Calling Iowa Changemakers: The Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award Nominations Are Now Open
11 February 2026, Iowa: Nominations for the Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award are now open through April 15, 2026.
Established in 2013 by the World Food Prize Foundation, the Iowa SHARES Award recognizes an Iowan who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in uplifting their community through dedicated humanitarian service that confronts hunger at home or abroad.
“Governor Ray set a powerful example of leadership and service,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “The Iowa SHARES Award honors Iowans who carry that legacy forward by confronting hunger with courage, persistence and impact. At its core, the Iowa SHARES Award is about people stepping up for one another.”
The 2025 Iowa SHARES Award was presented to Ann McGlynn, founder and executive director of Tapestry Farms in Davenport, Iowa. Through reclaiming underutilized land, Tapestry Farms has grown more than 20,000 pounds of fresh produce, strengthening local food systems and nourishing communities facing food insecurity.
“Some of the most important people in my life are building their lives in Iowa because of Robert Ray’s persistence,” McGlynn said. “Our work at Tapestry Farms seeks to nourish people just as he did. I consider it one of the greatest honors of my life to receive an award named for Governor Ray.”
Past Iowa SHARES winners include:
Jim Blessman (2024), founder of nonprofit Blessman International
R.W. and Mary Nelson (2019), founders of Kemin Industries
Reverend Russ Melby (2015), raised over $12 million to fight hunger in Iowa
Merry Fredrick (2014), former executive director of Self-Help International
Lucille Morgan Wilson (2013), founder of the annual Des Moines Area Hunger Hike
Nominees should have a strong connection to Iowa and will be evaluated based on their impact, leadership, persistence and humanitarian service confronting hunger at home or abroad, all qualities demonstrated by Governor Ray through his work in humanitarian assistance and service. Nominees must be living and in sufficient health to attend and deliver an acceptance speech at the Iowa Hunger Summit on July 22, 2026.
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