About the Jefferson Awards

Honoring Those Who Multiply Good

For over 50 years, we’ve been honoring those who put others first because we’ve seen the power and importance of recognition. Those receiving Jefferson Awards are empowered to do more, while their stories of extraordinary public service inspire others to action.

Jefferson Awards

The Award that Underscores Impact

Over the past five decades, the list of Jefferson Award recipients is unparalleled. They include hundreds of national figures — both public and private —more than 65,000 unsung heroes, and tens of thousands of employees and young people in communities across the country. These individuals represent the good that is happening all around us, in every community across the nation. It is our mission to elevate them and exponentially increase their acts of service.

WATCH THE REPLAY

Experience or relive the incredible 50th Anniversary event celebrating service.

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MEET OUR 2023 SUPPORTERS

Discover more about our 51st Annual Jefferson Award sponsors who helped make this event possible!

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SEE PAST JEFFERSON AWARD RECIPIENTS

View all Jefferson Awards recipients since 1972.

Be Inspired

VIEW THE YEAR BOOK

View the year book for more information about the 2023 Jefferson Award nominees and honorees.

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National Jefferson Award Recipients

The rich history of the Jefferson Awards is marked with the names of many notable individuals — those who helped to establish the organization as well as those we have recognized across the years.

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National Awards Categories

Lifetime Achievement in Public Service

This award is given to an individual who has devoted their life to exceptional public service in any arena.
U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official

Publicly elected or appointed officials carry the greatest responsibility to serve the need of the American people, and to offer unusual leadership. By elevating the national standard of what it means to serve in public office, more qualified young people will aspire to civic leadership.
S. Roger Horchow Award for Outstanding Public Service by a Private Citizen

This award is given to any private citizen who plays a vital role in serving others and whose achievements are exceptional.
Outstanding Public Service in Professional Sports

This award is given to any individual in professional sports who has used their platform for good and made an equal mark in the community. Recipients can include athletes, coaches, and professional sports leaders.
Outstanding Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged

This award is given to the person who has done the most to uplift the position of disadvantaged Americans. Improvement in education, nutrition, working conditions, health services, housing or economic opportunities are among the achievements which can be rewarded.
Samuel S. Beard Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Individual(s) 35 & Under

This award is given to encourage youthful achievement in public service. Achievements in any field are eligible. Qualified for this category are persons who have not reached their 36th birthday prior to December 31 of the year in question.
Outstanding Public Service by an Individual(s) 25 Years & Under

This award is given to encourage the youngest Americans to deliver meaningful service to others. Achievements in any field are eligible. Qualified for this category are persons who have not reached their 26th birthday prior to December 31 of the year in question.
Outstanding Public Service by a Corporation

This award is designed to recognize a company who has truly done well by doing good.
Outstanding Public Service by an Employee

This award is designed to recognize one of the countless employees across the country who have been recognized locally through our Champions program. This individual performs extraordinary public service outside the workplace. Our Champion partners recognize numerous employees each year with local Jefferson Awards. Our Board of Selectors chooses one for national recognition.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Service Benefitting Local Communities

This award is designed to recognize five (5) of the countless individuals across the country who are performing extraordinary public service in their local communities. Our Media Partners recognize 1,000+ local grassroot unsung heroes each year with Jefferson Awards. Our Board of Selectors chooses five for national recognition.
Students In Action Gold/Silver/Bronze

Each year, student teams from our Leadership Communities compete against thousands of their peers be the representative for outstanding service at the National Jefferson Awards. One team per community is chosen. From these, our Board of Selectors chooses three for national recognition.