Love Thy Neighborhood Awards

LISC Indianapolis created the Love Thy Neighborhood Awards in 2017 to recognize and celebrate the community development game changers in the Indianapolis region that transform their neighborhood into authentic places, profoundly attractive and livable for both residents and visitors. Each year, 12 organizations or projects are recognized as finalists for their role in impacting their neighborhoods in four categories.

We once again partnered with WISH-TV to produce and broadcast a 60-minute on-air special that will celebrate and tell the important stories of our 12 finalists. The winners for each category are announced during the broadcast and receive $2,500 in unrestricted funds. In addition, a $5,000 People's Choice Award is given, determined by viewers through an online voting process following the broadcast.

Livability Award

Recognizes an organization or initiative that provides access to quality health care, local high-quality food access, cultural attractions, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, recreational programs and spaces, and preservation and enhancement of natural spaces.

Past Winners:

2024 Livability Winner: New Hope of Indiana
2023 Livability Winner: Mackida Loveal and Trip
2022 Livability Winner: Lawrence Community Gardens
2021 Livability Winner: Fonseca Theatre Company
2020 Livability Winner: A Rising Tide / Indy Convergence
2019 Livability Winner: Indy Urban Acres
2018 Livability Winner: Come Home Beak Creek
2017 Livability Winner: Woodruff Place Economic Improvement District

Opportunity Award

The Love Thy Neighborhood Opportunity Award recognizes an organization or initiative that provides capital and technical support to bolster community entrepreneurs, supports significant job creation within a neighborhood, or has redeveloped older industrial/commercial areas to meet the location needs of growing regional business sectors.

Past Winners:

2024 Opportunity Winner:
2023 Opportunity Winner: Emprendedoras Latinas en Indiana
2022 Opportunity Winner: Be Nimble Foundation
2021 Opportunity Winner: Cleo's Bodega
2020 Opportunity Winner: GRoE, Inc. / Open Bite Night
2019 Opportunity Winner: The Build Fund
2018 Opportunity Winner: SOURCE River West
2017 Opportunity Winner: Microloan Program, Bankable

Vitality Award

Recognizes an organization, individual, initiative or project that has helped to retain and attract residents to under-populated communities in a way that diversifies household income levels that leads to enhanced density and prosperity of these communities and the city.

Past Winners:

2024 Vitality Winner: Kheprw Institute
2023 Vitality Winner: SEND - Norwood
2022 Vitality Winner: Mapleton Fall Creek CDC
2021 Vitality Winner: Aspire House
2020 Vitality Winner: Parker Place Senior Apartments / Englewood CDC
2019 Vitality Winner: HAND'S Home Place Gardens
2018 Vitality Winner: The Rock Initiative
2017 Vitality Winner: Avondale Meadows

Education Award

Recognizes an organization, individual, initiative or project that has contributed significantly to the enhancement of the learning opportunities in communities. Communities that offer a rich array of educational opportunities to their residents from cradle to career to ensure that all children in these areas will have access to quality schools, and that adults will have opportunities to improve their employment skills.

Past Winners: