Bunim/Murray Productions founder Jonathan Murray (pictured, right) has been honored with the inaugural Above and Beyond award from the U.S.-based Non-Fiction Producers Association (NPA).

The award honors Murray, founder of The Real World and Born This Way prodco Bunim/Murray Productions, as a founding member of the organization – one whose presence and support has helped recruit other NPA members – as well as someone who has generously donated his personal time, money and expertise to further the reach and mission of the group.

NPA GM John Ford (left) presented Murray with the award during the NPA’s annual meeting at this week’s Realscreen Summit in Washington DC.

The organization, which launched in July 2014, is designed to foster best practices in non-fiction television production while also serving as a source of information and assistance for prodcos and their employees.

According to the NPA, the 38 production firms under its umbrella produce more than half of the non-fiction content on broadcast and cable television in the U.S., as well as OTT networks. This month, Authentic Entertainment (Ace of Cakes, Flipping Out) also joined the organization.

“We all got into this industry because we wanted to become storytellers, and in the process we also ended up being business owners,” said Murray in a statement. “The fellowship of the NPA is something I truly believe in; I’m very appreciative of this honor and will continue working with the group toward the NPA’s mission and goals.”