The award will be evaluated by a special independent committee for the year preceding the year of submission. For example, the 2009 reporting year will be reviewed in the summer of 2010.

The following are the key criteria that must be met to receive the award:

• A properly registered corporation in the state in which it operates
• Preceding years audited financial statements
  
  • Must be submitted in a timely manner with various funding sources.
    
  • Must be in a specified format
    
• Form 990 must be submitted.
  
• Most recent annual report must be submitted containing the following:
  
  • A management discussion and anaylsis by the president and board chair. Both must sign the MD&A
    
  • Financial information that agrees with the annual audited financial statements
    
  • Programs and Services section
    
  • Locations and service areas. Demographics and other important data useful to the general public and grantor agencies.
    
  • A list of other board members, key management personnel and key professionals engaged during the year. An executive organization chart would be helpful
    
• Management demonstrates that it has addressed all external reporting request and concerns (i.e., PRISM review)