The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors has voted to bestow its prestigious Governors Award jointly to American Idol's "Idol Gives Back", it was announced today by Dick Askin, Chairman of the Television Academy.

The award, which salutes an individual, company or organization whose works stand out with the immediacy of current achievement, will be presented at the 2007 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Hal Eisner, Chairman of the Governors Award Nominating Committee, oversaw the selection process.

The Governors Award is the Television Academys highest honor," said Askin. We salute these programs for harnessing the power of television to educate and inform viewers about two very significant issues that touch all of us. With ' Idol Gives Back,' American Idol was able to take their audience and raise their awareness of impoverished children and also delivered millions of dollars to help ease their plight.

"Idol Gives Back" was a star-studded gala and public service campaign that helped raise more than $75 million to benefit relief programs for children and young people in extreme poverty in America and Africa. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Ellen DeGeneres, "Idol Gives Back" gathered the largest group of celebrities, musicians, corporate sponsors and humanitarians to create the most extensive philanthropic effort that any network has ever attempted. The event took place over a two-day period (April 24th and 25th) in two Los Angeles venues (The Walt Disney Concert Hall and the American Idol Stage) and aired on FOX. In addition, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, along with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, visited some of the most impacted areas in the United States and Africa to profile the extreme plight of the poor, homeless and sick children who need help in order to survive. "Idol Gives Back" embraced a unique opportunity to bring the issue of extreme poverty in the U.S. and Africa into the homes of millions of Americans.

Donations are still being accepted, right here on Americanidol.com.