Awards, Oct 12, 2006

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

Leadership. The Heinz Family Foundation (Pittsburgh) has announced the recipients of the 2006 Heinz Awards, which recognize exceptional leadership and accomplishments in five areas and honor the late Sen. H. John Heinz III, Republican of Pennsylvania. The winners, who each receive $250,000:

— Arts and humanities. James Nachtwey, a photographer and photojournalist in New York, whose images of war-torn regions of the world have appeared in Time magazine for more than 20 years.

— Environment. Paul Anastas, a chemist and founder of the Green Chemistry Institute, in Washington, for his work to prevent pollution through cleaner chemistry and collaborations among government, business, and academe.

— Human condition. William Thomas, a physician and founder of the Eden Alternative, in Wimberley, Tex., an organization that works to alleviate feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom among people who reside in assisted- living facilities.

— Public policy. Bruce Katz, a lawyer and urban-policy expert who founded the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, in Washington. The program seeks to spur economic growth, revitalize communities, and improve transporation and housing options for people who live in cities.

— Technology, the economy, and employment. Leroy Hood, a genomic biologist and president of the Institute for Systems Biology, in Seattle, who has pioneered research on DNA sequencing.

In addition, the foundation presented its Chairman’s Medal, which carries no monetary award, to Elma Holder, for her lifetime achievements in philanthropy. Ms. Holder is the founder of the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, in Washington, which advocates the rights of the elderly.

Nonprofit research. Independent Sector (Washington) has awarded its 2006 Virginia A. Hodgkinson Research Prize to Francie Ostrower, senior research associate at the Urban Institute’s Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, in Washington, for her report “Attitudes and Practices Concerning Effective Philanthropy.” This is the second time Ms. Ostrower has received the prize; she also won the award in 1996 for her report “Why the Wealthy Give: The Culture of Elite Philanthropy.”

Social services. The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty (Grand Rapids, Mich.) has presented its 2006 Samaritan Award to the Christian Women’s Job Corps of Nashville, in recognition of its work to help disadvantaged women develop life and job skills. The award, which carries a $10,000 cash prize, is administered by the institute’s Center for Effective Compassion.