Heinz Awards
| Heinz Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Innovative contributions in:
|
| Sponsored by | Heinz Family Foundation |
| Date | Established 1993 |
| Country | United States |
| Reward | US$250,000 |
| Website | heinzawards |
The Heinz Awards was an annual philanthropic program presented by the Heinz Family Foundation to recognize outstanding individuals. The program was established in 1993 by Teresa Heinz (chair of the Heinz Family Foundation) in honor of her late husband, U.S. Senator H. John Heinz III and concluded at the end of 2025. The Heinz Awards were considered to be among the largest individual achievement prizes in the world.
From their inception until 2019, the Awards encompassed the categories of Arts and Humanities; Environment; Human Condition; Public Policy; and Technology, the Economy and Employment. Subsequently, they recognized outstanding individuals for their innovative contributions in three areas: the Arts, the Economy and the Environment.
Each recipient received an unrestricted prize of US$250,000 and a cast silver medallion. In 2009 through 2011, the Awards held Special Focus years on the Environment and Global Change, and expanded its recognition to 10 recipients annually, each receiving US$100,000 and a medallion. The Heinz Awards medallion displays the likeness of Senator Heinz and the words "Shared Ideals Realized" on its front side, excerpted from a quote by the late Senator Heinz. Its reverse side features an image of a globe being exchanged between two hands.