News Release: Nominations open for 2013 Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service
February 13, 2013 — The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for the 2013 Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service.
McKnight will recognize up to six Minnesotans who have demonstrated an exceptional personal commitment to helping others in their communities but who have received little or no public recognition. Echoing McKnight’s mission statement, the Foundation seeks individuals who “attend, unite, and empower” others in communities throughout Minnesota. Each awardee will receive $10,000 and will be honored at a ceremony in late summer.
The awards, which were first presented in 1985, are named for Virginia McKnight Binger, the Foundation’s first board chair and the daughter of the founders. Although she passed away in 2002, these awards help us remember Virginia’s enduring spirit of compassion, humility, and generosity. Last year’s recipients include community activists, youth mentors, healers, and advocates for the immigrant population.
ELIGIBILITY
The Foundation invites nominations recognizing anyone directly involved in providing human services, and those working to make their communities more responsive to the needs of poor or disadvantaged people in Minnesota.
A committee, composed of human service professionals and volunteers from throughout Minnesota, reviews nominations, checks references, and recommends candidates to the Foundation’s board of directors. Award recipients are notified in June and honored in August.
Nominations for this year are due by April 7, 2013.
Please visit mcknight.org/awards to read more about the Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service and to submit your nomination online.
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. Through grantmaking, collaboration, and encouragement of strategic policy reform, we use our resources to attend, unite, and empower those we serve. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Foundation had assets of approximately $1.9 billion and granted about $91 million in 2012.
McKnight will recognize up to six Minnesotans who have demonstrated an exceptional personal commitment to helping others in their communities but who have received little or no public recognition. Echoing McKnight’s mission statement, the Foundation seeks individuals who “attend, unite, and empower” others in communities throughout Minnesota. Each awardee will receive $10,000 and will be honored at a ceremony in late summer.
The awards, which were first presented in 1985, are named for Virginia McKnight Binger, the Foundation’s first board chair and the daughter of the founders. Although she passed away in 2002, these awards help us remember Virginia’s enduring spirit of compassion, humility, and generosity. Last year’s recipients include community activists, youth mentors, healers, and advocates for the immigrant population.
ELIGIBILITY
The Foundation invites nominations recognizing anyone directly involved in providing human services, and those working to make their communities more responsive to the needs of poor or disadvantaged people in Minnesota.
- Nominees may be volunteers or service staff working directly with people in Minnesota.
- Nominees (and the work for which they are being nominated) do not have to be associated with any organization to be eligible.
- The process is confidential; individuals are not to be notified that they have been nominated.
- Individuals may not nominate themselves.
- Nominees may not be past recipients of Human Service Awards.
- Nominees must be current residents of Minnesota.
- Nominees may be any age.
- Tenure of service will be taken into consideration.
A committee, composed of human service professionals and volunteers from throughout Minnesota, reviews nominations, checks references, and recommends candidates to the Foundation’s board of directors. Award recipients are notified in June and honored in August.
Nominations for this year are due by April 7, 2013.
Please visit mcknight.org/awards to read more about the Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service and to submit your nomination online.
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. Through grantmaking, collaboration, and encouragement of strategic policy reform, we use our resources to attend, unite, and empower those we serve. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Foundation had assets of approximately $1.9 billion and granted about $91 million in 2012.