility:

  • Annual audit (not just a compilation or review);
  • Board-approved Strategic Plan;
  • Board-approved Annual Operating Budget;
  • Board financial support to the charity at 100% on an annual basis;
  • Established and enforced Board term limits;
  • Defined recruitment process to secure new Board members;
  • Board-approved policy on Board member responsibilities;
  • Annual CEO (or highest-ranking employee) performance review, using established evaluation form; and
  • Annual registration in WCCF Gives.

Criteria:

  • The impact of the program to the targeted audience; and
  • The impact of the program to the general community.

President's Crystal Award: $10,000 Unrestricted Grant

Eligibility:

  • Have an operating budget of less than $250,000;
  • Have been in existence for at least three years; and
  • Provide a program in at least one of the eight funding areas supported by the Acorn Fund.

Criteria:

  • Quality of programming;
  • Community impact as gauged by the number of people served, programs offered or other measurable component; and
  • Improvement in the organization’s financial position since inception or over the last five years.

2024 Silver Honoree

PT Maward
PTM Executive Director and CEO, Scott Becker, and Board President, Edward C. Morascyzk, Esquire.

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

2024 Crystal Honoree

Photo 1
The MVAA Board of Directors and volunteers.

Mon Valley Academy for the Arts