“We congratulate all of our 55 nominees, whose campaigns represent the best efforts in online philanthropy during the past year, the judges have made very difficult decisions and have selected the finalists” said Steve Delfin, ePMT, ePhilanthropy Foundation Chairman. “We’re proud to announce that 23 finalists represent organizations from Australia, Canada, Italy, South Africa and the United States, the ‘Best of the Best.’ from this group will be announced at the International ePhilanthropy Awards Luncheon,” added Ted Hart, President and CEO of the ePhilanthropy Foundation.

The winner and honorable mentions in each of four award categories will be announced during a two-hour luncheon from 12.30-2:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at The Midtown Executive Club in New York City.  Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.acteva.com/go/awards . The 23 finalists, in alphabetical order by category, are:

Best ePhilanthropy Research Project –

CPNS Alumni Chapter, Queensland University of Technology, St. Lucia, Australia; Luth Research Inc., San Diego.

Best Online Donations/ Fundraising (Revenue Generating) Campaign -

Cancer Community Center of Maine, South Portland, Maine; GreaterGood South Africa Trust, Constantia, South Africa; India Partners, Eugene, Ore.; Jewish National Fund, New York; Mercy Corps, Portland, Ore.; St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, S.D.; The Aidmatrix Foundation Inc., Dallas; U.S. Fund for Unicef, New York, whatgoesaround.org, New York.

Best Event Registration and/or Membership Campaign –

March of Dimes, White Plains, N.Y.; National Ovarian Cancer Association, Toronto, Canada; Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, Austin, Ill.

Best Community Building/Volunteerism and/or Activism (non-revenue) Campaign –

Freecycle Network, Cincinnati OH ,IBM Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; LanceArmstrong Foundation, Austin, Texas;  March of Dimes, White Plains, N.Y.; National Education Association, Washington, D.C.; One Economy, Washington,  D.C.; Taproot Foundation, San Francisco; The Susan G. Komen Foundation Champions For Cure, Dallas; United Nations World Food Programme, Viola, Rome

Between June 20 and Aug. 1, 2005, the ePhilanthropy Foundation received 55 nominations detailing campaigns conducted by or for organizations in Europe, North America, Australia, Africa and Asia. All nominations were submitted through a special ePhilanthropy Foundation website developed by the TenneyTech Corporation.

Finalists and Winners are chosen in online judging by a panel of experts representing the nonprofit and Internet communities, including:

• Tiffany Shlain, founder of The Webby Awards
• Jeanne Dennison, VPof Human Resources and Public Affairs, The Verizon International Foundation
• Darian Heyman, executive director of the Craigslist Foundation
• Rich D'Amato, Vice President of Community Investment, America Online
• Tom Reis, Program Director of Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Kellogg Foundation
• Pat Lewis, Treasurer & Trustee, AARP Foundation

In addition to a distinctive glass sculpture designed by acclaimed artist Edward Kachurik, each award winner will receive $500 to donate to a charity of their choice.

Sponsors for the First Annual International ePhilanthropy Awards are: Artez Interactive, FundraisingInfo.com, GetActive, TenneyTech Corp. and eTapestry.
The awards ceremony on Sept. 22 is supported by IATS Ticketmaster and GrantStation.

Make your plans now to join us on September 22 in NYC to learn who the 2005 International ePhilanthropy Award winners are! Go to http://acteva.com/go/awards