Philanthropist Steve Hilton Recieves Yunus Medal

Steven M. Hilton, CEO and President of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, received the first Yunus Social Innovation Medal presented by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and founder of the renowned Grameen Bank, at a ceremony launching the new California Institute for Social Business at California State University Channel Islands.

Professor Yunus will participate in the strategic direction of the new institute, the first of its kind in the nation. Professor Yunus sees it as the next step in global social transformation efforts following the success of the microcredit movement that he founded. Students will be encouraged to work and study in social businesses around the world. These are businesses which have been created to solve a social problem where investors may have their money returned, but the profits are reinvested to sustain the projects. The Social Innovation Medal will be awarded annually by Professor Yunus in conjunction with CSU Channel Islands.

“Steve Hilton is a leader who has worked for social change throughout his life,” said Richard R. Rush, president of CSU Channel Islands in announcing the prize. “He was chosen by Professor Yunus for his longstanding commitment to social transformation."

Aravind to receive $1.5 million Hilton Humanitarian Prize

Results do the talking: ''We never advertise,'' says Aravind's chief, P. Namperumalsamy.

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation announces jury selection of innovative eye care provider that has saved millions from blindness in India, now recognized as a low-cost model for efficient healthcare globally.

Aravind Eye Care System, the world’s largest eye care provider that has developed innovative technologies allowing it to perform 300,000 eye surgeries each year – 70 percent subsidized or free for the poor – has been selected to receive the 2010 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize of $1.5 million. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation presents the annual award, the world’s largest humanitarian prize, to an organization that is doing extraordinary work to alleviate human suffering. More than 200 nominations are received from throughout the world, and an independent international jury makes the final selection.

“Aravind is a remarkable enterprise and its scale of impact on millions of patients is phenomenal,” said Steven M. Hilton, CEO and president of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. “In a 30-year quest to end blindness in India, Aravind has developed innovative technologies that are now a model for both the developed and developing world.”

Hilton Foundation announces 2009 Humanitarian Prize

Steven M. Hilton, president and CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (left) announced the 2009 Hilton Humanitarian Prize of $1.5 million, largest in the humanitarian world, goes to PATH, a Seattle-based organization that develops innovative technologies such as single-use, disposable syringes that prevent needle reuse to solve global health problems for the poor. Joining Steve at the Seattle press conference is Dr. Christopher J. Elias, president and CEO of PATH, and at right is William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the Melinda & Bill Gates foundation, PATH’S largest funder.

World Water Day

Take a Minute Tomorrow When You Turn on the Tap to Consider the 1.1 Billion People in the World Without Safe Water. The Hilton Foundation is urging people to think about how fortunate we are (even here in LA) to have safe drinking water. Every time we turn on the shower, some poor child is crossing 3 miles of desert in Africa in search of water for her family to drink. Please take the time tomorrow to think about that when you are in the shower.

Source: Huffington Post