Congratulations to the eight recipients of the prestigious Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy who were honored today at a ceremony at The New York Public Library. Videos introducing the honorees —narrated by Tina Fey— are featured below. Chosen by an international consortium of Carnegie institutions, these eight are among the most charitable and visionary philanthropists in America, embodying the spirit of giving demonstrated by Andrew Carnegie. Each recipient has had significant and lasting impact on a particular field, nation, or the international community, their generosity influencing issues ranging from education, the environment, and cancer research to the arts, healthcare, and technology. The medal presentation was hosted by Carnegie Corporation of New York, with Judy Woodruff, Co-anchor and Managing Editor of the PBS NewsHour, serving as master of ceremonies.
Meet the 2015 recipients of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy:
PAUL G. ALLEN
Paul G. Allen, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, has devoted his great fortune to serving humanity, searching for ways to catalyze change and make life better for coming generations.
CHARLES F. FEENEY
Charles F. Feeney, founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies, has quietly made countless large investments to meet today’s urgent challenges in education, health care, and peace and reconciliation.
HANNE AND JEREMY GRANTHAM
Hanne and Jeremy Grantham, leading environmental philanthropists, have poured ever-increasing shares of their personal wealth into combating climate change and other environmental threats.
THE HAAS FAMILY
The Haas Family, longtime Pennsylvania philanthropists, generously support improving the quality of life in Greater Philadelphia via the arts and culture, vital public spaces, and educational opportunities.
JON M. HUNTSMAN
Jon M. Huntsman, Sr., founder of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute, has maintained a lifelong habit of giving, particularly through support for leading-edge cancer research and treatment.
JOAN AND IRWIN JACOBS
Joan and Irwin Jacobs, prominent San Diego philanthropists, liberally support community organizations in education and the arts, as well as higher education institutions on both coasts.
BROTHERS RICHARD L. MENSCHEL AND ROBERT B. MENSCHEL
Brothers Richard L. Menschel and Robert B. Menschel, two stalwart New York philanthropists, are generous supporters and leaders of numerous arts, education, justice, and medical organizations.
DAVID M. RUBENSTEIN
David M. Rubenstein, patriotic philanthropist, has supported numerous historic institutions while making multimillion-dollar investments in the arts, libraries, education, health, and public policy.