Nominations are now being sought in a worldwide call for entries for The First Annual International ePhilanthropy Awards, the ePhilanthropy Foundation announced today.

Starting today and running through August 1 2005, web sites can get into the running by being nominated for The International ePhilanthropy Awards and the accompanying industry recognition and increased awareness of their best practices. All nominations are to be made online at http://ephilanthropy.org/Awards.

The awards are presented by the ePhilanthropy Foundation, the global leader in providing training to charities for the ethical and efficient use of the Internet for philanthropic purposes through education and advocacy. The awards are presented with support from FundraisingInfo.com, eTapestry, GetActive Software, Artez Interactive and TenneyTech.

Nominees will be announced following August 1, 2005 and the winners will be unveiled on September 22, 2005 at a ceremony in New York City. Tickets will go on sale for the awards luncheon on July 12 for advance notice of ticket information (seating will be limited) please email us at tickets@ephilanthropy.org.

Reflecting the web's democratic spirit, the Foundation is seeking web sites of all shapes and sizes representing charities/NGOs around the world. Self-nominations are encouraged.

Nominations Sought In Four (4) Divisions

Sites can be nominated in four (4) divisions, including: Best Online Donations/ Fundraising (revenue generating) Campaign, Best Event Registration and/or Membership Campaign, Best Community Building/ Volunteerism and/or Activism (non-revenue) Campaign and Best ePhilanthropy Research Project. Sites are judged on the basis of content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, interactivity, the nominees use of the Internet to build relationships, community and outreach, innovative techniques, fundraising effectiveness, attention to privacy and security issues and overall experience.

How to Nominate

Nominations must be submitted online via the ePhilanthropy Foundation awards website. Please see specific step-by-step instructions to submit each award application. Nominations are accepted in as many categories as you wish.  Self nominations are encouraged.

Be a part of ePhilanthropy history by nominating the “best of the best”, for complete details and online nomination form go to http://ephilanthropy.org/Awards today!

The final deadline for all entries is August 1, 2005, so don’t delay.

The Award

Acclaimed artist Edward Kachurik has designed a beautiful glass sculpture that represents the high ideals of the International ePhilanthropy Awards (details and a picture of the sculpture are available on the nomination website). The winning entry in each category will receive an engraved Kachurick glass sculpture along with a $500 gift to their favorite charity.

Selection Process

A panel of high profile philanthropy leaders serving as judges will make the final selection for each award. Judges include representatives from the nonprofit and for-profit sector. 

The 2005 International ePhilanthropy Award panel of judges:

·        Tiffany Shlain, Founder & Chairperson, The Webby Awards

·        Jeanne Dennison - VP-International Human Resources and Public Affairs, Verizon International Foundation

·        Darian Heyman - Executive Director of the Craigslist Foundation

·        Rich D'Amato, Vice President, Community Investment, America Online, Inc.

·        Tom Reis, Director, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Kellogg Foundation

·        Pat Lewis, Treasure & Trustee, AARP Foundation

·        Sarah Tenney, Founder & CEO, TenneyTech

About the ePhilanthropy Foundation
The ePhilanthropy Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization devoted to fostering the secure, private, and ethical use of the Internet for philanthropic purposes, through education and advocacy.. The major focus of the ePhilanthropy Foundation is nonprofit organizations and the publics they serve, to help foster an online environment in which donors can feel secure about their online transactions with non-profit organizations. The ePhilanthropy Foundation can be found online at http://ephilanthropy.org