Levinson Family Lifetime Philanthropy Award

Do you want to make the world a better place?

Through this award, you are applying to receive a fund through your local community foundation to support the causes and organizations you care about most.

It’s not a scholarship fund — it’s a way to give back and make a lasting impact.

Award Description:

If selected, you will receive your own charitable fund, managed by the Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF). Through it, you can give about $500+ each year to nonprofits you care about. HCCF staff will provide philanthropy education and will host meetings with other Levinson Family Lifetime Philanthropy Award winners from time to time.

The original award from Salmon Levinson, Frank Levinson’s great-grandfather, came from someone who cared deeply about the future of our country and the world. He was a visionary and socially active, a community organizer who promoted peace, fairness, and equality. Frank Levinson hopes this gift will teach the value of philanthropy and show how being involved in your community over time can create real change, enrich lives, and sometimes even bring unexpected rewards. Recipients should be both talented and strongly committed to helping their communities.

Award Process

1. Seniors apply for the award.
2. NHS faculty and HCCF staff review select applications and conduct interviews.
3. Students are selected as winners.
4. Winners are announced at Senior Awards Night.
5. Winners complete HCCF’s philanthropic education the following summer and select the first grantee in their lifetime of philanthropy

Award Criteria

• Should demonstrate a strong work ethic as well as an interest in community involvement and community service
• Should be involved and respected among peers and by faculty and staff but need not be at the top of the class academically.
• Should exemplify the qualities of Salmon O. Levinson, one of the authors of the original League of Nations Charter, who was devoted to the future of our country and the world, was deeply socially engaged, and was committed to peace, equality, and fairness.