For Immediate Release

Contact: Nancy Doane, Executive Director, 540-882-3018 ext. 118 

Waterford Foundation wins  

"Nonprofit of the Year" Award

From Loudoun Chamber of Commerce

LANSDOWNE, VIRGINIA, November 3, 2011--The Waterford Foundation received the prestigious Nonprofit of the Year Award last night by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. This award was added to the Chamber's Small Business Award Program three years ago in recognition not only of the vital role that Loudoun's nonprofits play in the economy of our community, but to honor the very real entrepreneurial talents of the professional staff and volunteer leadership that are driving these organizations.

The Foundation was among the nine top performing small businesses honored last night by the Chamber and more than 400 business and community leaders, their colleagues, families, and friends at the National Conference Center. The honorees were selected by blue ribbon panels of area business leaders in secret ballots that kept the winners' names confidential until the announcement at last night's dinner.

In accepting the award, Waterford Foundation Executive Director Nancy Doane thanked the hundreds of volunteers whose work makes the Waterford Fair, Second Street School Living History Program, and historic preservation of the Waterford National Historic Landmark possible. Ms. Doane expressed her sincere appreciation for the Chamber's foresight and vision in establishing its Nonprofit Initiative,  stating that Visit Loudoun credits the Foundation's Waterford Fair for generating $8 million in annual economic activity for the Loudoun business community.   

Chamber President Tony Howard said that the competition for the Small Business Awards, now in its 17th year, is incredibly fierce. More than 182 businesses were nominated for these awards and just 34 finalists selected by blue ribbon committees of business leaders and industry experts.
 
"Chosen by their peers and other business leaders for this honor, the winners of the 2011 Small Business Awards are clearly among the most dynamic, innovative and successful companies in the region. The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce is proud to award them the most prestigious recognition for business excellence in Loudoun County," Howard said.    

The Waterford Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, endeavors to preserve the historic buildings and the open spaces of the National Historic Landmark District of Waterford, Virginia; and through education, to increase the public's knowledge of life and work in an early American rural community.