Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s Milwaukee branch is making a final call for nominations for its 2015 MANDI Awards, which honor individuals, organizations and community projects improving central city neighborhoods.
Award nominations are due Monday, Oct. 27, by 5 p.m.
LISC Milwaukee has been presenting the MANDI Awards (Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation) for the last 16 years as a way to highlight significant revitalization efforts across Milwaukee neighborhoods.
The nonprofit organization, an extension of a national operation, is focused on redeveloping urban neighborhoods and enhancing the vitality of their residential and business districts.
MANDI Awards, which LISC presents in partnership with U.S. Bank, accepts nominations for five award categories:
*The Northern Trust Navigator Award, which salutes an individual for excellence in leadership and collaboration
*The Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award, which calls out a public space that re-energizes a neighborhood
*The PNC Trailblazer Award, which recognizes an innovative strategy to a community issue
*The State Farm Building Blocks Award, which praises a real estate project that adds value to the community
*The BMO Harris Bank Cornerstone Award, which highlights an organization effectively impacting the city
An independent committee will select three finalists for each award and will announce award winners during an April 15 ceremony at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Each MANDI award winner will be given a $1,000 gift to keep or donate.
A separate MANDI Award, the Vision Award, recognizes sustainable financial investment in central city neighborhoods. LISC’s local advisory board handles nomination and selection of the award recipient.
LISC plans to introduce yet another award for the 2015 MANDI program. The Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award will be given to one finalist from the pool of finalists selected by the independent committee. The award winner will be determined through a community voting process facilitated by a social media campaign.
To submit a nomination or a self-nomination for the MANDI Awards, visit www.mandiawards.org.
