Aims/priorities: The Prize is intended to recognise and advance efforts towards the alleviation of human suffering. It falls within the Foundation's aim of providing humanitarian aid to the most unfortunate and disadvantaged. The Prize highlights the worldwide need for humanitarian aid, and to encourage other actors to expand their support.
Who can apply? Nominees must:
- Be organisations, not individuals.
- Be established, nongovernmental, publicly supported charitable organisations with a US Internal Revenue Service tax-exempt status or the equivalent for international organisations. (International nominees will be contacted by the Foundation for appropriate documentation.)
- Be legally established for at least five years.
- Have their own audited financial statements for at least five consecutive years.
- Have expenditures greater than US $750,000 (around £592, 275) in their most recent financial year of operation.
Nominators
- The nominator should have direct knowledge of the nominated organisation's work.
- The nominator may not be an officer or employee, or any other individual receiving remuneration for his or her services from the nominated organisation. Board members may nominate providing they receive no payment for their service.
- The nominator may not be a family member of an officer or employee of the nominated organisation.
Grant amount: The prize winner is awarded US$2.5 million (approximately £1.97million).
The Prize is presented to the recipient organisation at a ceremony attended by international dignitaries and leaders from the humanitarian and human rights fields.
Typically up to 300 organisations are nominated each year for this prize.
Application process: Nominations are now open year-round.
The Prize year for which the organisation will be considered is determined by when the organisation’s nomination is received.
The nomination procedure is as follows:
- Create an account and password by visiting the Hilton Humanitarian Prize nominations portal.
- Upload a signed nomination letter which should not exceed four typed pages in 12-point font; emphasise the organisation’s accomplishments rather than future goals (both historic and recent performance should be addressed); and highlight the points outlined under evaluation considerations.
- The Foundation contacts the nominee for additional information and supporting materials.
- Selected nominees are invited to complete Phase 2 applications.
- Nominees are shortlisted.
- Following a rigorous vetting process, an independent international jury makes the final selection of the Prize recipient.
Enquiries about eligibility and nominations should be sent to the Nominations Team.
Deadline: The next submission date is
- 2027 Prize: 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026
Contact information: Email: nominations@hiltonfoundation.org
Website: https://www.hiltonfoundation.org/work/humanitarian-prize/our-prize/