The Cunningham-Limp Community Builder Award recognizes leaders in Northwest Michigan who have built, enhanced, or thoughtfully reimagined spaces that strengthen the community. The 2026 recipient will receive $2,500 to direct to a nonprofit of their choice, and finalists will each receive $500, with all honorees celebrated on July 30, 2026.
Any individual may nominate a candidate, including themselves, for this award. Nominees will then be contacted with the application criteria.
Nomination Deadline is 11:59 PM on June 22, 2026.
Upon receiving a nomination, nominees will receive an application to complete the process. Candidates should articulate, in up to 300 words, the impactful role the candidate has had on the community through a built environment. The nominee must also present a supporting endorsement from a local leader/executive who can speak to the impact of the individual/organization’s nomination. Judges will consider the story behind this organization or individual.
The application process adheres to the following guiding principles:
All incoming nominations will be presented to a panel of judges with a straightforward scoring rubric. Emphasis will be placed on how the nomination utilizes both qualitative and quantitative evidence to illustrate how the nominees align with the award criteria and provide tangible and impressive outcomes, serving as a potential blueprint for others.
