AMPLIFYING IMPACT.
The Elevate PRIZE Catalyst Award is presented by JOE Deitch, Founder and Chairman of The Elevate Prize Foundation.
The award recognizes prominent individuals who use their influence to inspire social action, providing $250,000 in unrestricted funding and practical resources to help them make even more impact.
2024
Dwyane Wade
In the words of NBA Hall of Famer and passionate trans rights activist Dwayne Wade, “Let’s make sure our kids have an opportunity to live this life that we all get to live.”
Inspired by his daughter, Zaya, who came out as trans in 2020, Dwyane has proven to be an extraordinary champion for the community and an advocate for trans rights. With funds from the award, Dwyane and the Wade Family Foundation have launched Translatable, a digital platform committed to creating a safe space where young members of the trans community can express themselves and to being an educational resource for their friends and family.
“With heartfelt gratitude, I accept the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award and share this honor with my daughter, Zaya, who has served as the catalyzing force behind Translatable.”
– DWYANE WADE
2024
Matt Damon
A shocking fact: 1 in 10 people around the world still do not have ready access to safe water.
That’s a crisis that actor, screenwriter, producer, and activist Matt Damon is dedicated to solving. To date, his organization Water.org, co-founded with Gary White, has empowered more than 60 million people across 11 countries with access to safe water and sanitation through affordable financing – changing lives around the world.
“I AM PLEDGING THE FUNDS TO WATER.ORG TO HELP REACH 50,000 PEOPLE ACROSS 11 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES WITH SAFE WATER OR SANITATION. THIS AWARD STRENGTHENS OUR RESOLVE TO KEEP PUSHING FOR A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO SAFE WATER, AND TO HELP EVERYONE SEE THE ROLE THEY CAN PLAY IN ENDING THE GLOBAL WATER CRISIS.”
– MATT DAMON
watch MATT DAMON talking about receiving the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award
2023
Michael J. Fox
Beloved actor, author and activist, Michael J. Fox, founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation after publicly disclosing his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.
For over 20 years, the foundation has been dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.
“The funds from the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award will be put to immediate use in developing the first biological staging system for Parkinson’s disease…Take it from me: You can be the solution you seek. Be the one to light the fire and inspire the world.”
– MICHAEL j. FOX
MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION
2023
Lizzo
From sharing her People’s Choice Award stage with activists and community leaders, to taking a stand for reproductive rights to promoting body positivity, multi-award winning artist Lizzo’s impact spans beyond her powerful music. Every year, she champions and spotlights Black organizations through her Juneteenth Giveback, amplifying their message of justice, equality, and hope – this year, she has committed the funds from the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award to take the campaign to new heights.
“I am so honored to be receiving the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award…I am pledging the entirety of the prize to my 4th annual Juneteenth Giveback…This is going to be the greatest year yet!”
– LIZZO
watch LIZZO talking about receiving the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award
2022
MALALA YOUSAFZAI & MALALA FUND
Malala Fund is on a mission to ensure that all girls can access free, safe, quality education – building a world where every girl can learn and lead.
LEARN MORE“As global crises put progress for girls’ education at risk, this support from The Elevate Prize Foundation could not come at a more critical time…We must ensure leaders fulfill their promises to girls and activate much needed change.”
– MALALA YOUSAFZAI
watch Malala Yousafzai talking about receiving the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award
2022
Amal and George Clooney & The Clooney Foundation for Justice
The Clooney Foundation for Justice works around the world to wage justice for survivors of human rights abuses.
LEARN MORE“Our goal at the Foundation is to free the innocent, and punish the guilty. To wage justice one case at a time.”
– Amal and George Clooney
watch the clooneys talking about receiving the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award
2021
TREVOR NOAH & THE TREVOR NOAH FOUNDATION
The Trevor Noah Foundation seeks to foster inspiring, learning and teaching environments in South African schools while empowering teachers to be innovative leaders and problem solvers in their classrooms and communities.
LEARN MORE“I am honored to be receiving the inaugural ELEVATE PRIZE Catalyst Award from the Elevate Prize Foundation. Their commitment to social good is something I admire and strive for every day, both in my personal life and for my Foundation.”
– TREVOR NOAH
watch TREVOR NOAH talking about receiving the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award
