Photo: (Left to right) Dennis Van Roekel, NEA President; Harriet Sanford, The NEA Foundation President & CEO; Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow, The NEA Foundation Board Chair; Jeannie Oakes, Ford Foundation Director of Educational Opportunity & Scholarship Programs; John Stocks, NEA Executive Director. 

The NEA Foundation Award for Philanthopy in Public Education recognizes foundations and corporations of stature for their significant and demonstrated financial commitment to improving public education or supporting public schools, students, and educators.

The NEA Foundation presented its 2012 Award for Philanthropy in Public Education to the Ford Foundation for its work to ensure that all marginalized and disadvantaged people worldwide have access to high-quality education and for its work to strengthen educational systems around the globe toward that goal. Toward that end, the Ford Foundation focuses on strengthening educational systems to ensure all young people receive an education that enables them to engage in meaningful work and contribute as citizens in diverse societies.

Watch Oakes' acceptance speech.

Past Award Recipients

2011

The 2011 award was presented to Pearson Foundation for its significant commitment to public education, and their ongoing support of public schools, students, and educators. Working with a growing international network of leading public and private organizations, the Pearson Foundation provides programs and resources that help extend the effectiveness of leading nonprofits—including the NEA Foundation—that promote literacy, learning, and great teaching.

2010

The 2010 award was presented to Nickelodeon for its commitment to children and to education.  For more than 31 years, Nickelodeon has engaged and educated children across the nation and around the world. With its programming, Nickelodeon has encouraged preservation of the environment, health and wellness, education, and community service.

2009

The 2009 award was presented to Verizon Communications Inc. for its long-standing commitment to education. Ivan G. Seidenberg, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Verizon, accepted the inaugural award on the company's behalf the at the NEA Foundation's Gala.