Frank McCourt, McCourt Global Executive Chairman and Founder of Project Liberty, to Receive Prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor

McCourt will be recognized for his commitment to fostering ethical technological innovation and civic engagement alongside fellow recipients whose achievements embody the values of patriotism, perseverance, and service to others

NEW YORK, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 10, Frank H. McCourt, Jr., McCourt Global Executive Chairman and Founder of Project Liberty, will be awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The Medals of Honor are presented annually by the Ellis Island Honors Society to a select group of inspiring Americans who are selflessly paving the way for others by advancing the core values upon which the United States was founded. McCourt was selected in recognition of his advocacy for ethical innovation in technology through his founding of Project Liberty, as well as his lifelong dedication to building crucial infrastructure across America and fostering sustainable, community-focused business practices.

Since the inception of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor program in 1986, it has awarded a number of visionary leaders across finance, entertainment, technology, philanthropy and media, among them eight U.S. presidents. This year, McCourt will join several exemplary awardees in accepting this honor, including:

• Christiane Amanpour – CNN Chief International Anchor
• General Mark Milley – Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Lily Sarafan – Chairwoman of the Board, Stanford University Board of Trustees
• Darren Walker – President, Ford Foundation
• Adrien Brody – Oscar Award Winning Actor
• Doug Hertz – Owner, Atlanta Falcons

"I am humbled and honored to be recognized by the Ellis Island Honors Society and to be in the company of this year's outstanding nominees, as well as the distinguished list of honorees that have preceded me," said McCourt. "Five and a half years ago, Project Liberty, the organization I founded to reclaim our personhood in this digital age, was launched on Liberty Island. As the proud descendant of Irish immigrants who fled to America to build better lives, I am a living testament to the American Dream. I will continue to work tirelessly to enable others to attain the freedom and opportunity that are hallmarks of this great Country."

Founded 37 years ago, the Ellis Island Honors Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit, which, in addition to presenting the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, is a humanitarian organization supporting educational opportunities for students with immigrant heritage and preserving the Ellis Island National Monument.

"This evening is a tribute, one that honors perseverance, accomplishment, and service. Tonight, we recognize the remarkable contributions of 85 individuals to the United States and the world," said EIHS Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy. "These honorees, representing a wide range of disciplines, exemplify the extraordinary potential of a nation built on freedom and opportunity. America's rapid progress is a testament to its ability to harness the energy and ingenuity of its people. Nowhere else in history has freedom and individual dignity been more accessible and protected. When people think of the 'Land of the Free,' the United States stands alone."

McCourt's recent work has been focused in large part on Project Liberty, the organization he founded in 2019 to reimagine and rebuild internet technology so that individuals can take back control of their digital lives by reclaiming a voice, choice, and stake in a better internet. The movement aims to replace Big Tech's harmful and exploitive model with an upgraded version that respects and empowers people. 

McCourt and his fellow honorees will receive their medals on May 10, 2025 at a celebratory gala hosted in Ellis Island's historic Great Hall, which served as the gateway for 12 million immigrants to the U.S. McCourt will deliver a speech to fellow awardees and their guests during the ceremony, reflecting on his Irish heritage, his family's values that inspire his work, and the significance of the receiving this honor. Following the event, recipients will be listed in the Congressional Record.

About McCourt Global
McCourt Global (MG) is a private family company focused on building for tomorrow through its work across real estate and infrastructure, sports, and technology and media. Led by founder and Executive Chairman Frank McCourt, a civic entrepreneur and fifth-generation builder, and an international leadership team, MG extends the McCourt family's 132-year legacy of developing infrastructure and merging community and social impact with financial results — an approach that began when the original McCourt company was launched in Boston in 1893.

About Ellis Island Honors Society
The Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) was founded on the conviction that the diversity of the American people is what makes this nation great. EIHS honors the contributions made by immigrants and their descendants throughout American history. We do this by creating scholarships with a focus on immigration, supporting cultural events and programs around the nation, and mobilizing our community of Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients to raise funds for disaster relief worldwide.

SOURCE McCourt Global