Do you know an outstanding volunteer, nonprofit organization, business or philanthropist whose efforts support nonprofits in the greater Sedona area? Honor your pick with a nomination for the 2009 Spirit of Sedona Awards, presented by the Sedona Community Foundation.

This year’s award recipients will be recognized at SCF’s 2009 Spirit of Sedona Awards and Grant Presentation, to be held on Oct. 6 at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. On behalf of each honoree, SCF will contribute $1,000 to the Sedona nonprofit of their choice. SCF will also award $165,000 in grant funding to various nonprofits, recipients of this year’s open competitive grant cycle.

Nominees for Volunteer of the Year must have demonstrated outstanding volunteer contributions towards improving the quality of life in the greater Sedona area. Similarly, the award for Nonprofit Organization of the Year must benefit individual welfare and quality of life in the Sedona community. Nonprofit nominees must be a 501(c)(3) organization, public school or municipality in existence for more than five years. The Business Benefactor of the Year award is open to any Sedona area business noteworthy for its charitable contributions and community efforts. The Philanthropist of the Year award honors a Sedona area individual or couple distinguished by charitable leadership and caring for humanity.

Last year’s honorees included Andrew Brearley (Volunteer), Friends of the Forest (Nonprofit), New Frontiers Natural Marketplace (Business Benefactor) and Susan N. Coleman (Philanthropist of the Year, awarded posthumously).

Download and complete the Spirit of Sedona awards nomination form at www.sedonafoundation.org, or contact Delstene Atkinson at 928-282-1058 or datkinson@azfoundation.org to request a hard copy. Completed nominations can also be e-mailed to this address, mailed to P.O. Box 558, Sedona, AZ 86339 or hand-delivered to 1835 West Highway 89A, Suite 2, Sedona, AZ 86336. All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2009.