What are the LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards?
The LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards were created to encourage the transformation of neighborhoods throughout the Indy region into authentic and vibrant places profoundly attractive and livable for both residents and visitors. This is being accomplished through an annual event that will recognize the people and places in the Indy region that have made outstanding progress in developing their neighborhoods as livable places. The LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards ceremony will highlight a variety of community work with video profiles of each finalist. The LOVE Thy Neighborhood Awards is hosted by LISC Indianapolis.
Three finalists* are selected in each award category and announced prior to the event. The winner in each category is announced at the LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Ceremony and will receive $2,500. In addition, a people’s choice award will be given determined by voting of attendees at the event and will be awarded $5,000.
Who or what is eligible?
All individuals, organizations, and projects seeking nomination must be located or operate a program or project in the Indianapolis or one of the eight contiguous counties to Marion County. This year we are soliciting nominations in 4 award categories with projects that were completed prior to January 31, 2024.
All nominations must be received via the nomination application site by midnight, April 21, 2024.
Who can nominate?
Individuals, nonprofits, corporations, and projects can be nominated by a third party or self-nominate. Nominators are strongly encouraged to work with the nominee or self-nominate to ensure that the application is the best representation of current and past work.
How are the finalists selected?
The finalist selection is a two-part process:
1. Nomination review
All nominations are reviewed by an independent LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Review Committee based on the criteria. The LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Review Committee is a volunteer committee comprising representatives from community development that include: financial institutions, foundations, real estate development, for-profit organizations, education facilities, the arts, media outlets and County and City government.
Nominations that receive a score higher than the threshold determined by the LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Review Committee will move on to the Finalist Selection round.
All nominations NOT selected to advance to the Finalist Selection round will be notified by LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Selection Staff.
2. Finalist selection
Nominations that pass the nomination review round are reviewed by an independent LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Committee Jury based on the criteria. The LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Committee Jury is a second volunteer committee comprising representatives from community development.
Three (3) finalists* in each award category will be selected by the LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Committee Jury in each category. Nominations that are selected to be finalists* will be notified by the LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Committee Staff.
In early May, LISC Indianapolis will contact each finalist to schedule the filming of their video with the film company.
How are the winners selected?
One winner among the finalists in each category will be selected by the LOVE thy Neighborhood Awards Committee after all site visits are completed. Winners will be announced at the event this fall, date TBD.
How are the finalists and winners promoted?
Each finalist* is highlighted in an approximate two-minute video aired during the awards ceremony. These video profiles are posted on YouTube and website after the event, and given to finalists for their own usage. We hope that local media typically cover the event and publish the names of finalists and winners.
*Important information regarding finalist selection: All finalists are required to participate in an in person interview and site visit scheduled in early February and provide material that will be used to produce the two-minute video. LOVE Committee Staff will send preparation materials, scheduling options, etc. about site visits in advance of visits.
Questions?
Please email Megan Bulla at mbulla@lisc.org or call LISC Indianapolis at 317-671-5055.
