Eligibility
- The project/initiative must have been completed between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2009.
- The applicant must be a city, county or similar. The co-applicant must be the primary non-profit partner for the project/initiative being submitted for consideration. The non-profit partner must possess a current 501(c)3 status from the IRS.
- The city/county that is the primary applicant must have a written and public comprehensive sustainability plan.
- The city must be located in the United States of America.
Award Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on how well the projects or initiatives meet the following criteria in three categories:
1. Overarching Sustainability:
- Demonstrates superior strategic thinking about goals and outcomes of the neighborhood project/initiative as it relates to the city’s overall Sustainability Plan
- Demonstrates success in public-private partnership in which leadership is shared
- Quantifies positive impact on livability and economic viability of the community
- Achieves sustained and varied involvement by diverse members of the community
2. Environmental Sustainability:
- Quantifies how the project reduces the environmental footprint of the community
- Reduces waste significantly and demonstrates leadership in recycling practices
- Restores the overall local ecosystem health through remediation measures (i.e. stormwater management, reduction in heat island effect, habitat creation, etc.)
- Demonstrates leadership in the use of emerging green infrastructure know-how and technology
- Utilizes sustainable design and construction practices in the production/preservation of the built environment with a particular focus on affordable housing and resident health
3. Location-Based Sustainability:
- Enhances walk-ability, bicycling and mass transit access for the community
- Serves as a source of ongoing outreach, community-building and education
- Effectively demonstrates the economic, social, health and recreational value of green spaces and trees
- Demonstrates innovative financing and program management that is replicable and instructive
