The NonProfit Times took home five awards in the Magazine division of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) New Jersey Chapter’s 2017 Excellence in Journalism Awards, recognizing work done in 2016.

There were awards in a variety of divisions and categories announced on Friday. This year’s contest entries were judged by the Michigan SPJ chapter.

The NonProfit Times swept the Business Reporting category. First Place was awarded to Senior Editor Mark Hrywna for his entry, “Wounded Warrior Project Upheaval,” covering the turmoil and turnover that occurred last year at one of the nation’s fastest-growing charities. The judges called the entry an “interesting and original take on the Wounded Warriors [sic] Project’s inability to effectively address criticism of its spending patterns.”

Second Place was awarded to the “2016 NPT 100,” an annual compilation of data from hundreds of nonprofits’ Form 990 to identify and analyze financial trends among the nation’s largest charities. Led by Hrywna, the report included work from correspondents Martin C. Daks and Katherine O’Keefe. Judges described the entry as “important and thorough annual look at trends in large nonprofits.”

Garnering Third Place was an entry by Hrywna titled, “Fright At The Museum,” that revealed a nearly $3-million phishing scam at one of the nation’s largest museums. “Interesting and important short story about a museum and a phishing scam that was revealed in a 990. No one else seems to have covered despite the large dollar amount involved,” according to judges’ comments.

In the Opinion category, Editor-in-Chief Paul Clolery won Second and Third Place awards for his “General Ramblings” column. The entry titled “Transitions Breed Uncertainty” won Second Place, reminding the nation’s nonprofit leaders of the sector’s might and called on them to remain calm during the presidential transition but to be ready for action.

The Third Place prize went to a column titled “It Didn’t Add Up.” Clolery offered his take on the media fiasco surrounding the Wounded Warrior Project and suggested changes by the charity’s board to regain the public’s trust.

There were more than 130 awards in a variety of divisions and categories. This year’s contest entries were judged by the Michigan SPJ chapter.