Carnegie Hero Fund

The fund was inspired by Selwyn M. Taylor and Daniel A. Lyle, who gave their lives in rescue attempts following the Harwick Mine disaster in Harwick, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh, on January 25, 1904. The disaster claimed 181, including Taylor and Lyle, who were killed during rescue attempts. Greatly touched by Taylor's and Lyle's sacrifice, Carnegie had medals privately minted for their families, and within two months he wrote the Hero Fund's governing "Deed of Trust", which was adopted by the newly created commission on April 15, 1904.

The Fund is administered by a 21-member volunteer board and a small staff. As of December 2022, a total of 10,340 Carnegie Medals have been awarded since the Fund was established, with the Fund paying $40.5 million in grants, scholarships, death benefits, and other aid. About 11% of nominees received the Carnegie Medal. The Commission’s working definition of a hero as well as its requirements for awarding remain largely those that were approved by the founder. The Fund's website states the criteria: About 90% of those awarded are male, and, over the life of the Fund, roughly one-quarter of awards have been given posthumously.

• Illustration — Dutch medal of the Carnegie Hero Fund. On 21 September 1908, Andrew Carnegie expanded the concept with the establishment of the British Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, based in Dunfermline, Scotland. Within the next three years, the British trust was followed by equivalent foundations in nine other European countries: • The French Fondation Carnegie – founded 23 July 1909 • The German Carnegie Stiftung für Lebensretter – founded in late December 1910. The trust was taken over by the German Nazi government in 1934 and wasn't recreated until 2005. • The Norwegian Carnegie Heltefond for Norge – founded 21 March 1911 • The Dutch Stichting Carnegie Heldenfonds – founded 23 March 1911 • The Swiss Fondation Carnegie pour les Sauveteurs ("The Carnegie Rescuers Foundation") – founded 28 April 1911 • The Belgian Carnegie Hero Fund Commission – founded 13 July 1911 • The Italian Fondazione Carnegie – founded 25 September 1911 • The Swedish Carnegiestiftelsen – founded 6 October 1911 • The Danish Carnegies Belønningsfond for Heltemod – founded 30 December 1911. The Danish trust also covers acts of heroism in Greenland and the Faroe Islands.