Council on Foundations Announces Recipients of Wilmer Shields Rich Awards for Excellence in Communications

The Council on Foundations today announced the 2012 recipients of the Wilmer Shields Rich Awards during its Annual Conference in Los Angeles. The awards recognize and encourage excellence in communications by foundations and corporate giving programs and showcase the way they use communications strategies and techniques to advance their grantmaking goals.

The award is named after the woman who served as executive director of the National Council on Community Foundations (now the Council on Foundations) from 1957 to 1968. During her tenure, Rich championed public accountability by charitable foundations, urging them to effectively communicate their stewardship via publications and other forums. This year's award categories are Annual and Biennial Reports, Electronic Publications, Special Reports, and Websites. A total of 140 entries were submitted for consideration and 12 winners were selected.

“The Wilmer Shields Rich Award program recognizes those who have excelled in the field of philanthropy, as well as continually defining new, innovative ways for grantmakers to communicate with the public and express creativity,” said Jeff Clarke, the Council's interim president and CEO. “These foundations continue to be leaders and their ambitious work is consistently driving the philanthropic sector forward.”

Annual or Biennial Reports
Gold Award: Public Welfare Foundation
Silver Award: Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Bronze Award: Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Electronic Publications 
Gold Award: The Cleveland Foundation 
Silver Award: The Pittsburgh Foundation 
Bronze Award: Blue Shield of California Foundation

Special Reports 
Gold Award: Open Society Foundations 
Silver Award: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation 
Bronze Award: The Heinz Endowments

Websites
Gold Award: Global Fund for Women 
Silver Award: The Kresge Foundation 
Bronze Award: Greater New Orleans Foundation