The 2011 John W. Gardner Leadership Dinner will take place during the Independent Sector Annual Conference 6:30-9:00 p.m. CT on Oct. 31 at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel. The evening will include performances by Danceworks Chicago and the Blues Hip Hop Connection featuring Grammy-winner Billy Branch.

Registration to the Conference includes one ticket to the Gardner dinner. Click here to purchase additional dinner tickets. 

If you are interested in sponsorship or tribute opportunities for the Gardner dinner in Chicago, click here. Gardner Dinner Program is now available online.

2011 Gardner Award Recipient

Bill Drayton is the recipient of the 2011 John W. Gardner Leadership Award. Mr. Drayton is the chief executive officer and founder of Ashoka, a global organization that supports individual efforts to address society’s most pressing problems with innovative, entrepreneurial solutions. Mr. Drayton has also been awarded the Prince of Asturias Award in International Cooperation, Spain's highest honor and Nobel Prize equivalent.

Read more about Bill Drayton

Learn about past Gardner award recipients.

2011 American Express NGen Leadership Award Recipient

Ai-jen Poo is the recipient of the 2011 recipient of the American Express NGen Leadership Award. Ms. Poo is the director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, a coalition of domestic workers in the United States who advocate for recognition and labor standards.

Read more about Ai-jen Poo.

About the Gardner Award

Each year, Independent Sector works with people across America’s nonprofit and philanthropic sector to identify a recipient who is a beacon of achievement. Winners of the Gardner Award provide models for future members of our sector, and recognizing them strengthens and uplifts our entire community.

The John W. Gardner Leadership Award recognizes living Americans working in or with the nonprofit community whose leadership has been transformative and who have mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes that improve people’s lives. The award honors visionaries who have empowered constituencies, strengthened participation, and inspired movements.

The John W. Gardner Leadership Award is sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundations. Learn more

About the NGen Award

The American Express NGen Leadership Award honors one accomplished nonprofit leader age 40 or under who has already demonstrated significant impact in addressing society's critical needs.

The NGen Leadership Award recipient must demonstrate transformative impact in their field, beyond just their organization; display a proven ability to collaborate in innovative, inclusive ways; show how they identify needs, generates solutions and assesses progress toward goals, is currently employed by a U.S.-based nonprofit or non-governmental organization; and is age 40 or under at the time of receiving the award. Learn more