HUD Announces Secretary's Award to 10 Community Foundations
HUD and Council on Foundations honor work of grassroots philanthropic organizations
In countless neighborhoods across the country, hundreds of community foundations are improving the lives of residents and the places where they live. These philanthropic organizations often work without much recognition—until now. Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in partnership with the Council on Foundations, announced the first winners of a new awards program to recognize community foundations for the excellent work they do along with their public partners in the areas of housing and community development.
The new HUD Secretary’s Award for Community Foundations honors community foundations that work closely with the public sector on projects involving housing and neighborhood improvements, education, health and recreation, transportation, community participation, arts and culture, public safety, sustainability, and economic development.
“From offering free dental care to public school students in Oregon to turning foreclosed homes into affordable housing in Boston, the organizations we honor today are redefining what it means to give back,” said HUD Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones, who delivered the awards in New Orleans. “On behalf of HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan I congratulate these foundations on creating positive change by bringing together public and private partners to find lasting solutions to the issues facing our diverse communities.”
“The 10 awardees, and all our community foundation members, represent lives improved, neighborhoods saved, jobs created, people trained, kids educated, and homes built,” said Vikki N. Spruill, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. “Philanthropy is hard at work investing in America’s communities, addressing challenges head on, and innovating for a better future.”
A jury selected one community foundation from each of HUD’s 10 regions. Awards were given to community foundations for completed or ongoing initiatives that are executed in partnership with a local, regional, or federal government agency. The winners are:
|
Winner |
Location |
Project |
HUD Region |
|
Boston, Massachusetts |
Neighborhood Stabilization Loan Fund |
HUD Region I |
|
|
Buffalo, New York |
Green and Healthy Homes Initiative Buffalo |
HUD Region II |
|
|
Norfolk, Virginia |
Ending Homelessness in Norfolk, Va. |
HUD Region III |
|
|
Nashville, Tennessee |
The Metro Nashville Disaster Response Fund |
HUD Region IV |
|
|
Cleveland, Ohio |
The Evergreen Cooperative Initiative |
HUD Region V |
|
|
New Orleans, Louisiana |
Neighborhood Stabilization Loan Fund |
HUD Region VI |
|
|
Lincoln, Nebraska |
Lincoln Community Learning Centers |
HUD Region VII |
|
|
Telluride, Colorado |
Paradox Community Trust |
HUD Region VIII |
|
|
San Diego, California |
The San Diego Foundation's Climate Inititative |
HUD Region IX |
|
|
Portland, Oregon |
Ready to Smile |
HUD Region X |
Read more about the winners and the new HUD Secretary’s Award for Community Foundations.
Press Contact:
HUD No. 12-144
Elena Gaona
(202) 708-0685
