The American Express NGen Leadership Award honors one accomplished nonprofit leader age 40 or under who has already demonstrated significant impact in addressing society's critical needs.

Award Criteria
The recipient of the award:

• Demonstrates transformative impact in their field, beyond just their organization;
• Displays a proven ability to collaborate in innovative, inclusive ways;
• Shows how they identify needs, generates solutions and assesses progress toward goals;
• Models leadership presence; 
• Is currently employed by a U.S.-based nonprofit or non-governmental organization; and
• Is age 40 or under at the time of receiving the award.

To receive this award, the individual must be available to participate in the virtual Leadership Forum in May and must be present at the John W. Gardner Leadership Dinner, which will be held at Independent Sector’s 2013 conference Annual Conference in New York City, September 28 - October 1, 2013.

Award Recognition
The Award will be presented at the John W. Gardner Leadership Dinner October 1 at IS Annual Conference. This leader will also receive:

• $3,000 leadership scholarship to further develop their leadership skills and strategies;
• Featured breakout session during to NGen: Moving Nonprofit Leaders from Next to Now Pre-Conference Program, September 28, just prior to the IS Annual Conference;
• Complementary travel and registration to the NGen Pre-Conference Program and Independent Sector’s Annual Conference, September 28-October 1, 2013;
• Recognition on IS website, as well as in a press release, IS member publications, and 2013 IS Annual Conference program; and
• Round-trip airfare to and lodging for the Annual Conference.

Selection Process
An individual may be nominated, or apply themselves for the award. Nominations will be evaluated by a committee comprised of accomplished nonprofit and philanthropic leaders. From the submissions, 5 finalists will be asked to apply for the award. Finalists will then be asked to participate in a multi-stage application process which includes brief essays, participation in virtual Leadership Forum with the NGen community to discuss issues pressing to young leaders and the nonprofit community as a whole and a brief in person interview conducted via phone. At the completion of this application process, the selection committee will announce one recipient of the award in late May.