The Poetry Foundation, based in Chicago, revealed its latest honors on Wednesday. Former U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky was selected for the prestigious Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, which carries a $100,000 cash award. Pinsky, who served as poet laureate from 1997 to 2000, is celebrated for his poetry, translations, and public appearances, including occasional collaborations with fellow New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen.

Nikki Grimes Named Young People’s Poet Laureate

In the same announcement, the Foundation named bestselling author and poet Nikki Grimes as the next Young People’s Poet Laureate. The two‑year position includes a $25,000 stipend and additional funding for a project that promotes poetry to young readers, families, teachers, and librarians. Grimes is known for titles such as “Bronx Masquerade” and “Jazmin’s Notebook,” and has earned numerous literary honors throughout her career.

Additional Pegasus Awards Recognize Service and Criticism

The ceremony also honored poet‑journalist‑activist Luis Javier Rodriguez with the $25,000 Pegasus Award for Service in Poetry, recognizing his lifelong contributions to the art form. Poet‑critic Jason Schneiderman received the $10,000 Pegasus Award for Poetry Criticism for his essay collection “Nothingism: Poetry at the End of Print Culture.”

Meg Day was awarded the inaugural Pegasus Poetry Book Prize, a $10,000 grant for an unpublished first or second poetry collection by a U.S. poet aged 40 or older. Day’s manuscript, “Sound Lasso,” will be published by Graywolf Press.

Founded in 2003 with a multimillion‑dollar gift from philanthropist Ruth Lilly, the Poetry Foundation continues to support poets, scholars, and educators through awards, publications, and public programs. The recent honors highlight the organization’s commitment to both established literary figures and emerging voices that inspire the next generation of readers.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.