The Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM) has announced the winners of the 2009 Salute to Excellence awards. Nine winners and $159,000 in awards were announced on Thursday, September 17 to the 1,000 people attending this nonprofit celebration.


• The Frist Foundation Awards of Achievement recognize excellence in Middle Tennessee nonprofit organizations in three categories: Innovation in Action, Making a Difference, and Team Building.

o The winner in the Innovation in Action category is the Youth Opportunity Center. Finalists are Monroe Harding and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN.

o The winner in the Making a Difference category is Nurses for Newborns. Finalists are Health Assist Tennessee and Homework Hotline.

o The winner in the Team Building category is LP PENCIL Box. Finalists are Interfaith Dental Clinic and Our Kids, Inc.

• The Bank of America Chief Executive Officer of the Year Award, highlights the importance of executive leadership in an organization’s achievement of mission-related results. This year’s winner is Mary Bufwack or United Neighborhood Health Services. Brenda Hauk of BrightStone and Linda Leathers of The Next Door are finalists.

• The KraftCPAs Board Member of the Year Award recognizes board members who go the extra mile for their organizations. This year’s winner is Don Kendall of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. Judy Fisher of Alive Hospice and Andrea Overby of The Next Door are finalists.

• The Marvin Runyon Leadership Award is awarded to a nonprofit agency that has demonstrated sound management strategy in the heat of crisis. This year’s winner is Hope House. Finalists are the Hands on Nashville and Mercy Children’s Clinic.

• The Ford Motor Company Excellence in Communications Award is presented to the organization that exemplifies the best strategies for planning and executing a communications program designed to advance the mission of the organization. This year’s winner is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. The finalists are Nashville Ballet and NowPlayingNashville.com.

• The Baptist Healing Trust and Erie Chapman Foundation Servant’s Heart Award was created to recognize individuals who are providing care and/or assistance to the clients of a nonprofit agency and who are on the “front lines” of the service profession. This year’s winner is Emad Khalil of Siloam Family Health Center. The finalists are Bob Overton of Discovery Place and Martha Oldham of BrightStone.

• The Baptist Healing Trust Healing Charity Award is designed to recognize a nonprofit where love and compassion characterize its delivery of service. This year’s winner is Health Assist Tennessee. The finalists are Our Kids, Inc. and Renewal House.


Each year CNM hosts Salute to Excellence, the “Academy Awards” of the Middle Tennessee nonprofit community, with a dinner and awards presentation that honors area nonprofits for their commitment to management excellence. Salute to Excellence 2009 was held on Thursday, September 17, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Rhori Johnston, NewsChannel 5 anchor, was the master of ceremonies. This year marked the 17th Salute to Excellence. Click here to view videos and pictures of the event!