The ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management (CNLM) staff wanted to raise money above and beyond their individual contributions to the 2007 ASU United Way campaign. What was the best way to involve the staff of 16? After some consideration, the CNLM staff decided to hold its own Iron Chef competition riding on the popularity of the Food Network show of the same name. The Iron Chef competition raised $135, making the total contribution of the Center, to date, $3,053. In addition to the staff-wide fundraiser, CNLM is also proud to announce that 100 percent of the staff participated in the campaign; a goal set by the staff from the start.

For the Iron Chef competition, each staffer chose one of three ways to contribute. To compete, one had to donate $20 and cook enough food to feed the staff. To judge, one had to donate a $10 privilege fee and outline a judging rubric. To just enjoy lunch with co-workers, one had to donate $5. The stakes? Bragging rights, Center Iron Chef apron and golden ladle. All food and prizes were donated by staff, so 100 percent of the donations went directly to the United Way campaign.

“Part of our mission is to enhance the effectiveness of those who lead, manage and support nonprofit organizations. The United Way campaign is a perfect opportunity for us to practice what we preach,” said Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft, Director of the Center. “By coming together as a team we were able to raise money to support one of the many amazing nonprofits in the Valley.”

Dishes were judged on a scale of one to 10 for taste, one to five for presentation and one to five for originality, for a total of 20 points. In the end, Michelle Lyons-Mayer’s cuisine reigned supreme.

“It’s really great to be able to have some fun with colleagues and support a very worthy effort at the same time,” said winner Lyons-Mayer.

The Center supports the United Way year-round through other means, as well. For the second year, the Center’s AmeriCorps program, Public Allies, has placed a service-minded young persons in a nonprofit apprenticeship at the Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW). Additionally, since its start at ASU in 1980, several American Humanics students have chosen VSUW for their senior internship.

The mission of the Arizona State University Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management (CNLM) is to help build the capacity of the social sector by enhancing the effectiveness of those who lead, manage, and support nonprofit organizations. As part of the College of Public Programs and in partnership with the School of Community Resources and Development, CNLM provides knowledge and tools to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations, professionals, board members, and volunteers by offering research, technical assistance, workshops, conferences, classes, and capacity building programs. For more information, visit: http://nonprofit.asu.edu.

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ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management director Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft awards the first place golden ladle to winner Michelle Lyons-Mayer. The staff gathered for a cooking competition to raise money for the ASU United Way campaign.

High resolution photo available: http://www.asu.edu/copp/nonprofit/pr_images/CNLMIronChef.JPG