The Top 20

Last fall, nearly 5,000 Make It Your Own Awards™ applicants submitted ideas for making a difference in their communities. Earlier this year, our diverse team of reviewers narrowed the pool down to 100 semifinalists, and then the Top 20 finalists, each of whom will receive a $10,000 grant to help turn their ideas into action. The Final Four will each receive an extra $25,000 in support.

Project	Votes
Child/Youth Friendly City Nancy Gilder Denver, CO My dream for my community is that children and youth become our first priority.	2,819
Citizen Participation Keith Twitchell New Orleans, LA My dream for my community is that people have a strong and permanent voice in government.	5,617
Community Conversations Kate McPherson Vancouver, WA My dream for my community is that all citizens will develop a sense of pride and purpose as they partner to help the community.	2,151
Community Vision Project Imre Kepes Pelham, MA My dream is that young people unite their community to create a shared, powerful vision of what they can create together.	2,054
Conversations for Change Lisa Harper New York, NY My dream for my community is that neighbors and police develop trust for each other and partner for change.	2,546
Crossing Borders Nan Kari St. Paul, MN My dream for my community is that we co-create spaces where diverse voices help revitalize our public life and shape our future.	4,180
DCCV Bridget Murphy Menomonie, WI My dream for my community is that people from all backgrounds and ages have a voice in our future.	1,331
Deliberative Democracy Mark Shoul Royalston, MA My dream for my community is that citizens take an active role in creating lasting solutions.	1,451
Five Two Eight O Janna Goodwin Denver, CO My dream for my community is that our stories become alive and immediate, promoting understanding and facilitating change.	2,182
Front Porch Forum Michael Wood-Lewis Burlington, VT My dream for my community is that neighbors get to know each other, get informed, and work together for progress locally.	3,870
In Search of the Commons Jim Barrett Livingston, MT My dream for my community is that everyone will have a voice in decisions that affect our shared landscape.	2,075
Juveniles 4 Justice (J4J) Jessica Feierman Philadelphia, PA My dream for my community is for incarcerated youth to be heard and to help transform the justice system.	5,580
Leaders of the New School Asad Jafri Chicago, IL My dream for my community is that youth will express themselves creatively to share their voice and bring about change.	5,614
Madison SOS Natalia Thompson Madison, WI My dream is to build a city that listens to girls' voices and lets teens know their actions can make a difference.	2,675
Making Health Our Own Susan Sloan Bellingham, WA My dream for my community is that real people come together to create a vision for health and achieve it.	3,484
My School is Your School Dominick Maldonado New Haven, CT My dream for my community is that parents, teachers, and neighbors unite to create welcoming and caring schools.	2,683
Re-Imagining our City Fiona Cheong Pittsburgh, PA My dream for my community is that youth unite neighbors to create a plan for great public spaces.	4,130
Summit for Environmental Action Kate Irwin Sarasota, FL My dream for my community is that citizens from diverse backgrounds unite to build consensus and act on environmental issues.	3,032
UNCommon Council Keith Herring Syracuse, NY My dream for my community is that neighbors unite to discuss issues and form solutions.	1,908
Wilson For The Ages David Criswell Wilson, KS My dream for my community is that civic participation becomes fun for everyone and leads to change.	1,546