United Way of San Luis Obispo County’s Innovation Award recognizes a local not-for profit organization for creative approaches and programs that provide value to the SLO County community in the areas of education, income and health. The award recipient exhibits three inventive characteristics through its program offering and service delivery – lasting change, practical collaboration and internal transformation. One cash award in the amount of $7,500 will be given. The award is sponsored this year by Don Maruska & Company, Inc., IQMS, MindBody, and RRM Design Group.
This is the thirteenth year that United Way of San Luis Obispo County will single out a particular program for additional funding. The Innovation Award is separate from United Way’s annual Community Impact Fund Grant program. The Innovation Award’s emphasis is on creative and effective approaches that achieve measurable results and utilize a variety of resources and partnerships within and outside of the nonprofit community. Nominees demonstrate an organizational ability to adapt to the changing conditions in our communities in order to meet critical social needs.
“We want to encourage innovation by organizations serving critical needs in our community,” said Don Maruska, founder and continued co-sponsor of the Innovation Award. “It’s exciting each year to see the outstanding results that winners achieve”.
A description of the award criteria and a nomination form are now available online at http://www.unitedwayslo.org/apply-funding. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 7 at 4:00 p.m. The recipient will be presented with the award at the United Way Annual Recognition Event on September 30. For more information, contact Rachel Cementina at (805) 541-1234 ext. 14 or rcementina@unitedwayslo.org. For more information about United Way of SLO County, visit www.unitedwayslo.org or call (805) 541-1234.