Award winner will receive:

• Award at the Nonprofit Leadership Forum (includes free Forum registration for the recipient)
• Recognition in the NLI’s Nonprofit News, e-Notes e-newsletter and on the Initiative’s website
• One-year membership for the winner’s current (or other designated) organization in the Initiative’s Nonprofit Network
• $500 scholarship for Nonprofit Leadership Initiative workshops, seminars, publications, etc. for the winner’s current (or other designated) organization – scholarship good for two years from award receipt

Past Distinguished Nonprofit Award Recipients

2009 C. Dennis Riggs President Emeritus  Community Foundation of Louisville

C. Dennis Riggs has served in leadership and nonprofit capacities for over forty-four years. He is the President Emeritus of The Community Foundation of Louisville, serving as President and CEO from 1991 to 2008.  Under his leadership, the Foundation’s asset base increased from $43 million to over $300 million. The Foundation granted over $27 million in fiscal year 2008.  He currently serves on the boards of the Merton Institute for Contemplative Living and the National Foundation to Support Cell Transplant Research, the organization nominating him for the Distinguished Nonprofit Leadership Award. Riggs other professional positions have included vice president of Bellarmine University, vice president of the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and member of the officiating staff of the National Football League. His outstanding volunteer leadership includes service as the immediate past chair of the Greater Louisville Project, a coalition of private funders who developed and execute Louisville’s plan for community excellence beyond merger. Prior to his retirement, Riggs served on the board of the National Council on Foundations, the Kentucky Nonprofit Leadership Initiative Advisory Council, CARITAS Health Services, the Rotary Club of Louisville, the Greater Louisville Sports Commission and the Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy.   Riggs’s accomplishments have been recognized through numerous awards, including the 2007 Women 4 Women Heart of the Community Award, the 2006 St. Francis Xavier Award from St. Xavier High School, the 1996 Louisville Community All-American Award and a Distinguished Alumni Award from Bellarmine University in 1994. He was chosen for the 2009 Distinguished Nonprofit Leadership Award for his demonstrated ability to rally people, organizations and resources around a common cause for the betterment of the community.  Dr. Paula Grisanti, Chair of the National Foundation to Support Cell Transplant Research, who nominated Riggs for the award notes, “Dennis has been a driving force behind improving the professionalism and effectiveness of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations . . . He has long been recognized by his peers for his capacity to make mission and value consistent decisions and his central impetus is respect for donors.  He regards fundraising as an invitation to serve.”

2008 Marian F. Guinn, CFRE Chief Executive Officer God’s Pantry Food Bank, Lexington

Marian Guinn began her nonprofit career in 1988 as a development professional with the University of Kentucky Hospital.  Through her leadership and community building efforts, funds were raised to support a dedicated hospital for children at the University - now Kentucky Children's Hospital. In 1997, Marian became CEO of God's Pantry Food Bank.  At that time, the organization had ten staff members and distributed approximately 4 million pounds of food annually.  The organization was also in the middle of a $1.2 million capital campaign - a challenge she faced with excitement and vigor.   Today, God's Pantry distributes over 15 million pounds of food annually and their staff has grown to twenty-eight.  Marian's leadership and team building approach is responsible for this phenomenal growth.    This past spring, Marian was recognized as executive director of the year by America's Second Harvest.  In 1997, she was inducted into the University of Kentucky Carol Martin Gatton School of Business Hall of Fame - the first nonprofit executive to receive this honor.  Mentoring colleagues is another strength of Marian's, as she recognizes the importance of being a soundingboard for peers and cultivating future nonprofit leaders.  In nominating Marian, her colleague Carrie Boling, Associate Vice President, United Way of the Bluegrass commented, "Marian always keeps God's Pantry's mission in mind when making decisions and reminds and challenges you to do the same."