The Steve Nash Foundation sets standard for excellence in sports philanthropy

For his charitable work through The Steve Nash Foundation, Phoenix Suns superstar Steve Nash was named to the 2006 Time 100 – The People Who Shape Our World list. Former NBA great Charles Barkley penned a nice tribute of Steve for Time.

The private family foundation, founded in 2001 and dedicated to assisting underserved children in Arizona, British Columbia, Paraguay and Uganda in their health, personal development, education and enjoyment of life, continues to receive deserved accolades for its work.

In celebration of the many ways that sports improve people’s lives and strengthen communities, The Sports Philanthropy Project and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation most recently awarded it the prestigious 2008 Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy for its leadership in sports to create positive change in the lives of others.

In the process, The Steve Nash Foundation’s Executive Director Jenny Miller was recognized for her unquestioned “dedication to meaningful social change through her work” and called “a model of a forward-thinking leader in the field.”

What many Alaskans may not know is that Jenny Miller and her family reside in Anchorage and she runs the Foundation from here.

Said Jenny, “We’re very honored by the Steve Patterson Award, and really humbled to be recognized by others with such commitment to community. I’m fortunate that my work is with people who are a constant source of inspiration in a very real you-can-be-doing-more way. So it’s wonderful to be honored, but also to be challenged like that to keep improving.”

Founder Steve Nash said “It is an honor to receive this type of recognition for the work that I care about so deeply. Steve Patterson is the kind of person that always sought out to improve the lives and well being of others and to be awarded in his name is truly an honor. I am humbled by the acknowledgement of our work in the global community. This is just the beginning and we look forward to continuing these efforts and building on the foundation we have established.”

Thanks to The Steve Nash Foundation for your leadership and congratulations on the much deserved recognition!