Foundations for Families

Community Impact Award

We are excited to launch the Community Impact Award to recognize organizations that have made innovative, impactful, and sustainable contributions to their local community in the areas of workforce development, childcare, and/or housing stabilization.

recognizing organizations

In 2026, Foundations for Families launched the Community Impact Award to recognize organizations that have made innovative, impactful, and sustainable contributions to their local community in one of the following areas: workforce development, childcare, and/or housing stabilization.

The nominating process was open to any public or private entity that identified a need in their community and developed and implemented innovative solutions to address that need. Individuals were not eligible for participation.

Award Criteria

  • Responsiveness and Innovation: The recipient has identified a need in the community related to workforce development, childcare, and/or housing stabilization and implemented innovative strategies to address that need.

  • Impact: The recipient has demonstrated excellence in its ability to implement innovative practices that resulted in a measurable, positive impact for the local community.

  • Sustainability: The recipient has identified strategies to ensure the sustainability of the community impact.

The 2026 Award winner was announced the week of April 6th during National Community Development Week. The winner receives a plaque and a $2,500 monetary award to support their ongoing work. They will also be featured in the FFF Talking Points Blog.

Questions?

For additional information about the Community Impact Award, please email: award@foundationsforfamilies.com

Award winners

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination!

  • Winner: Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation, Grand Rapids, Michigan

    The Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation was selected as the recipient of the Community Impact Award for their work as part of the “100 in 100” initiative in Kent County, Michigan. Taking bold steps to help end chronic homelessness in Kent County, the Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation was part of a collaborative of partners and organizations with a shared purpose. As a foundation, the organization was uniquely positioned with a flexible funding strategy to help remove barriers and support positive outcomes. Read more about the 2026 Community Impact Award Winner in our blog.

    Runner Up: Gilbert Chamber Foundation, Gilbert, Arizona

    The Gilbert Chamber Foundation was selected as the 2026 Runner Up for their work to address workforce challenges by creating the Student Entrepreneurs Academy (SEA). SEA introduces 6th-12th grade students, many of whom are from underrepresented or first generation backgrounds, to real world workforce competencies through an innovative, experiential learning model.