(WASHINGTON, December 17, 2008) -- Independent Sector is now accepting nominations for the 2009 American Express Building Leadership Award, which recognizes an outstanding organization for its leadership in investing in the people of the nonprofit community. The extended deadline for nominations is February 20, 2009.

The American Express Building Leadership Award, formerly known as the Leadership IS Award, was established in 1999 to honor an organization whose programs and policies develop future leaders, both within the organization and among the people it serves. Criteria for the award include implementation of innovative strategies for developing leaders at all levels; promotion of an inclusive and diverse workforce; and measurement of the organization's impact on its community.

The award is sponsored by the American Express Foundation.

The recipient will be presented with the award at the 2009 Independent Sector Annual Conference in Detroit, November 4-6.

Independent Sector honored the Center for Community Change with the 2008 American Express Building Leadership Award for its achievements in strengthening, connecting and mobilizing grassroots organizations that help low-income people improve their communities and in developing the next generation of nonprofit professionals.

Anyone can nominate an organization by filling out a nomination form. For more information, email Andrea Lewis or call (202) 467-6140.

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Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 550 charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the nonprofit and philanthropic community.