In 1942, on the four hundred fiftieth anniversary of the Americas, a small group of men and women, seeking to advance the cause of unity among the peoples of the Western Hemisphere, formed The Americas Foundation .

Throughout the intervening years The Foundation has supported initiatives which promote interaction and harmony among citizens of the Hemisphere who are very diverse in heritage, race, and social and economic status. Support, in the form of cash grants and sharing of programs expenses, has been extended primarily to organizations in education, the media, and institutional development.

At each convocation since 1944 The Americas Foundation has presented its Americas Award to an outstanding individual committed to the ideals of reason, understanding, and humanity within the Americas.