A Convention of Carnegies

ANDREW CARNEGIE’S 21 ORGANIZATIONS

  • Carnegie Hall, New York, 1889
  • Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, 1895
  • Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 1900
  • Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, Dunfermline, 1901
  • Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C., 1902
  • Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, Dunfermline, 1903
  • Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, Pittsburgh, 1904
  • Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Menlo Park, California, 1905
  • Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, United Kingdom, Dunfermline, 1908
  • Fondation Carnegie, France, 1909
  • Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, D.C., 1910
  • Carnegie Belønningsfud for Heltemod, Denmark, 1911
  • Carnegie Corporation of New York, New York, 1911
  • Carnegie Heldenfonds, Netherlands, 1911
  • Carnegie Heltefund for Norge, Norway, 1911
  • Carnegiestiftelsen, Sweden, 1911
  • Fondation Carnegie, Belgium, 1911
  • Fondazione Carnegie, Italy, 1911
  • Fondation Carnegie pour les sauveteurs, Switzerland, 1911
  • Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, Dunfermline, 1913
  • Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs, New York, 1914
On December 10, 2001, in New York City, the board members of the 21 organizations founded by Andrew Carnegie met for the first time ever. They gathered to “acknowledge, honor and celebrate the life and legacy” of their founder, heralding Carnegie as the man who “shepherded in the era of modern philanthropy.” Although many do not realize it, the various Carnegie entities are completely independent of one another. The meeting was called to order by the board chairmen of three Carnegie organizations, including Tom Urban of the Carnegie Institution of Washington (CIW). Three organizations, among them CIW, were singled out for special acknowledgment in recognition of their centennials. Maxine Singer, the president of CIW, gave a 10-minute presentation highlighting some of the institution’s accomplishments over the past 100 years. Representatives from Carnegie Mellon University and the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland also spoke for 10 minutes each, while the other speakers talked more briefly.

Following the presentations,Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, addressed the gathering about a new medal for philanthropy sponsored by all 21 Carnegie organizations. The Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy will be given biennially to individuals “who embody our founder’s vision of ensuring that private wealth serves the public good.”All of the Carnegies will take part in nominating individuals to receive the medal. There are four permanent members of the award selection committee: the Carnegie Institution of Washington, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. The other organizations will rotate service on the selection committee.

Seven individuals received the inaugural medal: George Soros, Ted Turner, David Rockefeller, Irene Diamond, Leonore Annenberg, Brooke Astor, and William Gates, Sr. They were honored at a ceremony and luncheon that day at the New York Public Library. The celebration continued into the evening, ending with a reception at the Russian Tea Room and a concert at Carnegie Hall.

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