Girls Inc. wins nonprofit of the year

WEDU presented Girls Inc. of Sarasota County with the award for Nonprofit Organization of the Year for 2009 at the fifth annual “Be More Awards,” held Jan. 14, in Tampa. The organization also won the Be More Brilliant award for outstanding achievement in innovation.

Applications from more than 100 non-profit organizations were received by WEDU, west central Florida’s primary PBS station that serves 16 counties.

The award is selected by a panel of judges from all submitted applications and consists of overall excellence demonstrated in the selected category and the fulfillment of the four commitments to the community: service to the organization’s constituency; level of community impact; financial viability; and embodiment of overall community goodwill.

“The award represents validation for the hard work we have done, the quality of programming, excellent staff and committed board members,” said Stephania Feltz, executive director of Girls Inc.

The award came with a $1,000 check, which Feltz said is enough money to put one girl through the Girls Inc. summer program.

This is the third time the organization has won the Be More Brilliant award, which is given to the organization that displays the most imaginative, creative and innovative use of original ideas to achieve organizational goals.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].