IS Announces Call for Nominations for the
2008 John W. Gardner Leadership Award

(Washington, D.C., December 10, 2007) -- Independent Sector is now accepting nominations for the 2008 John W. Gardner Leadership Award, which recognizes an individual whose leadership in or with the nonprofit community has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes that improve lives. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2008.

The John W. Gardner Leadership Award was established in 1985 to honor outstanding Americans who exemplify the leadership and the ideals of John W. Gardner (1912-2002), American statesman and founding chair of Independent Sector. Independent Sector works with people across America’s nonprofit sector to identify a recipient who is a beacon of achievement. Winners of the Gardner Award are models for both current and future members of our sector. Recognizing them strengthens and uplifts our entire community.

The recipient will be presented with a prize of $10,000 and a replica of an original relief bust of John Gardner by the late sculptor Frederick Hart. The award will be presented at the 2008 Independent Sector Annual Conference in Philadelphia from November 9-11.

Anyone may nominate an individual for the Gardner Award by filling out a nomination form and submitting a nomination letter.

An advisor to six presidents and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, Mr. Gardner was a distinguished participant in America’s educational, philanthropic, and political life, and his many achievements stand as a tribute to the principles this award celebrates.

Independent Sector honored Susan Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation, with the 2007 John W. Gardner leadership Award, in recognition of her work worldwide to build leadership in marginalized communities and to strengthen institutions that advance civil society.

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Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 600 charities, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the nonprofit community.