The John W. Gardner Leadership Award was established in 1985 to honor outstanding Americans who exemplify the leadership and the ideals of John W. Gardner (1912-2002), American statesman and founding chair of Independent Sector.

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.

Award recipients are builders -- people who, quite apart from personal achievements, have raised the capacity of others to advance the common good. Their leadership has either had national or international impact or, if at the regional level, has attracted wide recognition and imitation.

Nominations for the 2013 Gardner Award are now closed. A recipient will be announced in May.

About the Life of John W. Gardner

John W. Gardner was the ultimate builder of ideas and unifier of people and causes. He was an active and distinguished participant in America's educational, philanthropic, and political life.
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Past Recipients

The 2012 Gardner Award Recipient Jeff Skoll, founder of the Skoll Foundation, Skoll Global Threats Fund, and Participant Media, pictured with Bernard Milano, President of the KPMG Foundation and Chair of the 2013 John W. Gardner Leadership Award Committee. Read the news release to learn more about Jeff's leadership role in promoting a sustainable world of peace and prosperity.

Past recipients of the John W. Gardner Leadership Award include Bill Drayton, General Colin and Alma Powell, and Geoffrey Canada. Learn More