Contact IS Media Relations Matthew Briggs Associate Media and Communications office: 202-467-6134 cell: 202-641-1202 (after hours) matthewb@independentsector.org Brenda C. Siler Vice President Communications and Marketing office: 202-467-6132 cell: 202-257-7242 (after hours) brendas@independentsector.org

(Washington, D.C. - September 15, 2005) – Independent Sector will honor the National Hispana Leadership Institute with the 2005 Leadership IS Award recognizing NHLI’s work in developing leadership by Hispanic women. Independent Sector will award New Jersey SEEDS with this year’s Honorable Mention.

Both organizations will be honored at the Independent Sector 25th Anniversary Conference in Washington, D.C., which will be held from October 23 to 25, 2005. NHLI will be presented with a statuette and a gift of $10,000. New Jersey SEEDS will receive a $1,000 gift as runner up.

The Leadership IS Award was established in 1999 to honor outstanding organizations for their leadership in investing in the people of the independent sector as they work to build community. The award supports this important principle by acknowledging an organization that incorporates the development of future leaders in its policies and daily operations. The 2005 Leadership IS Award is funded by Chevron Corporation.

NHLI is the only national leadership program in the country that focuses on the building of leadership skills of Hispanic women. Formed in 1987 and based in Arlington, Va., NHLI was founded in response to the findings of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Glass Ceiling Initiative that minorities and women had made significant gains entering the workforce, but were underrepresented in mid- to senior-level management positions in the business and government sectors, on corporate boards, and in politics.

Through its leadership courses, breakfasts and conferences, and mentoring programs, NHLI works to train, motivate, and build a network to influence decision making and inspire Latinas to reach more influential positions in society. NHLI runs two leadership programs; one for professional women and one for college students. The National Executive Leadership program is a four-week intensive program that spans nine months. Four sessions are held in different regions of the country and focus on the development of support networks, coalition and community building, diversity, and cross-cultural communication. The program also requires that participants mentor two Latinas for at least two years and develop a leadership project that will train at least 25 young Hispanic women. Alumnae include author Esmeralda Santiago and Audrey Alvarado, executive director of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations.

The second program, Latinas Learning to Lead Youth institute is a one-week program for college students held in Washington, D.C. The program incorporates some sessions from the executive program with additional sessions on empowerment, public speaking, career planning, and website development. Alumnae are matched with professional Latinas as mentors through NHLI’s e-mail mentoring program.

“National Hispana Leadership Institute has brought the voice of Latinas to business, politics, and civic life in America,” said Diana Aviv, president and CEO of Independent Sector. “NHLI’s proven track record with alumnae, outreach programs, and mentoring programs make it well deserving of this year’s Leadership IS Award.”

“We are deeply honored and excited about receiving the Leadership IS Award. NHLI is proud to be preparing the next CEOs, congresswomen, and leaders of America, today,” said Marisa Rivera-Albert, president of NHLI. “NHLI has trained many Latinas to run for office, launch new businesses, maneuver up the corporate ladder, and run successful nonprofit organizations among many other successful career paths.”

Honorable Mention New Jersey SEEDS is an academic enrichment and leadership development program based in Newark, N.J., aimed at eliminating economic and social barriers for low-income, high-achieving youth living in urban areas. SEEDS prepares qualified students for placement at competitive schools and empowers students to be leaders who serve the community and achieve professional success. SEEDS offers two programs: a 14-month program for fifth and sixth grade students and a 24-month program for eighth grade students, both consisting of Saturday classes, summer classes, and overnight retreats.

“SEEDS’ innovative programs are helping young students in New Jersey build leadership skills and achieve academic success,” said Ms. Aviv. “With the help of SEEDS these students have the opportunity to reach their full academic potential.”

To learn more about the award and past winners, visit www.independentsector.org.

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Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 600 charities, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the nonprofit community.