LISC ANNOUNCES OPENING OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

LISC ANNOUNCES OPENING OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

The Awards Recognize the People and Projects Who Enhance the Vitality of Chicago’s Neighborhoods

CHICAGO — Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (CNDAs) and The Richard Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design. Applications are being accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Now in its 32nd year, the CNDAs stand as Chicago’s most prestigious celebration of community development and design, honoring community development corporations (CDCs), nonprofit and for-profit developers, architects, and neighborhood–based organizations whose projects strengthen local economies, create lasting spaces, and enrich the fabric of Chicago communities.

“The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards highlight the vision and collaboration shaping stronger neighborhoods across our city,” said Meghan Harte, Senior Executive Director of LISC. “We look forward to celebrating applicants who are building projects that make a lasting difference for Chicago communities.”

In partnership with LISC, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation presents the Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design and the Community Impact Award, which recognize outstanding architectural and landscape design as well as the work of an emerging architect advancing neighborhood development in Chicago.

CNDA Award Categories for 2026:

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

● The Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Development Collaboration Award

● The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Healthy Community Award

● The Outstanding Non-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project

● The Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award

● The Outstanding For-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project Award

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards:

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

● Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Community Impact Award

CNDA Awards selections are made by teams of volunteer judges representing both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Judges evaluate each applicant based on three aspects of the organization or project: building process or organizational effectiveness, project or organizational challenge, and community impact.

Selections for The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design are made by a jury of esteemed leaders from Chicago’s architectural and civic community. For The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Community Impact Award, qualified nominees will be contacted to provide additional information for possible selection.

Since its inception, the CNDAs have celebrated hundreds of projects that expand housing opportunities, bring new vitality to commercial corridors, and showcase architectural excellence across Chicago. Learn more about past winners here.

Applications must be submitted online by November 19, 2025. Full eligibility requirements and submission guidelines are available at https://map.lisc-cnda.org/

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America—great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1979, LISC has invested $1.54 billion in Illinois to build or rehab 36,700 affordable homes and apartments and develop 5.8 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. For more information, please visit lisc.org/chicago.





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