Heinz Family Foundation Announces Sunset of Heinz Awards Program

PITTSBURGH, December 15, 2025 — The Heinz Family Foundation announced today that it will sunset its Heinz Awards program effective December 31, 2025. This decision follows thoughtful deliberation by Teresa Heinz and her family, making possible new philanthropic efforts by the next generation.

“It has been a joy for me to lead a program that celebrates individuals who dare to be innovative, thoughtful and visionary, believing that with hard work and dedication, change is possible,” said Mrs. Heinz. “Over three decades, the Heinz Awards has coalesced a community with heart, high ideals and a spirit of goodwill. While the Awards program concludes, this is a pivotal moment where the next generation of the Heinz family will bring fresh perspectives to our philanthropy. This feeds my hope for the future as do the 30 years of Heinz Awards recipients who share a commitment to transformational ideas.”

 

Created by Teresa Heinz to honor the memory and spirit of her late husband U.S. Senator John Heinz, the Heinz Awards have, for 30 years, recognized individuals whose work embodies his commitment to courage, creativity and the public good. Awards were presented in categories including the Arts, the Economy and the Environment. Since 1995, the Foundation has honored 186 recipients with awards totaling nearly $40 million.

The impact of the Heinz Awards lies in the bold visionaries it recognized, whose ideas and achievements continue to ripple outward, informing policy, inspiring movements and advancing artistic, social, economic and environmental progress. Alumni, whose profiles will remain available on the Heinz Awards website, spark hope and open worlds of possibility — they are the program’s greatest legacy.

The Heinz Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private family foundation and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

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Contact:
Abby Manishor
917-539-3308
amanishor@burness.com