Amazon offering nonprofit innovation award

Amazon.com is doing something I think is very cool--and if you're with a nonprofit doing innovative things to improve the world, I urge you to go for it!

Amazon.com is proud to announce that it is now accepting applications for the Amazon.com Nonprofit Innovation Award, which recognizes and rewards nonprofit organizations whose innovative approaches most effectively improve their communities or the world at large. If your nonprofit is powered by breakthrough ideas, we encourage you to read more about our program and how to apply for the award.

Ten organizations selected as finalists will have a unique opportunity to raise funds and awareness for their programs on Amazon.com. All 10 finalists will be profiled on their own Amazon.com pages, where customers will be invited to vote for their favorites by making monetary donations. The organization that receives the largest amount of customer contributions by the deadline will receive the award, along with a matching grant of up to $1 million from Amazon.com.

To be eligible to enter, the organization must be recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as exempt from federal income tax under IRC §501(c)(3), qualify as a charitable organization under IRC §170(b)(1)(A)(vi) and have public charity status under IRC §509. The organization also must have been in existence for a minimum of two years and may not have Amazon.com employees, officers, or directors serving as employees, officers, or directors.