FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2011
Olympic Speedskating Legend Johann Koss Receives
The Newman’s Own Award for Philanthropy
Athlete and Social Entrepreneur Uses Sports to Improve Lives of Children
Arlington, VA — The Council on Foundations and Newman’s Own Foundation yesterday presented the 2011 Newman’s Own Award to Johann Koss, four-time Olympic gold medalist and founder of Right To Play, at the Council’s 2011 Annual Conference in Philadelphia. Koss also received a $50,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, bringing the Foundation’s total contribution to Right To Play to nearly $200,000 since 2006.
The award was established in 2010 by Newman’s Own Foundation, the private foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, to recognize individuals who have used their professional achievement for significant philanthropic service and/or leadership.
“Supporting philanthropy that has a positive and sustainable effect on young people is a high priority of the Foundation,” said Robert Forrester, president of Newman’s Own Foundation. “Johann Koss’ work and Right To Play have touched the lives of more than one million children. He has leveraged his success beyond the track to make the world a better place. We are proud to present him with The Newman’s Own Award.”
Koss won three of his four gold medals at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Games and broke 10 world records during his speedskating career. Recognizing the vital role that sports play in the development of children, he donated a large amount of his winnings to Olympic Aid, an athlete-driven nonprofit organization. He also encouraged his fellow athletes to do the same.
In 2000, Koss founded Right To Play, an international humanitarian and development organization that uses sports as a tool for social change, instilling hope, teaching conflict resolution, and helping children impacted by war, disease, and poverty develop critical life skills. The organization delivers programming in 20 countries throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
“Johann Koss has taken the leadership he developed as an Olympic athlete and his firsthand knowledge of the role sports play in the development of children and directly applied these attributes to the field of philanthropy,” said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations.“In the spirit of The Newman’s Own Award, Johann is translating his talents into making a positive difference in the lives of children around the world.”
“I am extremely honored to receive The Newman’s Own Award and to be aligned with such an extraordinary foundation, man, and philanthropist,” said Koss. “As a pioneer in the field of sport for development, we have brought joy and hope to the lives of more than one million children. Our receiving this award and corresponding grant further ensures we will be able to provide children with opportunities to engage in play-based activities and the tools to develop critical life skills.”
About Council on Foundations
The Council on Foundations (www.cof.org), formed in 1949, is a nonprofit membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. Members of the Council include more than 1,750 independent, operating, community, public, and company-sponsored foundations, and corporate giving programs in the United States and abroad. The Council’s mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.
About Newman’s Own Foundation
Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman’s Own Foundation donates to charity all net royalties and profits after taxes it receives from the sale of Newman’s Own products. To date, Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have given over $300 million to thousands of charities around the world. For more information, please visit Newman’s Own Foundation at www.newmansownfoundation.org
About Right To Play
Right To Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organization using sport and play as tools to effect behaviour and social change. Our trained Coaches and community leaders implement our programs which are designed to develop basic life skills, prevent diseases, teach conflict resolution and instill hope in children affected by war, poverty and disease. Right To Play implements programs in 20 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. A pioneer in its field, Right To Play sets standards for quality sustainable programming, promotes best practices and advances research on the efficacy of sport-based development efforts. Founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur, Right To Play fosters the hope and skills that are essential to envisioning and realizing a better future. To learn more about Right To Play, please visit www.righttoplay.com.