(Left to right): Carnegie medalists Eli Broad, Teresa Heinz, Jay Mellon and Ratan Tata with Vartan Gregorian, president, Carnegie Corporation and William Thompson, great-grandson of Andrew Carnegie and honorary president, Carnegie UK Trust.

Philanthropic leaders whose long-term support has brought beneficial change to millions of people in communities in the United States, India and worldwide were named winners of the 2007 Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. The medalists, Eli Broad, the Heinz family and the Mellon family, all from the United States, and the Tata family of India, were recognized at a celebration on October 17, 2007, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Carnegie began his career and forged his business success. The 2007 events were hosted by The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission and Carnegie Mellon University—the Pittsburgh institutions Andrew Carnegie founded.

“The impact this year’s Laureates have had on the well- being of families around the world has taken philanthropy to new heights for commitment, daring and vision,” said Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York and chair of the executive selection committee. “These philanthropists have used far more than their collective wealth to introduce change. They have put their conviction and courage to work embracing seemingly impossible challenges that many others have avoided.”

The Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy was first awarded in 2001 at the centennial observance of Andrew Carnegie’s official career as a philanthropist. Subsequently, the medals have been given every two years to honor families and individuals from around the world who, like Andrew Carnegie, have dedicated their private wealth to the public good and who have sustained their philanthropic activities. Criteria for selection include the medalist’s contributions to a field, the nation or internationally, a track record of philanthropic giving and a vision of philanthropy that reflects Carnegie’s ideals. The Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy winners are selected by an international jury comprising the leaders of six of the more than 20 Carnegie institutions around the world endowed by Andrew Carnegie during his lifetime. The next Medals will be awarded in October of 2009 in New York City.

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