The North Star Fund Award recognizes individuals committed to social change for equality, economic justice and peace. The 2009 honorees are:

Nancy Meyer / Marc Weiss

Donor Activist / Independent Producer
Nancy Meyer nurtures organizations that address root causes of injustice and provides crucial support for grassroots-driven change. Marc Weiss, creator of the P.O.V. series on PBS and the Web Lab internet dialogue site, fosters citizen awareness and action on a broad scale.

David Strathairn

Actor & Activist
From an Oscar-nominated performance in Good Night and Good Luck and a lead role in Matewan, to support for organizations such as North Star Fund and Epic Theatre, David Strathairn's commitment to change from the ground up shines through his work as an artist and activist.

Marsha Bonner

Philanthropic Leader and Grantmaker
Marsha Bonner shapes philanthropy to further a humane and democratic society as Vice President for Programs at the Marin Community Foundation (MCF). She served on North Star Fund's staff from 1980 to 1989, including four years as our Executive Director.

The North Star Fund Frederick Douglass Award recognizes grantees making exceptionally innovative community-driven change.

This year, the North Star Fund Frederick Douglass awards go to:

Community Voices Heard

Community Voices Heard (CVH) organizes low-income people, predominantly women with experience on welfare, to improve the lives of families and communities. By focusing on welfare activism to further economic justice, CVH connects public policy with grassroots organizing and leadership development in New York.
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VAMOS Unidos

Founded in 2007, VAMOS Unidos organizes immigrant Latino street vendors to advocate for expanded opportunities and promotes the civil rights of street vendors throughout New York City.
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Community Gala Co-Chairs:

Susan Butler Plum
Oona Chatterjee
Theo Copley
Pierre Hauser & Abigail Disney
Jacqueline Mann
Vincent McGee
Maxim Thorne
Maggie Williams
Barbara Winslow

Click here to see photos and congratulatory messages from our 2008 Community Gala