The American Express Building Leadership Award was established in 1999 to recognize outstanding organizations for their leadership in investing in the people of the charitable community, through an emphasis on the development of internal staff, board, and volunteer leadership. More About the Award Award Criteria Recipients of the Award Attend the John W. Gardner Leadership Dinner, which will celebrate 2009 American Express Building Leadership Award recipient Community Voices Heard.  Submit a tribute to CVH for the dinner program book. The American Express Foundation is the generous sponsor of the American Express Building Leadership Award. Community Voices Heard to Receive 2009 American Express Building Leadership Award CVH members demonstrate in Columbus Circle, NYC on the day the federal Census Bureau released its latest poverty statistics to call attention to the city’s 1.6 million people living in poverty. Independent Sector will honor Community Voices Heard with the 2009 American Express Building Leadership Award for empowering low-income people in New York City and State to advocate for public policy changes that improve their lives. The award will be presented at this year's IS Annual Conference in Detroit, November 4-6. CVH is a membership-led organization that engages low-income people, particularly women of color, in direct action campaigns to improve workforce and welfare systems, save and expand affordable housing, allow greater access to education and training opportunities, and ensure that low-income residents help shape the future of their communities. It trains members to be leaders both within the organization and at other grassroots nonprofits, and harnesses their expertise and experience to inform, challenge, and change public policy. CVH combines education, grassroots organizing, leadership development, and civic engagement to build the advocacy power of its membership and advance causes that its members believe are critical to improving their communities. Learn more about Community Voices Heard.