Find out answers to the most frequently asked questions about the
Jefferson Awards.
What are the Jefferson Awards?
The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring
community and public service in America. The Jefferson Awards are presented
on two levels: national and local.
What is the mission of the Jefferson Awards?
The mission of the Jefferson Awards is to encourage and honor individuals
for their achievements and contributions through public and community
service.
Who sponsors The Jefferson Awards?
The Jefferson Awards are a program of the American Institute for
Public Service, a 501c3 non-partisan and non-profit foundation.
The Institute was founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S.
Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard in 1972. (Change Media
Partner name as appropriate) WESH-TV, along with the Central
Florida YMCA and General Motors are the proud sponsors of the
local Jefferson Awards in (name of community) central Florida.
Who selects the National Winners and who are they?
The Jefferson Awards Board of Selectors choose the winners. The
Board is a 75-member prestigious group of leading Americans that
includes: Senators Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, as well as Laura
Bush, Hank Aaron, Lesley Stahl and Michael Douglas.
The national Jefferson Awards honorees are a "Who's
Who" of American history makers. They have included: Barbara
Bush, Rosalynn Carter, Colin Powell, Bob Hope and Supreme Court
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Each year, one winner is selected in each of four categories:
Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official
Greatest Public Service by a Private Citizen
Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged
Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under
Who selects the local winners and who are they?
The Jefferson Awards has 147 Media Partners in 93 communities across
the country. A local panel of judges select the winners. These
Media Partners are major local newspapers, television and radio
stations. Most Media Partners select five to six winners. Some
honor a volunteer each month or each week.
The local winners are "Unsung Heroes"– ordinary
individuals who are performing extraordinary deeds – mostly
without recognition.
How do these local winners get to the national level?
From each community, the Jefferson Awards Board selects one local winner to come
to Washington as part of our National Ceremonies in Washington, DC in June.
Over 60 U.S. Senators present these winners their award. The Board of Selectors
picks five of these to receive the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for "Outstanding
Community Service Benefiting Local Communities." They stand side by side
with the four other national award winners. Who funds The Jefferson Awards?
Donations are received from hundreds of individuals, corporations
and foundations. The Institute has a small endowment to help
underwrite our costs.
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