State Nonprofit Awards Presented at 12th Annual Nonprofit Conference
May 7, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – May 7, 2009 – The South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO) held its 12th Annual Conference last week in Spartanburg, SC, with over 400 people in attendance, where it presented a number of awards to nonprofits and individuals who have distinguished themselves.
The 2009 Erin Hardwick Excellence in Nonprofit Management was presented to Metanoia of North Charleston and Brookgreen Gardens of Georgetown. The 2009 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership was presented to Jennie Williamson, Executive Director of Pee Dee Land Trust in Darlington
One recipient of the 2009 Erin Hardwick Excellence in Nonprofit Management was Metanoia. “It is a terrific honor to be the recipient of this year’s Erin Hardwick Award,” said Rev. Bill Stanfield, Director. “SCANPO does so much across our state to ensure organizational excellence in the non-profit sector. They have been tremendously helpful to us in our efforts to build a culture of excellence here at Metanoia and we are grateful to be recognized by this state association which has such great standing across South Carolina.”
Metanoia is a movement of people rooted in faith. They invest in neighborhood assets to build leaders, establish quality housing and generate economic development. They are pushing forward into new relationships with God and one another to create strong communities.
The second recipient of the 2009 Erin Hardwick Excellence in Nonprofit Management was Brookgreen Gardens which has served the Georgetown County area since 1931. “We are honored to be selected by SCANPO to receive this prestigious state wide award for excellence and for the recognition that it gives Brookgreen as an outstanding institution,” said Robert Jewell, President and CEO. “Brookgreen Gardens is a fabulous organization with wonderful staff and volunteers who understand our mission and how to successfully carry it out.”
Brookgreen Gardens was founded by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington as a non-profit 501(c) (3) garden museum, to preserve the native flora and fauna and display objects of art within that natural setting. Today, Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark with the most significant collection of figurative sculpture in an outdoor setting by American artists in the world and has the only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on the coast of the Carolinas.
The Erin Hardwick Award, given each year at the SCANPO Annual Nonprofit Conference, was created to encourage and recognize outstanding achievements in exemplary management practices of nonprofit organizations which can result in more effective program delivery.
Jennie Williamson, winner of the Leadership Award, received $500 from the Francis Marion University Nonprofit Leadership Institute as a sponsor of the award. “I am so honored to have been chosen for the nonprofit leadership award – it’s always a team effort when any one or any organization succeeds, and I have a great team of staff, board, volunteers, and contributors.” said Jennie Williamson. “Receiving a check with the award was icing on the cake; my staff and I shared part of it and gave the rest to the Land Trust.” Jennie was honored due to her leadership skills and commitment to Pee Dee Land Trust, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that protects natural, agricultural and historical resources in the Pee Dee Region through voluntary land conservation agreements and education. It was created in 1999 and staffed in 2005 when Williamson was hired as executive director. The organization has protected more than 10,000 acres and grown membership from 40 people to nearly 600 in the past 3 ½ years. They remain leanly staffed at one full time and two part time employees and many volunteers.
To learn more about these annual awards, please visit www.scanpo.org.
The South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO)
The South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO) is the only statewide organization that brings together charitable nonprofits to strengthen the effectiveness of the state’s nonprofit community. SCANPO’s mission is to serve, support, and strengthen nonprofit organizations for a better South Carolina. For information on SCANPO or these awards for excellence, please call 803-929-0399 or visit www.scanpo.org.
