The Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) at an event on Tuesday at Mr. J’s Lounge announced the 15 organizations and individuals chosen as this year’s finalists.
The MANDIs partners with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Milwaukee to recognize businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals involved with community development efforts in Milwaukee’s central city.
This year’s winners will be announced at the MANDIs annual gala on March 15 at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino. A volunteer selection committee chose two finalists for each of the six MANDI categories:
- BMO Harris Bank Cornerstone Award: Artists Working in Education Inc. and the City of Milwaukee’s Healthy Neighborhood Initiative Community Improvement Program
- Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award: Fondy Park and Riverwest 24 Hour Bike Race
- Stare Farm Building Blocks Award: Pete’s Fruit Market and the Alexander Lofts
- PNC Bank Trail Blazer Award: Safe & Sound Inc. and Layton Boulevard West Neighbors Neighborhood Block Project
- Chase Economic Development Award: Menomonee Valley Partners and Northwest Side Community Development Corporation
- Northern Trust Navigator Award: Mark Eppli, professor of finance and Bell Chair in Real Estate at Marquette University and Kalan Haywood, president of Haywood Group LLC
Winners of this year’s new Northwestern Mutual Foundation Collaboration Award– honoring two small community-based organization partners– will be announced at the MANDI gala.
The winners of the Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award, selected through a social media campaign allowing the public to vote for the top three MANDI finalists, will also be announced at the March 15 gala.
