CLEVELAND, Oct. 1, 2009 -- Dominion East Ohio will award $100,000 to area non-profits that have made a difference in the communities served by the company. A total of $100,000 in unrestricted grants for winning projects will be distributed through the 15th annual Community Impact Awards competition, sponsored by Dominion and Inside Business Magazine. 

The award recognizes cities and community organizations that have made major contributions toward the economic and social revitalization of communities located in Dominion's service area in Ohio.

Winners will share in $100,000 in grants from the Dominion Foundation. Entries will be judged by a cross-section of community leaders from throughout Dominion's service area. Winners will be recognized in the March 2010 issue of Inside Business Magazine. The entry deadline is Nov. 30. For more information, visit www.dom.com, keyword "Impact."

The Guidelines:

• Projects must have been completed between July 2008 and November 2009.
• Projects must have made a major contribution to the economic or social revitalization of communities in northeast Ohio.
• Projects must be located within the Dominion service area in Ohio.
• Organizations must be 501c(3), or have an eligible fiscal agent.

To Enter:

Submit a brief summary of no more than three typewritten pages. Attach a copy of the 501c(3) with entry. Support materials, such as photos, press clippings or literature representing the project, can also be included, but no videotapes or DVDs.

The following eight judging criteria should be used as a template for the summary:

1. Name of your organization, a contact name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, and complete mailing address.
2. A brief description/history of your community or organization.
3. A description of the project your community or organization developed to promote economic and/or social revitalization. Include objectives, benefits, impact and measurable results and community interest/involvement. Include both quantitative and qualitative results.
4. The extent to which the project generated positive change and growth within its targeted area.
5. The number of people affected/served by this project.
6. A description of how the results of this project will encourage and promote future development and revitalization.
7. Community impact: The effect the project has on jobs, spending, taxes, etc.

Double check that all information requested in steps 1-7, and a copy of your organization's 501(c )3, has been enclosed with the entry.

On the summary, include a contact name, title, phone number, e-mail address and complete mailing address. Submit to: Community Impact Awards, Dominion, 1201 East 55th Street, Cleveland, OH 44103. Deadline is Nov. 30.

Dominion East Ohio is a subsidiary of Dominion (NYSE: D), one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage systems and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

SOURCE: Dominion East Ohio