Friends Recognized for Managerial Excellence

Friends of the Chicago River was named a 2022 finalist for the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence, presented by the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at North Park University. The purpose of this award program is to recognize and celebrate Chicago-area nonprofit organizations that exemplify extraordinary managerial excellence. Finalists exemplify qualities including a clear, compelling and well-communicated mission and vision; a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; a coherent organizational strategy that aligns programs and services to mission and goals; strong and effective leadership by staff and board; solid financial management; a strong sense of integrity; and a shared sense of purpose and values.

Staff representatives from Friends and the other finalists were recognized during a luncheon October 13 at the Axelson Center’s annual conference. With a theme of “Leadership Transformation,” Friends and other conference attendees enjoyed inspirational speeches and breakout sessions exploring the connections between self-knowledge, healthy teams, and organizational excellence.

In addition to thanking the Axelson Center for this recognition, Friends congratulates this year’s winner, the Chinese American Service League, as well as the other finalists and the honorable mention, Girls on the Run.