(NIST) -- Consistent with its purpose, the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Inc. voted last week to commit funds to sustain the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program (BPEP) through fiscal year 2015.

The foundation stipulated that the use of the funds is for the furtherance of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and BPEP. The foundation will review the gift annually to determine any appropriate adjustments for a rolling three-year period.

Foundation chair, Debbie J. Collard, says the foundation’s support is due in part to its confidence in the ongoing development of the business and financial model by the Baldrige Enterprise, which includes BPEP, the foundation, the Alliance for Performance Excellence, and the American Society for Quality (ASQ). BPEP will use the funding in conjunction with revenues raised through a variety of fee-based product and service offerings to ensure both its and the Baldrige Enterprise’s sustainability.

In addition, the foundation has retained a professional fundraising firm to assist with its efforts on increasing the Foundation endowment. Firm representatives will be attending the 24th Annual Quest for Excellence to collect data and determine key messages.

 …