Sample Baldrige Application Available for Non-profits

Non-profit organizations considering applying for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2007 or using the Baldrige criteria for performance excellence may be interested in an application for the award from a fictitious government organization, the "Flagstaff District of the U.S. Water Resource Agency." Starting in 2007, non-profit organizations—including charities, trade and professional associations, and government agencies—will be eligible to apply for the Baldrige Award.

The application was developed to help non-profit organizations better understand the Baldrige criteria for performance excellence and how it applies to them and to illustrate what an application for the award might look like. It also will be used to help train members of the private-sector board of examiners who review applications for the Baldrige Award. The application and evaluation process for the Baldrige Award is rigorous and thorough and has been called one of the most cost-effective and comprehensive performance assessments available anywhere. The application is available at http://baldrige.nist.gov/Flagstaff.htm.