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January 02, 2012

Chicago Better Government Association Honors University SBNM Faculty Member

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Chicago Better Government Association Honors University SBNM Faculty Member

Jimmie Alford presented BGA Lifetime Achievement Award

The Chicago BGA honored Jimmie Alford October 2 at its annual luncheon. (photo by Wesley Lindahl)

Jimmie Alford presented Lifetime Achievement Award

CHICAGO (October 2, 2012) — The Better Government Association (BGA) of Chicago presented its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award to Jimmie Alford, executive-in-residence, North Park University School of Business and Nonprofit Management (SBNM). Alford is founder and chair of The Alford Group, a consulting firm that works exclusively with nonprofit organizations.

 

This year marks Alford's fiftieth year of working with nonprofits. The award was presented October 2 at the BGA annual luncheon in Chicago.

"This award is most thrilling because of the broad impact that the Better Government Association has in our community," he said. "Their recognition of my career which embodies North Park University’s mission of education for a life of significance and service is a wonderful tribute." Alford said he is pleased that two outstanding civic leaders, Renee Crown and Ron Gidwitz, will present the award to him.

"The faculty and staff of the School of Business and Nonprofit Management are very proud of Jimmie Alford and his accomplishments at the Chicago Better Government Association. The story of their growth over the past few years is amazing, and Jimmie played a big role in making this happen. Congratulations to Jimmie on the Lifetime Achievement Award," said Dr. Wesley E. Lindahl, SBNM dean.

Alford will be the keynote speaker at the University Breakfast Series event October 30 at the University Club of Chicago, Lindahl added. The topic, "Trends and Headwinds: Implications for the Nonprofit Sector" will focus on the business environment for nonprofit organizations, along with trends, constraints, opportunities, and the possible impact of the upcoming elections. The session will also include forecasts about the next three to five years for nonprofits.

Alford founded his own consulting firm to serve the nonprofit sector in 1979 after serving 16 years with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. The firm, now known as The Alford Group, quickly grew into one of the premier consulting firms in the United States and has served more than 3,000 nonprofit clients since its creation. In 2007, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University, as well as an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Aurora University, Aurora, Ill.

Alford has been recognized twice by The Nonprofit Times as "one of the 50 most influential people in the nonprofit sector." The Association of Fund Raising Professionals (AFP) in 2009 named Alford the recipient of the prestigious Chair’s Award for Outstanding Service, given to individuals for exceptional service to AFP, the fundraising profession, and the philanthropic community. Alford is active as a volunteer, as chair, CeaseFire Chicago (now Cure Violence), and as senior advisor to the BGA.


Use @npunews to follow North Park University News on Twitter. For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, via email or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more about North Park University.

Next Steps

Learn about SBNM undergraduate and graduate programs and the University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management.

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