Mason-Wright Foundation receives Non-profit Excellence Award

Date: 7/11/2011

SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Non-profit Network (MNN) recently announced that the Mason-Wright Foundation in Springfield was named the winner of the Non-profit Excellence Award, in the Governance category.

The awards are given each year to outstanding non-profit organizations in the Common-wealth, who have been nominated by their peers, as part of MNN’s Non-profit Awareness Day, which took place this year on June 13.

The Mason-Wright Foundation, which sponsors assisted and independent living for the elderly poor, is being honored for its unique creation and use of the Board of Corporators.

This board is responsible for adhering to the mission of the more than 100-year-old foundation and does this by electing its Board of Trustees and approving changes to the by-laws.

Corporators can serve on board committees and only board committee members can join the Board of Trustees.

This new entity ensures that the Board of Trustees includes experienced and committed members.

MNN Board President David Shapiro said that Massachusetts’ vibrant and diverse non-profit sector, and the critical work it does to meet the basic needs of the community, was highlighted over and over at the event.

“It is MNN’s privilege to pay tribute to organizations like the Mason-Wright Foundation through the Excellence Awards,” he said.

“The honorees were nominated by their peers, selected through a highly competitive process, and they provide examples of the very best of a sector that touches our lives every day,” Shapiro added.

In addition to the presentation of the Excellence Awards, Non-profit Awareness Day featured many speakers who touted the work of the sector, including Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, Treasurer Steve Grossman, Senate President Therese Murray, and Paul Epstein, co-star with brother Theo Epstein of MNN’s public service announcement about the importance of non-profits.

Speakers also included State Sen. Jennifer Flanagan and State Rep. Liz Malia, who were recipients of the Legislator of the Year of Awards, and former MNN Executive Director Dave Magnan.