Spirit of ABNY
The ABNY Foundation created the Spirit of ABNY Awards in 2007 to raise funds while honoring select New Yorkers who have provided a distinguished level of service to our great city.
In addition, the foundation will recognize the civic achievements of one individual each year by presenting them with the Lew Rudin Founder’s Award, in memory of ABNY’s first chairman.The ABNY Foundation's Spirit of ABNY Awards funds social, educational, and civic initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the five boroughs of New York City.
Spirit of ABNY Awards 2020
December 16, 2020 | Virtual Platform
On December 16, The ABNY Foundation hosted its annual Spirit of ABNY Awards to celebrate civic leaders and partners who are tireless advocates for the City of New York as well as those who worked to ensure a fair and accurate Census count despite unprecedented challenges: New York State Attorney General Letitia James; Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice; and Carl Weisbrod, Senior Advisor, HR&A Advisors.
The ABNY Foundation also recognized New Yorkers who fearlessly served the city during the peak and in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic: Dr. Steven J. Corwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of NewYork-Presbyterian and Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers. Lastly, Robert Lehrman was awarded the ABNY Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to ABNY Inc. and The ABNY Foundation during his many years of service as Audit & Finance Committee Chair.
Thank you to the Martina DaSilva Quartet, DJ Zeke, and our After Party sponsors: Doordash, Lyft, Starbucks, and Dear Irving. We are grateful to all the honorees, presenters, and esteemed guests who attended the VIP Reception, virtual awards ceremony, and After Party.
Spirit of ABNY Awards 2019
May 6, 2019 | The Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
The ABNY Foundation welcomed hundreds of distinguished guests, made up of ABNY members and City representatives, on Monday, May 6, 2019, at its thirteenth annual Spirit of ABNY Awards cocktail reception at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center. This year, the ABNY Foundation honored the commitment of several leaders and organizations who are keeping New Yorkers and the city overall moving forward through their advocacy, and civic leadership. The recipients of the Spirit of ABNY Award and The Lew Rubin Founder’s Award continue to demonstrate their commitment to New York City through their dedication to their profession and their community.
The honorees included: The Lew Rudin Founder’s Award recipient Congressman Jerry Nadler, Mayor David Dinkins, Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor, Héctor Figueroa, President 32BJ SEIU, and Central Synagogue (accepted by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl).
Spirit of ABNY Awards 2018
April 23, 2018 | The Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
The ABNY Foundation welcomed hundreds of distinguished guests, made up of ABNY members and City representatives, on Monday, April 23, 2018, at its twelfth annual Spirit of ABNY Awards cocktail reception at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center. This year, the ABNY Foundation honored the commitment of several leaders and organizations who are keeping New Yorkers and the city overall moving forward through their advocacy, and civic leadership. The recipients of the Spirit of ABNY Award and The Lew Rubin Founder’s Award continue to demonstrate their commitment to New York City through their dedication to their profession and their community.
The honorees included: The Lew Rudin Founder’s Award recipient James P. O’Neill, NYPD Police Commissioner, NY Magazine (accepted by Pam Wasserstein), and Congressman Joseph Crowley.
Spirit of ABNY Awards 2017
April 24, 2017 | The Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
The ABNY Foundation welcomed hundreds of distinguished guests, made up of ABNY members and City representatives, on Monday, Apirl 24, 2017, at its eleventh annual Spirit of ABNY Awards cocktail reception at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center. This year, the ABNY Foundation honored the commitment of several leaders and organizations who are keeping New Yorkers and the city overall moving forward.
The honorees included: Times Square Pedestrian Plazas (Accepted by Times Square Alliance and the NYC Department of Transportation), TCS New York City Marathon (Accepted by: Michael Capiraso, President & CEO of New York Road Runners and Peter Ciaccia, President & Race Director of New York Road Runners)), and the Lew Rudin Founder’s Award recipient Thomas F. Prendergast, Immediate Past Chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Trasportation Authority. Governor Andrew Cuomo provided brief remarks. There was also special recognition to the life of ABNY founding member Jack Rudin.
Past Events
Spirit of ABNY Awards 2016
May 2, 2016 | The Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
The ABNY Foundation welcomed hundreds of distinguished guests, made up of ABNY members and City representatives, on Monday, May 2, 2016, at its tenth annual Spirit of ABNY Awards cocktail reception at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center. This year, the ABNY Foundation honored the commitment of several leaders and organizations who are creating a brighter future for New York City.
The honorees included: The New York City Fire Department (Accepted by FDNY Foundation Board Members: Fire Commissioners Daniel Nigro & Sal Cassano), The Archdiocese of New York (Accepted by his eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan), and the Lew Rudin Founder’s Award recipient Governor Mario M. Cuomo (Accepted by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo).
Spirit of ABNY Awards 2015
April 30, 2015 | Bill’s Bar and Burger Rockefeller Center
2014 Spirit of ABNY Awards
May 22, 2014 | Bill's Bar and Burger Rockefeller Center
