The fifth annual search is on for the NGLCC/Wells Fargo LGBT Business Owner of the Year Award. The NGLCC is seeking nominations for the award, and small business owners are encouraged to submit an application by the July 22 deadline.
"LGBT businesses are making important contributions to their communities and to our nation," said Justin Nelson, NGLCC co-founder and president. "This award allows us to recognize those contributions in a very public way and to reward outstanding business leaders for their service."
The winner of the award receives a $5,000 cash grant and will be recognized, along with two finalists, at the NGLCC National Dinner: An Evening of Courage on Nov. 6, 2009, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
To be eligible for the award, an applicant must be an active principal of the business, must have been the business owner for at least three years, and must be a national member of the NGLCC and/or a member of a local affiliate chamber or business organization.
A judging committee from NGLCC and Wells Fargo will review and evaluate applications based on applicants' responses to questions about themselves and their businesses, brief biographies and their completed application forms.
The winner will be notified by September 2009.
Distinguished previous winners include Sean and Todd Bavol-Montgomery, Integrity Staffing Solutions (2008); Noma Hanlon, Hanlon Brown Design (2007); Bob Witeck and Wes Combs, Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. (2006); and Howard Buford, Prime Access, Inc. (2005).
NGLCC and Wells Fargo are committed to supporting LGBT small businesses and kicked off their alliance in 2005 with the first annual NGLCC/Wells Fargo LGBT Small Business Award.
The application can be downloaded here. Questions about the award or the process may be directed to businessaward@nglcc.org.
