Robert Kraft to Receive Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will receive the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence for outstanding leadership in business and philanthropy at a gala benefit on Thursday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. at The Waldorf Astoria’s Grand Ballroom. 

The award will be presented by Sanford I. Weill, chairman of Carnegie Hall’s Board of Trustees. CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley is the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

“We’re delighted to honor my great friend, Bob Kraft by presenting him with Carnegie Hall’s Medal of Excellence,” said Weill. “Bob has made such a remarkable impact on the lives of so many, complementing his great success in business with a strong commitment to giving back to the community. This is exemplified by Bob’s fortitude in having a designated member of the New England Patriots football staff to work with each of his football players on the importance of philanthropy and giving back to society. Now that is leadership and that is vision. We’re proud to recognize Bob for his great spirit of generosity and his friendship to the Hall.” 

Kraft is the founder, chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group, headquartered in Foxborough. The Kraft Group is the holding company of the Kraft family's many businesses, with interests concentrated in six areas: manufacturing of paper and packaging, international distribution of forest products, sports and entertainment, real estate development, private equity investing and philanthropy.

Kraft also serves on the board of directors for Viacom and is on the executive committee of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he established the Robert K. Kraft Family Blood Donor Center.

He is a trustee emeritus at Columbia as well as a trustee of both Boston College and Carnegie Hall. He has also received honorary degrees from several colleges and universities. In 2012, Kraft became the first NFL owner in the 43-year history of the honor to be selected for the George Halas Award by the Pro Football Writers of America. The award is presented annually to the NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

In 2011, he was inducted into the 231st class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious learned societies. With his induction, he joins the likes of many other Patriots, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Hancock.

In 2006, he was awarded the NCAA's highest honor when he received the Theodore Roosevelt Award, which is presented annually to a distinguished citizen of national reputation with outstanding accomplishments.

“I have such respect and admiration for Carnegie Hall,” said Kraft, “The venue is one of the preeminent concert halls in the world and their board of trustees continues to show great leadership and vision with their wide support of community programs. Their programs are giving people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly children, exposure to the arts and new opportunities to explore their potential as musicians. It is an honor to receive this award and I look forward to a very entertaining night.”

Alongside Kraft’s great achievements in the worlds of business and sports, the Kraft family has been recognized for more than four decades as one of New England's most philanthropic families, donating over $100 million in support of varied causes, including youth and family initiatives, education, and healthcare throughout New England and New York. Most recently, the Kraft family pledged $20 million to Partners HealthCare to launch the Kraft Center for Community Health, an initiative designed to improve access to quality healthcare at community health centers.

While launching in Boston, the program is designed to expand to community health centers nationally. Kraft also recently announced that he and the New England Patriots had raised $617,000—in honor of Boston’s “617” area code—to The One Fund, a central resource established to help those affected by the tragic events at the Boston Marathon.

The June 13 gala includes a cocktail reception and dinner, followed by the award ceremony. A surprise guest artist will perform as part of the evening’s celebratory program. All proceeds from this event benefit Carnegie Hall’s artistic, education, and community programs.

Gala Tables are priced at $100,000, $50,000, and $30,000 and include a table of 10 guests at the Gala Awards Dinner. To reserve gala tables, call the Gala Office at 212-903-9679 or email specialevents@carnegiehall.org.