What's Happening?
The Elevate Prize Foundation, founded by Joseph Deitch in 2019, aims to empower leaders, activists, and innovators across various sectors by providing them with annual, unrestricted awards. The foundation's mission, encapsulated in the mantra 'Make Good Famous,' focuses on raising the visibility of social entrepreneurs who are making significant impacts in fields such as climate justice and criminal justice reform. The foundation offers not only financial support but also leadership development, media amplification, and a robust peer network. Recent winners include David Flink of The Neurodiversity Alliance and Lisa Hunter Romanelli of The REACH Institute. The foundation also recognizes cultural icons through its Elevate Prize Catalyst Award, with past honorees including Malala Yousafzai and Michael J. Fox.
Why It's Important?
The Elevate Prize Foundation's approach highlights the importance of visibility and storytelling in driving social change. By amplifying the work of social entrepreneurs, the foundation helps these leaders attract new supporters and inspire collective action. This model of philanthropy not only provides financial resources but also leverages media and storytelling to create a broader impact. The foundation's efforts to build a community among prize winners and provide them with comprehensive support reflect a shift towards trust-based philanthropy, which emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals who are already making a difference. This approach can potentially lead to more sustainable and scalable solutions to global challenges.
What's Next?
The Elevate Prize Foundation is exploring new initiatives, such as Elevate Cities, which aims to focus on local heroes and create a more hyper-local impact. This initiative could further expand the foundation's reach and influence by highlighting and supporting changemakers at the community level. Additionally, Joseph Deitch is expanding his personal philanthropy efforts, focusing on areas such as cancer research and community health. These efforts indicate a continued commitment to leveraging philanthropy for social good and may inspire other philanthropists to adopt similar models.
Beyond the Headlines
The foundation's emphasis on storytelling and media amplification underscores the power of narrative in effecting social change. By making 'good famous,' the Elevate Prize Foundation challenges traditional notions of fame and success, suggesting that recognition and visibility can be powerful tools for social entrepreneurs. This approach also raises questions about the role of media in shaping public perceptions of social issues and the potential for storytelling to drive meaningful change.
