26th Annual
MANDI Awards
August 14, 2025
Save the Date! The 26th Annual MANDI Awards, presented by U.S. Bank and hosted by LISC Milwaukee, are happening on August 14, 2025, at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino—and you won’t want to miss it!
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Relive the Magic! All of last year’s photos, videos, and the full live broadcast are now available in the MANDI Gallery—check them out!
Aug 14, 2025, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM CDTPotawatomi Hotel & Casino - Event Center, 1721 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USAIt’s Official! The 26th Annual MANDI Awards are returning to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino on August 14, 2025. Presented by U.S. Bank and hosted in partnership with LISC Milwaukee, the MANDIs continue to honor the incredible work happening in our communities.
AWARDS
CATEGORIES
Click on any award category to learn more
Presented by U.S. Bank, in partnership with LISC Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (known as the MANDIs) recognize excellence in community development.
2024 is the MANDIs 25th year and we are so looking forward to making this our biggest year yet!
Finalists and winners are selected by an independent, cross-sector volunteer selection committee. The committee reviews nominations and selects two finalists in each of seven categories.
The categories include The BMO Cornerstone Award, Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award, Husch Blackwell Building Blocks Award, Associated Bank Trailblazer Award, JP Morgan Chase Economic Development Award, Advancing A Healthier Wisconsin Endowment Community Health Award, The Navigator Award, and the Wells Fargo People's Choice Award.
Nominations for the 2024 MANDI Awards will be open from March 18th - April 18th, 2024 right here on www.mandiawards.com
The 2024 MANDI Application window is now closed!
If you are interested in serving on the MANDI Awards selection committee, please complete the form here. Questions about the selection committee can be directed to Dionne Grayson directly via email.
The 2024 MANDI Awards Event will be held at The Baird Center on August 15th, 2024.
Corporate and non-profit table sponsorships are still available.
The MANDI'S are sponsored by U.S. Bank, in partnership with LISC Milwaukee.
About
Your questions, answered
FAQ
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What are the MANDIs?The Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) pay tribute to the people and organizations working tirelessly to make the city of Milwaukee a great place to live, learn, work and grow. The MANDIs were introduced by LISC Milwaukee in 1999 to acknowledge and promote the accomplishments of the community development industry in the city of Milwaukee. The MANDI ceremony highlights a variety of community work with video profiles of each MANDI finalist. Two (2) finalists* are selected in each award category and announced prior to the event. The winner in each category will be announced live at the MANDI's on August 14th, 2025. Take a look at our 25th Annual MANDI Awards Below!
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Who or what is eligible?The 26th MANDI Awards celebrate outstanding individuals, organizations, and projects that make Milwaukee a fantastic place to live, learn, and work. To be eligible for nomination, all candidates must fulfill specific criteria. Firstly, they must be located in or operate a program/project within the city of Milwaukee. Additionally, their work should directly benefit low to moderate-income neighborhoods within Milwaukee. Whether you're a former MANDI finalist or nominee, you are still eligible to apply. Each nomination must adhere to these guidelines, ensuring that the MANDI Awards continue to honor those who significantly contribute to the betterment of Milwaukee’s community. We are thrilled you want to recognize the incredible individuals and organizations contributing to the vibrancy of Milwaukee! Nominations for the 26th MANDI Awards will open on March 24, 2025, and close at 5:00 p.m. on April 17, 2025. Please ensure that all nominations are submitted exclusively through our nomination website by the deadline, as we cannot accept nominations that are hand-delivered, mailed, or emailed. Visit our website and follow the easy steps on the nomination portal to ensure your nominee gets the recognition they deserve. Thank you for participating in celebrating Milwaukee's finest!
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Who can nominate?Nominating someone for the 26th MANDI Awards is a fantastic way to recognize the incredible work being done in Milwaukee to make it an amazing place to live, learn, and work! Individuals, nonprofits, corporations, and projects are all eligible to be nominated. You have the option to either self-nominate or nominate someone else. We strongly encourage nominators to collaborate closely with their nominees to ensure that the application is a true and comprehensive reflection of the nominee's current and past work. To submit a nomination, visit our website, fill out the nomination form, and provide all the required documentation. Your thoughtful nominations help us celebrate the unsung heroes of our community!
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How are the finalists selected?The finalist selection is a two-part process: 1. All nominations are reviewed by an independent MANDI Review Committee based on the criteria. The MANDI Review Committee is a volunteer committee comprised of representatives from community development that include: financial institutions, foundations, real estate development, for-profit organizations, education facilities, the arts, media outlets and County and City government. Nominations that receive a score higher than the threshold determined by the MANDI Review Committee will move on to the Finalist Selection round. 2. Nominations that pass the Nomination Review round are reviewed by an independent MANDI Jury based on the criteria. The MANDI Jury is a second volunteer committee comprised of representatives from community development. Two (2) finalists* in each award category will be selected by the MANDI Jury in each category. In May 2025, finalists will be contacted to schedule a virtual site visit by the MANDI Jury during the week of June 23, 2025. Take a look at last year's finalist announcement below ...and from 2023 too!
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How are the finalists and winners selected?One winner among the finalists in each category will be selected by the MANDI Jury after all site visits are completed. Winners will be announced at the MANDI ceremony on Thursday, August 14th, 2025 at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino.
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How are the finalists and winners promoted?Each finalist is highlighted in a two-minute video aired during the awards ceremony. These video profiles are posted on YouTube and www.lisc.org/milwaukee after the event, and given to finalists for their own usage. Local media typically cover the event and publish the names of finalists and winners. *Important information regarding finalist selection: All finalists are required to participate in an in-person interview and site visit the week of June 23, 2025 and provide material that will be used to produce the two minute video. MANDI Selection Staff will send preparation materials, scheduling options, etc. about site visits in advance of visits.
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What do finalists receive?Each finalist receives a professionally produced two-minute video highlighting their work, and a personalized award plaque.
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What do winners receive?In addition to the benefits received by all finalists, winners receive a $1,000 contribution to keep or donate as they wish. Winners will also be asked to make 1 minute of remarks at event after their award is announced.
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Nomination & Finalist Questions?Please email dionne@buildingyourdreamsllc.com
