WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 16, 2010) — The Direct Marketing Association's Nonprofit Federation (DMANF) today announced Heifer International as the winner of its 2010 Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award.
The award will be presented Wednesday, Aug. 25, at a luncheon during DMANF's 2010 New York Nonprofit Conference taking place Aug. 24-25, at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. Presented annually, the award recognizes outstanding achievement by a nonprofit organization using direct response marketing to advance its mission.
"We sincerely congratulate Heifer International," said Chris Quinn, DMANF executive director. "Their important work transcends languages and countries, uniting everyone for one important goal."
International's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944 Heifer has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer International is currently working in more than 50 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant.
"Heifer International's storied 65-year history really impressed the Awards Committee," said Mary Bogucki, chair of DMANF's Awards Committee, and vice president of Amergent. "An organization that started with a Midwestern farmer serving as a relief worker during the Spanish Civil War has blossomed into one of the world's most respected organizations. Already recognized as an innovator delivering world-changing results, Heifer International has fundamentally redefined direct response humanitarian relief fundraising and therefore, this year, earns DMNAF's most prestigious honor."
"We are so proud and humbled to receive this amazing honor," said Steve Stirling, Heifer International executive vice president of marketing and resource development. "This recognition is a testament to the passion and the commitment that Heifer's donors have to our work, and to the continued effectiveness of direct marketing.
"For more than 65 years, we have been working hand in hand with our donors and our project partner families for a better world. This recognition affirms that change is possible, even inevitable, when people work together for a solution," continued Stirling. "We are privileged to have been named and to be in such august company."
DMANF's Awards Committee recommended Heifer International because of its efforts battling poverty and hunger through programs focusing on education and self-advancement that have had a global impact.
Their innovative and groundbreaking use of catalogs as a fundraising tool has been emulated by many other organizations. Heifer's website has been recognized internationally for both its content and breadth of information, resulting in online revenue becoming a significant portion of their overall revenue. Heifer International has also had great success in migrating offline contacts with online solutions through the use of thank you cards.
Past recipients of DMANF's Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award include: the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA); Operation Smile; Doctors without Borders; American Diabetes Association; CARE; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; and Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. For a full list of DMANF Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award winners, please click here.
About the Nonprofit Federation of the DMA
The Nonprofit Federation of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is the leading association for nonprofit organizations that use direct marketing channels such as mail, Internet, email, telephone, and social networking to gain support from individual donors. For more than 25 years, the Nonprofit Federation (and its predecessor organizations) has served as an effective advocate for nonprofits both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 states regarding postal rates and delivery service, data protection, fundraising accountability, and other legislative and regulatory issues that affect nonprofit fundraising. It also leads the way in professional education, market intelligence, and networking for its more than 400 member organizations. In 2007, Americans gave $229 billion to nonprofit organizations; the majority of those donations were the result of direct marketing. For additional information on the Nonprofit Federation, its work, and its member benefits, visit www.nonprofitfederation.org.
About Heifer International
Heifer's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the U.S., to help families and communities become more self-reliant.
For more information, visit www.heifer.org or call (800) 696-1918.
