Noland Receives First Nonprofit Leadership Award

Annual Recognition for 25-Year Commitment to Philanthropy

DETROIT—The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Board of Trustees announced today the establishment of the “Mariam C. Noland Award for Nonprofit Leadership,” which was created recognize and celebrate president Mariam Noland’s 25th year of service to the foundation and to the region.

“We believe it is important that the community recognize Mariam Noland’s outstanding contributions,” said Joe Hudson, founding chair of the Community Foundation. “She is the reason that so many continue to entrust the Community Foundation to help them create an enduring philanthropic legacy.”

During her tenure, Noland has supported several consistent themes including:

• the importance of civic leadership
• the value of education
• the necessity for integrity and financial stewardship by all nonprofits.

Noland has been instrumental in bringing together community and civic leaders with nonprofit organizations to help create important initiatives in the community, including the development of Detroit’s RiverWalk and the establishment of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

Under Noland’s leadership, the Community Foundation has granted more than $444 million through more than 37,000 grants. Assets have grown to more than $587 million and the Foundation now holds endowments for more than 160 organizations and more than 900 funds from individuals and businesses throughout the country. The organization is now one of the 20 largest community foundations in the country.

“Mariam’s entire career has been about doing good for others, be it improving the lives of people in southeast Michigan, or helping nonprofit organizations understand the importance of building endowment or by helping to teach and mentor the new CEOs of community foundations, as she does each year,” said Allan D. Gilmour, interim president of Wayne State University and chair of the Community Foundation. “The Community Foundation continues to thrive under her leadership and will continue to do so for years to come.”

Beginning in 2011, each year, the Mariam C. Noland Award for Nonprofit Leadership will be awarded in recognition of a nonprofit executive who has provided leadership, not only to their own organization, but to the wider nonprofit community.

The Community Foundation will make a grant of $10,000 to the award winner’s nonprofit organization, with the preference that the organization uses the funds to allow the recipient attend professional continuing education, take a personal sabbatical for career rejuvenation, or to engage in philanthropic leadership activities.

“The winners of this award will be individuals who exemplify the importance of personal commitment to philanthropy and what life-long service to others means to the quality of life in the region,” said Gilmour.

Applications will be available each spring and nonprofit organization presidents and executive officers may be nominated. The Award will be announced at the annual June meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation.

Noland is a member of the board of trustees of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Independent Sector, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan and is a vice chair of the board of the Henry Ford Health System.

Noland has served as chair, board of trustees of the Council of Michigan Foundations and a vice chair, board of trustees of the national Council on Foundations. She is also the recipient of the Detroit Free Press 2009 Eleanor Josaitis Unsung Hero Award, the 2010 Women and Leadership in the Workplace award and the 2010 Salvation Army “Others” award.

Noland, who has had more than 30 years experience administering community foundations, obtained her Ed.M. from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Case Western Reserve University. She is a resident of Grosse Pointe Farms.