From left: John Mayer; Michael J. Fox and Deborah W. Brooks; and Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry Emma McIntyre/Getty; Mark Seliger; Jerritt Clark/Getty John Mayer, Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry, and Michael J. Fox and Deborah W. Brooks of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research will be honored at the third annual Social Impact Summit, hosted by The Hollywood Reporter and Social Impact Fund on July 22 and presented by biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc. The event will convene changemakers, creatives and leaders across industries to inspire accessible, impactful philanthropy by breaking down barriers to meaningful change.
“Three years in, this summit keeps raising the bar — and this year’s honorees are a big reason why. John, Steph, Ayesha, Michael and Deborah aren’t just lending their names to causes; they’re doing the hard, sustained work that actually moves the needle. In a moment that demands more than good intentions, their work is a powerful reminder of how much can be accomplished when influence is matched by purpose,” said Maer Roshan, editor-in-chief, The Hollywood Reporter.
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Grammy-winning musician John Mayer will be honored as Philanthropist of the Year for his support and involvement with the Heart and Armor Foundation for Veterans Health, an organization he founded that focuses on scientific research to support veterans. The seven-time Grammy-winning artist has donated more than $5 million for scientific research into veterans’ mental health and community reintegration. His ongoing contributions have supported over 40 academic publications and over $16 million in federally funded scientific grants. The overall work has driven innovations in PTSD treatment, unique needs of women veterans, insomnia, racial disparities in mental health treatment, isolation and trauma, connecting civilians to military community and veteran leadership and continuing service.
“I am incredibly grateful to The Hollywood Reporter and the Social Impact Fund for honoring me with this award and recognizing the Heart and Armor Foundation for Veterans Health,” said Mayer. “This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States and we must recognize, support and help our veterans as they play an integral role in our nation. I am proud of the work we have accomplished and look forward to reaching many goals we have yet to achieve.”
Four-time NBA Champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry and actress, producer and entrepreneur Ayesha Curry will be recognized as Philanthropists of the Year for their groundbreaking nonprofit Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which aims to transform the school experience for a generation of Oakland kids, investing in food access, literacy, youth sports and the spaces where kids eat, learn and play each day. Through their work, Eat. Learn. Play. has provided more than 25 million meals to kids and has invested $20 million into closing the literacy gap by providing tutoring resources and support, distributing nearly 1 million new books, in addition to revitalizing dozens of schoolyards and playgrounds throughout Oakland.
“We launched Eat. Learn. Play. with the simple belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. Through access to nutritious food, high-quality literacy resources and safe places to play and be active, we’re working to help Oakland’s kids realize their full potential and experience the joy of a happy, healthy childhood,” said Stephen and Ayesha Curry, co-founders of Eat. Learn. Play. “We are deeply honored by this recognition from The Hollywood Reporter and remain committed to investing in the children and families we serve, telling stories that deserve to be told and creating opportunities that can make a lasting impact for generations to come.”
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research will be honored with the Philanthropic Organization of the Year award, with founder and Emmy-winning actor Michael J. Fox and CEO and co-founder Deborah Brooks accepting the honor. The foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda, ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today. Iconic actor, author and advocate Michael J. Fox launched the foundation in 2000 after publicly closing his 1991 diagnosis, at age 29, with Parkinson’s disease.
“The foundation works hand in hand with scientists, donors, advocates and families to cure Parkinson’s disease as quickly as possible. That has always been our end game,” said Fox. “It’s amazing to see the foundation’s work recognized, but this honor belongs to the entire community who makes our progress possible. Together, we’re sprinting to deliver on our promise to end Parkinson’s for good.”
“We are incredibly proud to honor these visionary leaders who are paving the way for progress in food security, veterans care, mental health and medical research, providing millions with life-changing resources,” said Craig Cichy, executive director of the Social Impact Fund. “At a time when the nonprofit community faces immense and complex challenges, this Summit is more important than ever. We are convening culture-makers who refuse to accept the status quo, and who are actively redefining the boundaries of modern philanthropy, and meaningful and lasting impact.”
Held at the DGA theater in West Hollywood, the half-day Social Impact Summit will bring together more than 500 culture-makers, production companies, talent agencies and notable figures from the entertainment and creative industries and beyond to celebrate philanthropic progress and inspire meaningful change. The event is generously sponsored by presenting sponsor, biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc.; Delta Air Lines (Official Airline of the Social Impact Fund); Macy’s; Perlman & Perlman LLP; and Peroni Nastro Azzurro. A&CO serves as SIF’s partnership agency of record, and the event is designed and produced by SIF’s creative agency of record, Fifth & Hardy.
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