Please join us for the closing luncheon & conference awards presentation. This year, IACED, ICHHI, IHCDA, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis will be hosting a collaborative awards presentation. We will once again spotlight the outstanding work being done in the community economic development industry. Don't miss the announcement of this year's award winners. We will be awarding the IHCDA Governor's Award for the Affordable Housing Project of the Year, the Federal Home Loan Bank "Community Spirit" Award, the ICHHI Key Award for Program of the Year, and the Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award.
Please click here to download the Award Nomination PDF form.
Award Structure
The Indiana Association for Community Ecnomic Development (IACED), the Indiana Coalition on Housing & Homeless Issues (ICHHI), the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI) would like to encourage our members, supporters, and other stakeholders in the housing and community economic development field to honoe yourselves and your colleagues by submitting a well-documented nomination for these outstanding efforts.
Award Categories
The categories for recognizing individual achievement are the Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award, the Staff Member of the Year Award, and the Community Spirit Award.
In addition, there are two categories on the organizational level: the Housing Development Project of the Year (awards will be given to one urban project and one rural project) and the Housing/CED Development Program of the Year.
Excellence is Truly Rewarded!
Due to the generous support and commitment of our sponsors, each award recipient will receive $1,000 contribution to the organization or to a nonprofit organization of their choice in the case of individual awards. We thank our sponsors for making this possible. The Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award comes with a $2,500 contribution to the nonprofit organization of the winner's choice. All recipients will also be presented with a personalized award plaque or trophy.
Nomination Guidelines
* Complete the official Nomination Form and include attachments.
Carefully prepare the nomination form and make sure all information is complete and that all requested attachments are included.
* Remember to provide complete information for the benefit of the judges!
* Any one may nominate any.
Anyone may submit a nomation in any of the award categories. However, please do not submit the same person or organization for more than one category. If you have question about which category is appropriate for your nominee, please contact our office for guidance.
* Previous winners may be nominated.
Previous award winners are eligible for renomination for any category.
* Tips from Judges in previous years
- A successful nomination narrative will adequately address all criteria of impact, initiative, collaboration and financial soundness/creativity.
- Be sure that your nominee is submitted for the correct category. The organizers reserve the right to re-categorize nominations if it appears that a nomination has not been submitted for the correct category and will suffer as a result.
- For the individual awards (staff Member of the Year, the Community Spirit Award, and the Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award), it is particularly helpful to include resumes and letters of support.
- Please call (317)920-2300 if you have questions or need clarification about putting your nomination together.
Selection Process
Nominations will be judged in the context of positively furthering the community economic development movement in Indiana. The following criteria should be addressed in the nominations:
Impact: Measurable evidence of economic change or action on the community and/or constituents because of the project, program or person.
Initiative: Evidence of creativity and imagination beyond what is typically expected.
Collaboration: Evidence of facilitating, encouraging, or utilizing cooperative efforts among nonprofits, local government, and constituents.
Financial Soundness/Creativity: Where applicable, evidence that sound financial management techniques were utilized.
A panel of judges with expertise in the housing and community economic development fields and representatives of our industries will review the nominations and select the winners. Please note the staff of the organizing agencies do not participate in any part of the judging or selection process.
Winners will be announced on Friday, August 28th, 2008, at a special Awards Luncheon to be held during the 2008 Statewide Conference on Housing & Community Economic Development. The luncheon will take place from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm at the Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.
Award Categories
Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award:
This "centerpiece" award is jointly offered by IACED, ICHHI, and IHCDA and carries with it a $2,500 contribution to the nonprofit organization of the winner's choice.This award recognizes a person in the state who has exhibited exceptional advocacy to further support the community economic development industry. Advocacy activities must be above the normal employment expectations and can include activities over the course of several years or a significant activity that resulted in a positive outcome. Nominees may be nonprofit staff, board members, local/state government, funders, or others in the field.
IACED's Robert O. Zdenek Staff Member of the Year Award:
Recognizes outstanding professional leadership and commitment of a staff person working for a housing or community economic development organization. Nominees may include Executive Directors, housing staff, administrative staff, or any other staff member who embodies the dedication and principles of community economic development as well as innovation and leadership within their own organization. A cash prize of $1,000 is provided in honor of the winner.
ICHHI's Key Award for for Supportive Services Program of the Year:
The ICHHI Key Award for Supportive Services Program of the Year honors excellence and innovation in a service-oriented (non-construction) community development initiative. To be considered for the Key Award, the program should be a leader in the area of service provision and/or volunteerism and provide a unique program model for other organizations within Indiana. In recognition of the Key Award recipient Organization, a $1,000 cash prize is provided for this award.
IHCDA Governor's Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing:
The Governor's Award recognizes organizations that have made an exceptional contribution to affordable housing in Indiana. The award recognizes developments that best provide financing for rental units for those who are traditionally underserved. This includes the preservation of affordable housing units, the construction of affordable units or the conversion of market rate units to low-income units.
Winning entries will demonstrate a commitment to affordable housing as well as innovation and a spirit of cooperation.
Developments or programs must have been occupied, or in operation, prior to January 1, the year of submission, to be eligible. Two awards will be given—one for an urban project, one for a rural project. In recognition of the Governor's Award recipient organizations, a $1,000 cash prize is provided for these awards.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis' Community Spirit Award, sponsored by the FHLBI:
This award will honor an individual in banking who shows outstanding dedication to affordable housing and community economic development. Nominees must be employed by an FHLBI member financial institution and work in a community lending, CRA, or other housing or economic development capacity within the institution. (For a list of members, visit www.fhlbi.com/about/mbrdirsp.asp or contact the community investment department at (317) 465-0371 or housing@fhlbi.com.
Nominee should:
- Initiate relationships with nonprofit organizations or bring tools or skills to organizations that result in strong projects or an enrichment of the nonprofit's services;
- Make a strong economic and/or housing impact and perform their work with contagious enthusiasm;
- Show evidence of creative and innovative approaches to housing and economic development challenges;
- Act as a catalyst to foster partnerships; and provide leadership to housing and economic development
- activities/ organizations in the bank's market area.
A generous travel voucher for anywhere in the continental United States is provided by FHLBI in honor of the winner.
Please click here to download the Award Brochure.