• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Recognizing individuals who are addressing some of America’s most difficult social problems 2 AMERICANS OF ALL AGES, ALL CONDITIONS, AND ALL DISPOSITIONS CONSTANTLY FORM ASSOCIATIONS. THEY HAVE NOT ONLY COMMERCIAL AND MANUFACTURING COMPANIES BUT ASSOCIATIONS OF A THOUSAND OTHER KINDS—RELIGIOUS, MORAL, SERIOUS, FUTILE, ENORMOUS, OR DIMINUTIVE. THE AMERICANS MAKE ASSOCIATIONS TO GIVE ENTERTAINMENTS, TO FOUND SEMINARIES, TO BUILD INNS, TO CONSTRUCT CHURCHES, TO DIFFUSE BOOKS; TO SEND OUT MISSIONARIES; THEY FOUND IN THIS MANNER HOSPITALS, PRISONS, AND SCHOOLS. WHEREVER, AT THE HEAD OF SOME NEW UNDERTAKING, YOU SEE THE GOVERNMENT IN FRANCE, OR A MAN OF RANK IN ENGLAND, IN THE UNITED STATES YOU WILL BE SURE TO FIND AN ASSOCIATION. - ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE, DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA History has shown that free markets been characterized by its vibrant civil is presented to a leader who has been are the best way to organize economic society, one in which private, nonprofit, both demonstrably effective and widely activity. But the Manhattan Institute voluntary nongovernmental organizations influential. An honorarium of $100,000 understands that in a healthy society, are formed to ameliorate social ills. accompanies the Simon Prize. markets are complemented by charitable and philanthropic enterprises—which The Manhattan Institute’s Social Entrepre- The Richard Cornuelle Award for Social both help those in need and prepare neurship Awards honor nonprofit leaders Entrepreneurship is given each year citizens to realize their potential. Adam who have founded innovative private to up to five organizations that have Smith understood this: his writing on organizations to help address some of demonstrated both effectiveness and the the virtues of markets was preceded by America’s most pressing social problems. promise of significant impact. A prize of his writing on morality, compassion, and The awards include two prizes. The first, $25,000 is presented to the organization altruism (Theory of Moral Sentiments). the William E. Simon Prize for Lifetime founded or led by the award winner. Since its founding, the United States has Achievement in Social Entrepreneurship, The 2017 Manhattan Institute Social Entrepreneurship Awards are supported by funds from the William E. Simon Foundation, Ohnell Family Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Howard Husock, vice president for policy research and publications at the Manhattan Institute, is director of the program. 3 The William E. Simon Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Social Entrepreneurship the persuasive one, landed the job. His assistance to institutions seeking to career took off as he mastered the arts of strengthen the free enterprise system and buying and selling bonds. He was soon America’s heritage of liberty and limited recruited by Salomon Brothers, where he government. Bill was named the President directed the bond department and earned of the United States Olympic Committee a reputation on Wall Street as a master in during the tumultuous period following that field of investing. the U.S. boycott of the 1980 games, and guided the USOC through the highly That reputation brought him to the successful 1984 games in Los Angeles. William E. Simon (1927–2000) attention of President Nixon and George With the profits from those games, he Shultz, Nixon’s Treasury Secretary, who established the U.S. Olympic Foundation invited Bill to join the administration as isruptor is a word often used that today provides funds for U.S. athletes a Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. He to describe those who are not in training. quickly proved himself to be a straight- content with the status quo shooter who liked to take on difficult Inspired by his Catholic faith, Bill served and who are compelled by an problems. In the midst of the energy crisis as a Eucharistic Minister, bringing comfort Dinternal drive to challenge those around in 1973, President Nixon appointed him to and support to AIDS patients in New York them and thereby to make the world a serve as his energy “czar.” He made the City. In addition, he established a program better place for all. hard decision to eliminate regulations and at the Morristown Medical Center that to William E. Simon was one such disruptor. controls and to allow markets to allocate this day provides no-strings-attached He was born in Paterson, New Jersey and supplies and to set prices, an approach cash gifts to patients and families facing came of age in Spring Lake on the Jersey that stabilized the situation far more financial strains associated with medical Shore. He lost his mother at an early age. quickly than anyone had expected. He emergencies. On Christmas Day, Bill and Though very bright, he was not a diligent was appointed Secretary of the Treasury his family often travelled to New York student, and was asked by more than one in 1974 and served in that position under City to serve lunch to homeless teens at school to leave and not return. Those Presidents Nixon and Ford until 1977. Bill Covenant House. difficulties did not discourage him, but was always proud of his career in public In his charitable work, Bill Simon believed rather reinforced his determination to service. in giving people in need a “hand up,” but prove the doubters wrong. He managed After leaving government, Bill partnered not a “hand out.” Like Andrew Carnegie, he to graduate from high school, then served with Ray Chambers and together they wanted to “help people help themselves.” a stint in the U.S. Army, before enrolling pioneered the technique of leverage Too often, he felt, government programs and graduating from Lafayette College in buyouts. Due to the great success of encouraged dependency rather than 1951. He and Carol Girard were married in their partnership, Bill found himself in genuine independence and self-reliance. 1950, and the couple proceeded to raise a position in which he could begin to For this reason, he did not contribute to seven children in the Morristown, New give away some of his wealth to worthy organizations that received large sums from Jersey area. philanthropic outlets. government. Bill often told the story of how he began his Like everything Bill did, his philanthropy The William E. Simon Prize for Lifetime career on Wall Street by sitting patiently was bold, strategic, and compassionate. Achievement in Social Entrepreneurship in the waiting room of Union Securities Not only did he write generous checks, was established by the William E. Simon Company for three days before one of but he also took on leadership roles for Foundation a year after Bill’s death to the partners begrudgingly took him many causes. He served as president of the commemorate his legacy in business, public into his office for an interview. Bill, ever John M. Olin Foundation which provided service, and philanthropy by identifying 4 The Simon Prize recognizes individuals who have founded and led organizations that have been clearly effective in their work and who have emerged as prominent public leaders in their fields. Past winners include Geoffrey Canada, whose Harlem Children’s Zone has helped thousands of families break the cycle of intergenerational poverty; Brian Lamb, whose C-SPAN networks have brought the business of the American government into the homes of ordinary citizens; Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whose key role in the Special Olympics helped change how the developmentally disabled are viewed; and Daniel Biederman, founder of the Bryant Park Corporation, 34th Street Partnership, and Grand Central Partnership, whose vision and use of private, nonprofit management and finance has restored and maintained some of New York City’s greatest public spaces. and celebrating leaders who succeed in the intellectually disabled of our country The ability of Det. McDonald to see the solving difficult social challenges. The 17 to the mainstream; Dan Biederman was good in all people and his encouragement winners of this prestigious Prize embody recognized for his vision to use private to hundreds of thousands of people to those ideals held closely by Bill Simon by management of public spaces to benefit look for that value in others made him an not only identifying problems, but also the larger citizenry; Richard Gilder and inspiring figure in New York City and a developing large scale solutions. Lewis Lehrman, Brian Lamb, and Chris social entrepreneur unlike any other. He Anderson were all recognized for their was an everyday man, who woke up each Peter Flanigan , Wendy Kopp, Mike steadfast preservation and promotion of day literally fighting for breath, who used Feinberg and Dave Levin, Fr. Tim Scully, the right of Americans to have access to each valuable breath to do something for Sal Khan and Norman Atkins all were primary documents and ideas. someone else, quietly and effectively. Bill recognized for the positive disruptions Simon celebrated compassion and grit. they brought to the educational landscape This final William E. Simon Prize for He would be proud to know that Det. of our country; Eugene Rivers, Chuck Lifetime Achievement in Social McDonald is joining the roster of these Colton, and George MacDonald were all Entrepreneurship is being awarded to outstanding innovators. recognized for their efforts to stem gang the late Detective Steven McDonald. Det. violence and ensure dignified, productive McDonald is unique in that he did not start This Prize is meant to inspire others lives for people coming out of prison; a non-profit as his fellow winners have. and the remarkable accomplishments Elayne Bennett and Geoffrey Canada were After being shot by a 15 year old boy and of these winners not only inspire, but recognized for the successes they had paralyzed from the neck down, with a also highlight the joy of helping fellow in promoting mentorship and support pregnant wife at home, when most people citizens. It has been our honor to oversee services for young people; Eunice Shriver would have turned to bitterness and hate, this Prize in memory of William E.

Load more

  82

Copy Link