Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards

The Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards were established in 1979 by the Playboy Foundation to honor individuals who have made significant contributions in the vital effort to protect and enhance First Amendment rights for Americans. Since the inception of the awards, more than 100 individuals including high school students, lawyers, journalists and educators have been honored.

Nominees have traditionally come from the areas of journalism, arts and entertainment, education, publishing, law and government, and winners are selected by a panel of distinguished judges. An annual ceremony is held to honor the winners and to present them with a cash award of $10,000 and a commemorative plaque.

Beginning in 2008 the awards program was expanded to include a new award that will help seed the work of an individual involved in a significant First Amendment program or project. The new award was named the Freedom of Expression Award. 

Freedom of Expression Award

The $25,000 cash award will be made to a nominee who has a project or program dedicated to defending, advocating, or supporting the First Amendment through their personal or professional pursuits.  In addition, a successful nominee should demonstrate a promising future as a First Amendment advocate based on their history of accomplishment and the potential for the award to facilitate additional work.  Emphasis will be placed on nominees who would benefit from having financing to relieve inhibitions or burdens of pursing the First Amendment ideals of their project or program.  

Nominations are accepted via email by filling out the form below or a nomination form can be downloaded in PDF format and mailed to Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards, 680 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611

Nomination form (email)

A complete list of winners and judges can be found here.