Join the Newberry in honoring Jonathan Franzen for his outstanding contributions to the humanities.
The Newberry Library Award is presented annually to recognize extraordinary achievements in the humanities, honoring work that exemplifies the intellectual tradition the Newberry has cultivated since its founding in 1887. This annual award celebrates those who foster curiosity, creativity and public understanding of the humanities. Past recipients reflect the award's breadth and influence, including: filmmaker and institution builder Henry Louis Gates, Jr; filmmaker Ken Burns; Ira Glass and This American Life; Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; and Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress.
The Newberry Library is thrilled to honor Jonathan Franzen with the 2026 Newberry Library Award, recognizing his profound and lasting cultural impact. Award-winning contemporary author Jonathan Franzen has made instrumental contributions to literature. His work, distinguished by monumental novels such as The Corrections, Freedom, and Crossroads, along with compelling nonfiction, has set the standard for serious contemporary writing. It urges a deep examination of the complexities surrounding family, society, and the American experience. His commitment to engaging with the crises of our time through his writing makes him a truly deserving honoree in the tradition of the Newberry.
A Celebration of the Humanities: Plan Your Evening
5:00 PM | Enjoy Cocktails and Conversation
6:30 PM | Award Presentation and Program: The formal presentation of the Newberry Library Award, followed by an intimate conversation with honoree Jonathan Franzen.
Dinner to Follow: Guests are invited to stay for a seated dinner immediately following the program.
We have secured a special discounted block rate for our guests at The Drake Hotel. To book your room, please click here by March 6, 2026.
Award Celebration Presenting Sponsor: $50,000
Premier logo recognition in all advertising and promotional materials, including:
- Event invitation
- Event website
- Event program
- Press release
Recognition as Award Dinner Presenting Sponsor in the Newberry Magazine
Tickets for 20+ guests for the Award presentation program
Invitation for 10+ guests to a Behind-the-Scenes Tour at the Newberry
Recognition as a sponsor in the Newberry’s Annual Report
Award Celebration Sponsor: $25,000
Logo recognition in the Award Celebration program and event website
Tickets for 10+ guests for the Award presentation program
Invitation for 10+ guests to a Behind-the-Scenes Tour at the Newberry
Recognition as a sponsor in the Newberry’s Annual Report
Award Celebration Benefactor: $10,000
Tickets for 10 guests for the Award presentation program
Text recognition in the Award Dinner invitation and program
Recognition in the Newberry’s Annual Report
Next Chapter Sponsor: $5,000
Tickets for 5 guests for the Award presentation program
Text recognition in the Award Dinner program
Recognition in the Newberry’s Annual Report
Year-Round Benefits:
In addition to the event-specific benefits, sponsorship also includes year-round benefits as a member of the Newberry’s Pargellis Society for corporate benefactors. Introduced in 2015, the Pargellis Society honors the Newberry’s fifth president, Stanley Pargellis, and his belief that corporations can and should play a vital role in civic life. Benefits include:
- Opportunity for private tours of the Newberry with the President and Librarian
- Opportunity to use an image from the Newberry’s permanent collection for holiday card or event invitation
- Opportunity to participate in the “Library at Lunch” program, where Library staff visit your company to present on the Newberry
- Year-round 20% discount at the Rosenberg Bookshop for all company employees
- Link to sponsor’s website on newberry.org
- Invitations to Newberry events,
- Recognition on the Newberry website and in the Annual Report as part of the Honor Roll of Donors
- Recognition on donor plaques located in the lobby of the Newberry Library
Purchase Tickets
All purchases include tickets to the program and dinner. Table purchasers will be recognized on Newberry donor plaques; Sponsor table purchasers receive priority seating during the program and dinner.
The estimated fair market value of benefits provided is $125 per person.
Jonathan Franzen is an award-winning American novelist and essayist. Although he had already published two novels and was widely known for his critical nonfiction, his status in contemporary literature was cemented with his 2001 novel, The Corrections. This book became a global bestseller, was translated into 40 languages, and received the National Book Award for fiction. Its success was accompanied by substantial public attention, including a notable controversy regarding its selection by Oprah's Book Club. This period marked Franzen's transition to a writer whose work commanded immediate cultural authority.
Franzen solidified his position as a major author with subsequent novels, including Freedom (2010), which debuted at #1 on bestseller lists and was widely viewed as a major work of American fiction, later with Purity (2015), and the first volume of his current trilogy, Crossroads, a national bestseller named a "Best Book of the Year" by numerous outlets. Beyond his six novels, Franzen is a prominent figure in nonfiction, penning essays and memoirs including The Discomfort Zone, and often sparking debate with his commentary on political and environmental issues. He has received several major honors, including election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Franzen's upbringing in the Midwest serves as the geographical foundation for much of his fiction's setting and thematic concerns.
For more information about the event, please contact Claire Broadhead, VP of Development, at broadheadc@newberry.org or (312) 255-3687.