About AIPS - Our History

In 1972, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard founded the American Institute for Public Service, a 501 ( c ) 3 public foundation, to establish a Nobel Prize for public and community service. The Jefferson Awards.

The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels: national and local. National award recipients represent a "Who's Who" of outstanding Americans. Winners include three Supreme Court Justices, eight U.S. Senators six Secretaries of State, ten Cabinet Officers and three former First Ladies.

On the local level, Jefferson Awards recipients are ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition or reward. To help us identify and celebrate these "Unsung Heroes," in 1977, the Institute developed a partnership with Media Sponsors -local newspapers and television stations.

Each year in the Supreme Court, the highlight of the national ceremony is the five grassroots "Unsung Heroes." These five winners reflect the millions of Americans that volunteer in our local neighborhoods. This program provides the viewing audience with positive role models, whose accomplishments validate this idea generating inspiration for others on how civic engagement can contribute to a healthy society.

In 1989, the American Institute created the first National Television Special highlighting excellence in service to America. The special presents the national Jefferson Awards winners with special emphasis on the five grassroots "Unsung Heroes." Out of 210 media markets nationwide, 130-150 television stations throughout the country carry the special.

In 1992, the American Institute helped create and now co-administers the President's Student Service Awards to attract young Americans into volunteerism.