If you are a reader of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, in recent issues you've seen the announcement of the 2009 recipients of Mutual of America's Community Partnership Award.  This award recognizes the important contributions that nonprofit organizations, in partnership with public, private, and other social sector organizations, make to society.  Mutual of America is a respected life insurance company which in fact was founded 60 years ago as a services provider for employees of non-profits.  So it seems supremely on point that it focuses its attention each year on organizations whose collaborative and impactful work serves as a model for others--and toward the greater good.

The Comunity Partnership Award has recognized 140 partnerships in cities and towns across America, expanding public awareness of their work and helping them attract additional partners and new sponsors.  A number of grants is presented, and $25,000 is awarded to the winning organization each year.  The 2009 National Award Winner is the Barbara McInnis House:  Medical Respite Care Program of Boston, MA.  Other honorees and finalists range from a program in Texas focused on the needs of homeless children and their families, to a mentoring project in Hawaii helping seniors help other at-risk seniors improve coordination and cognitive functioning, to an Indiana treatment and diversion program for mentally ill offenders as an alternative to incarceration.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 awards, the 15th year of the competition.  The deadline for receipt of completed applications is April 1, 2010.  For more information about the award program and eligibility criteria, see mutualofamerica/cpa.