LISC OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

LISC OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Honoring the Visionaries and Community-Driven Initiatives Enriching Chicago Neighborhoods

CHICAGO — Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has announced that applications are open for the 2025 Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (CNDAs) and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design. Applications are due by Dec. 20. Now in its 31st year, the CNDAs celebrate both nonprofit and for-profit developers, as well as architectural innovation, that contribute to the vibrancy of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Recognized as one of the city’s premier acknowledgment and celebration of community impact, the CNDAs honor outstanding achievements in community building and real estate development. The awards emphasize the work of community development corporations, neighborhood-based organizations, and developers committed to elevating Chicago’s communities.

In partnership with LISC, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation presents two awards at CNDA spotlighting architectural projects that positively shape the visual, social, and cultural landscape of neighborhoods and emerging and diverse architects working on Chicago neighborhood development projects.

"The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards highlight the transformative power of community development plays in shaping the future of our city,” said Meghan Harte, Senior Executive Director of LISC Illinois. “These awards celebrate projects that have redefined neighborhoods as inclusive spaces for everyone. We invite applicants who are committed to creating sustainable, equitable communities to share their stories and achievements.”

Award Categories for 2025:

● The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Creative Places Award

● The Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Plan Award

● The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Healthy Community Award

● The Outstanding Non-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project Award

● The Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award

● The Outstanding For-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project Award

● The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design

● The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Community Design Impact Award

The CNDA selection process includes volunteer judges representing both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors who are engaged in community development. Judges evaluate each applicant on three primary aspects of the organization or project: building process or organizational effectiveness, community impact and project or organizational challenges.

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Architectural Excellence in Community Design includes a jury of esteemed leaders from Chicago's architectural and civic community to determine the winning projects.

Explore past winners of the CNDAs and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards here https://map.lisc-cnda.org/.

Applications are due by December 20, 2024, and must be submitted online. For detailed information on project eligibility and submission guidelines, visit https://app.lisc-cnda.org/.

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