The awards are presented to "individuals and businesses who give of their time, talent and resources to support New York City's not-for-profit theatres." Among those honored was Ron Lasko, the downtown theatre publicist whose clients include P.S. 122 and the New York International Fringe Festival. In the mid-90s, Lasko founded the public relations outfit Spin Cycle, which quickly became the representative of dozens of Off-Off-Broadway theatre companies and artists.

Also honored was Jean-Claude Baker, the owner of Chez Josephine, the French restaurant on 42nd Street between Ninth and Tenth avenues. Baker is one of the children of famed performer Josephine Baker, who lends her name to the eatery. The restaurant is frequented by theatre people who work at Playwrights Horizons and the Theatre Row theatres.

Also given awards were: Ellen Barrett, comptroller, China Club; Norman Brodsky, owner, CitiStorage; Paul Felleti, owner, Montague Street Bagels; Ron Glassman, photographer, RLG Media; Selma Jackson, owner, 4W Circle of Art and Enterprise; Dan Kobin, owner/executive chef, Dane Restaurant; Dan Marselle, senior vice-president/managing director, Blue Star; Sr. Alfredo Mateos, Instituto Cervantes; Anita Marlene Merk, senior designer, Flyleaf; Bob Precious, owner, The Ginger Man and Under the Volcano; Jay Reiner, CPA; Tom Ritchford, web host; Rowena Saunders, managing director of Chapters nad Service Centers for the American Red Cross of Greater New York; Harris Skibell, web designer, product d; Rafael Weil, graphic designer.