Foundation Ranked in The NonProfit Times’ “50 Best Nonprofits to Work For”

VENICE, FL (April 16, 2010) – Mimi Evans, the longest-serving employee of Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, says she couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.  “Every day, I come in to work knowing that we are helping donors and nonprofits make a real difference in people’s lives,” said the 10-year veteran of the nearly 15-year-old Foundation.   “We work hard here, but that is rewarded whenever we see something good happen in this community.”  Sentiment like that helped Gulf Coast Community Foundation attain an unprecedented honor this month, when a national magazine named the Foundation the third-best nonprofit employer in the country.

 Gulf Coast Community Foundation was ranked number three in The NonProfit Times’ list of “50 Best Nonprofits to Work For in 2010.”  The annual survey and award program is designed to identify and recognize the best places of employment in the nonprofit sector.   Gulf Coast Community Foundation was one of two community foundations in the country to make the list.

“This honor is a testament to the dedication of Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s staff and to the trust that the Board places in us to do our jobs,” said Teri A Hansen, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.  “We were excited to learn that we made the list, but when we heard we were number three—wow!” 

Organizations from across the country entered a two-part survey process to determine the best nonprofits to work for.  The survey included an evaluation of each nominated organization’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, and systems.  An employee survey then measured the employee experience at each nonprofit.

In the story that accompanied the list in The NonProfit Times’ April 2010 issue, Hansen credits employee satisfaction at Gulf Coast Community Foundation to a daily work environment that is “positive, happy, and helpful.”  She is quoted as saying, “You can just feel the energy here when you walk in, and that comes from our staff.”

Hansen added that “empowerment and training” make the Foundation a desirable and interesting workplace.  “I am constantly making sure people are challenged and growing in their positions,” she said.

To view the full story, go to nptimes.com and click on the April 1, 2010 edition.  For more information on the “Best Nonprofits to Work For” program, go to BestNonProfitstoWorkfor.com.