Sax LLP, a Clifton-based accounting, tax and advisory firm, announced on Monday the winner of its 3rd Annual Founders Award.
NJ Sharing Network took home the top prize of $15,000 for best demonstrating the impact it has on its beneficiaries, Sax said. The award will be used to support its mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation.
“NJ Sharing Network is extremely grateful to be the recipient of Sax’s Founders’ Award this year. This gift will empower our efforts and further our commitment to saving lives through innovative transplant research, family support and public education and awareness about the life saving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation,” Philip S. Kolm, chairman of the foundation board of trustees for NJ Sharing Network, said. “Our work is truly vital to the 4,000 New Jersey residents currently awaiting transplantation. Thank you to Sax for the support of our organization and recognizing our efforts to save lives!”
Nearly 150 local not-for-profit organizations submitted applications to Sax for the award. Five independent judges reviewed them to determine the winner of the $15,000 prize, in addition to 2nd and 3rd place, which received volunteer hours donated by Sax employees to support their mission. An award ceremony was held on Jan. 23 at the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack to celebrate the Top 75.
NJ Sharing Network said by working closely with hospitals and transplant centers, and by increasing awareness through educational tools and the media, the number of organs recovered in the state for transplant has quadruped since it was founded in 1987.
“I would love to see more for-profit organizations imitate our Founders’ Award event which is held to celebrate and honor the work of not-for-profit organizations making a difference in our world,” Todd Polyniak, head of Sax’s Not-for-Profit Practice, said. “The for-profit world needs to support the not-for-profit world because their positive impact benefits us all.”
Garden Academy in West Orange took home the second place spot and was the recipient of 40 volunteer hours for its effort toward improving the lives of those affected by autism through professional development efforts, research and dissemination work.
In third was Eden II Programs, winning 25 volunteer hours for its effort toward supporting those with autism through service, science and passion.
