Awards, Mar 04, 2004

The following awards have been presented for work in advocacy, fund raising, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and other areas.

Corporate philanthropy. The Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy (New York) has presented its 2003 Excellence in Corporate Philanthropy award, which honors companies for the commitment of their executives, innovation in corporate giving, and their dedication to evaluating the effectiveness of their philanthropy. Pfizer (New York) was honored for providing pharmaceuticals related to HIV/AIDS and other diseases to poor people. Hasbro (Pawtucket, R.I.) was recognized for donating toys and equipment to orphanages worldwide. In addition, the Children’s Health Fund (New York) received the Directors Award for its partnership with GlaxoSmithKline to provide medical care to underserved children.

Fund raising. The Association of Fundraising Professionals (Alexandria, Va.) has announced several recipients of its 2004 Awards for Philanthropy. The winners include:

— Outstanding corporation. American Express (New York) and its financial-services division, American Express Financial Advisors (Minneapolis), for their work to support financial literacy and other causes.

— Outstanding philanthropist. B. Thomas Golisano, founder and chief executive officer of Paychex, a payroll and human-resources company based in Rochester, N.Y., whose recent gifts include $14-million each to Strong Children’s Hospital (Rochester) and to the Rochester Institute of Technology.

— Outstanding volunteer fund raiser. Ann Bedsole of Mobile, Ala., a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama State Senate, who led efforts to prepare for the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Mobile in 2002.

Health. Grantmakers in Health (Washington) has presented its 2004 Terrance Keenan Leadership Award in Health Philanthropy to David A. Gould, senior vice president for program at the United Hospital Fund (New York). Mr. Gould was honored for his efforts to provide services to individuals with AIDS, to strengthen organizations providing primary-care services in low-income communities, and to improve the ways in which hospitals care for dying patients.

Technology. The Alliance for Public Technology (Washington) has presented its Susan G. Hadden Pioneer Award to Patrick Swygert, president of Howard U. (Washington), to honor his leadership in promoting technology access and training in poor communities. Mr. Swygert has helped develop community-based technology-training centers to address unemployment, homelessness, and other issues affecting disadvantaged people.

Youths. The International Youth Foundation (Baltimore) and Nokia (Mountain View, Calif.) have presented YouthActionNet Awards to 10 youth leaders from around the world. The winners received $500 each to support their efforts to promote social change, and the winning projects will be featured at http://www.Wyouthactionnet.org. The recipients:

— Marcelo Bar of Buenos Aires, who founded Compromiso Joven to encourage volunteerism among students at San Andrés U., in Buenos Aires.

— David Requejo Bercasio of Naga City, Philippines, executive director of the Naga City People’s Council, which promotes civic participation and has advocated environmental programs and services for disabled people.

— Silvie Ellsmore of Sydney, Australia, founder of the ReconciliACTION Network Anti-Racism Education Project, which provides training and support to youths working to counter racism.

— Maya Bianca Enlista of Metuchen, N.J., who founded the Inspiring Passion Project to help other youths begin volunteer programs.

— Muhammad Indrees Khan of Shabqadar, Pakistan, president of the Technical Development Training Institute, which mobilizes people to help increase public awareness of such health threats as HIV/AIDS and substance abuse.

— Jyotirmayee Mohapatra of Orissa, India, who helped start clubs throughout India that seek to reduce infant and maternal mortality, abolish child labor, enhance educational opportunities for children, and improve women’s welfare and equality.

— Joseph Kimani Njuguna of Nairobi, Kenya, who helped start the National Students Council for Peace, which trains youths in conflict resolution, human rights and responsibilities, and the promotion of peace.

— Ana Popovic of Nis, Serbia and Montenegro, a scout leader who organizes nature schools, summer and winter camps, and other activities for her younger peers.

— Zoltan Prekopcsak of Budapest, who collaborated with Hungarian musicians and writers to create online radio broadcasts of their work.

— Courtney Spence of New York, co-founder of Students of the World, which organizes exchange programs for college students and encourages them to share their experiences with their peers upon their return.