Nonprofit Management Awards
Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence
Presented annually by the Axelson Center, this award honors a Chicago-area nonprofit that exemplifies outstanding management and leadership practices. The winning organization receives a $10,000 cash prize and special recognition at our annual conference.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) organization
- Serve Chicago or nearby counties
- Provide direct services or member resources
- Have an executive director in place for 2+ years
- Have a strategic plan and annual independent audits
- Use metrics to track impact
Ineligible: Grantmakers, associations, hospitals, houses of worship, and K–12 schools.
Smaller nonprofits may be eligible for the Excellent Emerging Organization Award.
Awards Timeline
The next round of awards will take place in 2027.
- Applications open: Jan 11, 2027
- Deadline: Mar 12, 2027
Apply online using the Hallmarks of Nonprofit Managerial Excellence℠ as a guide.
Large nonprofit award winners
2023 – Girls on the Run – Chicago
2022 – Chinese American Service League
2020 – New Moms*
2019 – Bridge Communities*
2018 – The People’s Music School*
2016 – Christopher House*
2015 – Accion Chicago*
2014 – Chicago Community Loan Fund
2013 – Concordia Place
2012 – Center on Halsted
2011 – Children’s Home and Aid
2010 – Erie Family Health Center
2009 – Community Health
2008 – Chicago House & Social Service Agency
2007 – Metropolitan Family Services
2006 – Trinity Services, Inc.
2005 – Mercy Home for Boys and Girls
2004 – Seguin Services, Inc.
2003 – John G. Shedd Aquarium
2002 – The Greater Chicago Food Depository
Large nonprofit honorable mentions
2022 – Girls on the Run
2019 – Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center*
2018 – Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and Mikva Challenge*
2016 – Elgin Symphony Orchestra*
2015 – Teen Living Programs*
2014 – La Casa Norte
2013 – Chicago Cares, Inc.
2010 – Morton Arboretum; Christopher House
2009 – Christopher House
2008 – Writers’ Theatre
2007 – Search Development Center
2006 – Metropolitan Family Services
2005 – Palliative Care Center and Hospice of the North Shore
2004 – Chinese American Service League, Inc.; Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights
2003 – America’s Second Harvest; Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights; Seguin Services, Inc.
2002 – National Center on Poverty Law; Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier
Small nonprofit award winners
2020 – New Moms*
2019 – Bridge Communities*
2018 – The People’s Music School*
2016 – Christopher House*
2015 – Accion Chicago*
2014 – Literature for All of Us
2013 – Between Friends
2012 – Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation
2011 – Lincoln Park Community Shelter
2010 – The Bridge Youth & Family Services
2009 – Girls in the Game
2008 – Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic
2007 – The Cara Program
2006 – TimeLine Theatre
2005 – Gads Hill Center
2004 – Deborah’s Place
2003 – Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
2002 – The Night Ministry
Small nonprofit honorable mentions
2019 – Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
2018 – Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and Mikva Challenge*
2016 – Elgin Symphony Orchestra*
2015 – Teen Living Programs*
2013 – Youth Job Center
2011 – Inspiration Corporation
2010 – Chicago Children’s Choir
2009 – Family Service and Mental Health Center of Oak Park River Forest
2008 – Lincoln Park Community Shelter
2007 – Inspiration Corporation
2006 – Women Employed
2005 – Women Employed
2004 – St. Leonard’s Ministries; Young Women’s Leadership Charter School of Chicago
2003 – Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras; Chinese Mutual Aid Association
2002 – Chicago Children’s Choir; The Cradle
*From 2015 forward the large and small categories were eliminated.
Excellent Emerging Organization Award
This award honors promising young nonprofits demonstrating strong management, innovative programming, and leadership potential. While we recognize that emerging organizations may still be developing policies and procedures, a commitment to excellence and learning is key.
The winning organization receives a $5,000 cash award and a customized capacity-building package, including an in-depth assessment from the Executive Service Corps. The award is presented at the Axelson Center’s annual conference.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Serve Chicago or surrounding counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will)
- Be in existence for 10 years or less
- Have an annual budget under $1 million
- Employ 10 or fewer full-time staff
Not eligible: Grantmakers, associations, hospitals, houses of worship, and K–12 schools.
Nomination & application process
- Anyone may nominate a nonprofit; self-nominations are encouraged.
- Email axelson@northpark.edu to recommend a deserving organization.
- Finalists will be selected to present to the awards committee in person.
- The winner will be announced at the Axelson Center’s conference.
What we’re looking for
Strong applicants will show:
- Sound management practices
- Innovation in programming
- Effective leadership
- A clear, compelling organizational story
- Dedication to learning and improvement
Winners
2023 – Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD)
2022 – Love, Unity, and Values Institute
2020 – Math Circles of Chicago
2019 – Dream On Education
2018 – Lost Boyz, Inc.
2016 – Muslim Women’s Alliance
2015 – Intonation Music Workshop
2014 – Waukegan to College
2013 – Porchlight Counseling Services
2012 – EEE (Empowerment through Education and Exposure)
2011 – Urban Initiatives
2010 – Family Defense Center
Honorable mention
2022 – Healing to Action
2020 – Girl Forward
2019 – Chicago Eco House and Shift: Englewood Youth Orchestra
2018 – Honeycomb Project and The Kedzie Center
2013 – Gonzo Soccer
Confidentiality
All application materials are confidential. Only the names and websites of finalists and the winner will be shared publicly. Any use of application content for educational purposes will require prior permission.
Questions?
Email: axelson@northpark.edu
Phone: 773-244-5219