The Kentucky Nonprofit Network, an outreach program of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, is accepting nominations for their annual innovation and leadership awards. Among the annual honors is a new award recognizing outstanding board leadership.

Sponsored by PNC Bank and Mountjoy Chilton Medley, the Outstanding Board Leadership Award honors the work of a board leader who thinks strategically, works cooperatively with other board members and the executive director to further the mission of the organization and is actively committed to best practices and succession planning.

Other awards include the Innovative Nonprofit Award, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Dean Dorton Allen Ford, and the Distinguished Nonprofit Leadership Award, sponsored by Energy Insurance Agency and Travelers Insurance.

The Innovative Nonprofit Award recognizes a nonprofit organization in Kentucky that implements innovative, nontraditional programs or methods to effectively and efficiently meet community needs.

Last year’s recipient was Heartland CARES of Paducah.

The Distinguished Nonprofit Leadership Award recognizes outstanding leadership among Kentucky nonprofit chief executives. The award recognizes achievement in the areas of strategic leadership, community building, ethical integrity, innovation and commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector.

Last year’s recipient was Jan Isenhour, retired executive director of the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington.

“KNN’s annual awards provide nonprofits with an opportunity to recognize their innovative programming and most effective board leaders, as well as providing peers, staff and board members with an opportunity to recognize outstanding nonprofit executives,” said Danielle Clore, executive director. “KNN is proud to be able to call attention to these outstanding leaders and innovative organizations to help further recognition of their important contributions to our communities.”

The deadline to submit nominations is Aug. 17. The awards will be presented at the 10th Anniversary Kentucky Nonprofit Leadership Forum Awards Luncheon on Oct. 25.For application forms and nomination requirements, go to http://kynonprofitforum.wordpress.com/annual-awards-nominations/.

The Kentucky Nonprofit Network serves as a resource for nonprofit boards and staff, an information center on effective nonprofit organizational practices and an advocate for the nonprofit sector as a whole. For more information about the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, visit http://www.kynonprofits.org.