As a founding board member and supporter of our organization, throughout its entire existence, the Greek America Foundation is proud to launch an annual prize, championing the spirit and preserving the legacy of Olympia Dukakis in perpetuity.
After a long life and illustrious career on stage and screen, Olympia Dukakis passed away on May 1, 2021.
Called a “force of nature” by some and a “national treasure” by most, Olympia cared deeply about our work, particularly our support of young people and creative approach to sharing our heritage with the world.
“These are the Oscars with a soul,” she famously said at the 2011 Gabby Awards at Ellis Island in New York City, one of the many Foundation events she attended throughout the nation.
In 2013, in a humble expression of our appreciation for all that she has given the organization and the world, the Greek America Foundation sponsored her nomination and the cost for her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The unveiling of her Star took place during our Gabby Awards weekend in Los Angeles in June 2013.
As a true embodiment of her spirit, we will inaugurate an annual grant that will be awarded to a female-led project in the creative arts— particularly in theater or film. The prize will be awarded annually on June 20, the anniversary of Olympia’s birth. Details of the competition will be forthcoming on our website.
After fundraising is complete, we anticipate the first prize to be awarded in 2022.
Our goal is to endow $125,000 to fund the Olympia Dukakis Prize to be awarded annually and in perpetuity in the amount of $5,000.
Upon completion of fundraising, a jury will be selected by the Greek America Foundation’s board of directors who will oversee the competition. This jury will rotate every three years.
The fund will be established within the existing endowment fund of the Greek America Foundation, a 501c3 public charity which is regulated by the State of New York and the Internal Revenue Service. The Greek America Foundation has a platinum rating from Guidestar, the nation’s leading charity watchdog.
Make a contribution today to the endowed Olympia Dukakis Prize and add your name to our list of generous donors.