Heinz Awards
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 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 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 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.
Selection
As written by the Heinz Family Foundation, candidates selected for the Heinz Awards met three standards:First, nominees exhibited the following personal characteristics: A passion for excellence that went beyond intellectual curiosity; a concern for humanity rooted in a deep sensitivity to the well-being of others; and a broad vision that extended far beyond the particular and embraced something universal.
Second, the work of the nominees met the following criteria: it was significant and not a "quick fix"; it demonstrated enduring and meaningful impact; it was creative and innovative; and it was sufficiently tangible to serve as a model for replication elsewhere.
Third, candidates were actively working in the field in which they were nominated so that the award would enhance their potential for future societal contribution.
Nominations were submitted by invited experts, who served anonymously. Submissions were researched and evaluated by Foundation staff and reviewed by jurors appointed by the Heinz Family Foundation. Jurors in each category made recommendations to the program’s board of directors, which selected the Award recipients.