2026 Neighborhood Conference Awards

2026 Inspire Conference Award Nomination Form (Deadline: 06/30/26)

Thank you for your interest in submitting a nomination for an honoree of our 2025 Inspire Awards Dinner- the City of Fort Wayne's annual celebration of neighborhood associations, their leaders, and the great work they do for our community.

Helpful Tips & Things to Keep in Mind
Goal:Please keep in mind that Inspire Awards were primarily created to recognize and celebrate the City of Fort Wayne's grassroots and neighborhood association leaders. In your nomination, it will be important to let us know how the person or association you're nominating has served one or more neighborhoods in the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Nomination Types & Categories:Nominations are being accepted in 6 total categories, 3 for Neighborhood Associations of the Year and 3 for Neighborhood Leaders of the year.
- Neighborhood Association of the Year Categories include:
  1. Innovative Neighborhood Initiatives
  2. Placemaking, Beautification & Public Space Improvements
  3. Association Partnerships & Teamwork
- Neighborhood Leader of the Year Categories include:
  1. Inspiring Neighborhood Leader
  2. Helping Hand
  3. Rising Star (leaders under the age of 25)
Questions & Brainstorming:If you have any ideas for a nomination- or questions about the application-our team is happy to help! Please reach out to us by calling or emailing Réna Bradley at 260-427-2284 or rena.bradley@cityoffofortwayne.org.

Scoring & Selection: Each nominee is scored by a committee. (The maximum number of points that can be given for each response is indicated in the online form.) Minimum scoring thresholds must be met for a nominee to receive an award).

Nominator Contact Information

Please use the space below to let us know who you are. (We'll provide space later on for you to let us know which person or neighborhood you are nominating.)
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.

Neighborhood Associations of the Year Awards!

“Neighborhood of the Year” Awards are granted to outstanding neighborhoods in our community! You can nominate a Fort Wayne Neighborhood for outstanding performance in one or more of the following three categories 1) Innovative Neighborhood Initiatives, 2) Placemaking, Beautification & Public Space Improvements, and 3) Association Partnerships & Teamwork. Check the appropriate box to see a description of each award category- or select "I'm not nominating a neighborhood" to skip to the Individual Nominations page. (You can nominate a neighborhood in as few as one- or as many as all three- categories!)
Which award(s) are you nominating a neighborhood for?*

Innovative Neighborhood InitiativesPlacemaking, Beautification & Public Space ImprovementsAssociation Partnerships & TeamworkI'm not nominating a neighborhood (skip to "Individual Nominations" by hitting next)
Innovative Neighborhood Initiatives (Planning)

The “Most Innovative Neighborhood Initiative” award is presented to the neighborhood that implemented a new and innovative project to improve quality of life in their community. Be it through their unique social programs, new renovation efforts, or even new ways to partner with others and use existing resources. Innovative projects are characterized as forward-thinking efforts that improve lives of Fort Wayne neighborhood residents. All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.
Which neighborhood are you nominating? *
Name (of Nominated Neighborhood Association's President or Project Lead)*

First NameLast Name
Email (of President or Project Lead)*
example@example.com
Phone Number (of President or Project Lead)*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Summary *

Please describe the project. 0/2000
Engaging Community Members (10 Points)*

Please describe how neighborhood residents and leaders were engaged with this project. 0/2000
Inclusive Engagement (10 Points)*

Please explain how the association you're nominating intentionally engaged and honored the voices of, diverse community residents and stakeholders (I.e., Have you reached out to residents of both homeowners and renters in your neighborhood? How have you included neighbors of various races, ethnicities, orientations, gender identities, income levels, educational attainment levels, abilities, religions/ belief systems, etc.) 0/2000
Innovation (10 points)*

Explain what makes this a new or innovative idea for Fort Wayne Neighborhoods. 0/2000
Quality of life (10 Points)*

How were lives in the neighborhood improved as a result of this effort? If possible, please provide data and/or testimonials to support your response to this question. 0/2000
Anything else (optional)

Please use this space to tell us anything else you think we should know about this project. (You can provide video or website links, upload photos, etc.) 0/2000
File Upload (optional)

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Placemaking, Beautification & Public Space Improvements (Activation)

Beautiful and well-designed public spaces have the power to lift spirits, increase physical activity, and positively impact behavior by bringing people together and reducing crime. The “Placemaking, Beautification & Public Space Improvement” Award is intended to recognize a neighborhood association that has focused on transforming the physical appearance of homes, infrastructure, and public spaces in their community. (Examples of beautification projects include but are not limited to park improvements, art, community gardens, multi-home curb appeal efforts, etc.) All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.
What neighborhood are you nominating? *
Name of Nominated Neighborhood Association's President or Project Lead*

First NameLast Name
Email (of President or Project Lead)*
example@example.com
Phone Number (of President or Project Lead)*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Summary *

Please describe the project. 0/2000
Engaging Community Members (10 points)*

Please describe how neighborhood residents and leaders were engaged with this project.0/2000
Inclusive Engagement (10 points)*

Please explain how the association intentionally engaged and honored the voices of, diverse community residents and stakeholders (I.e., Have you reached out to residents of both homeowners and renters in your neighborhood? How have you included neighbors of various races, ethnicities, orientations, gender identities, income levels, educational attainment levels, abilities, religions/ belief systems, etc.) 0/2000
Beautification (10 points)*

Beyond increasing property values, explain how this project beautified a neighborhood space or element that is publicly accessible to all residents. 0/2000
Quality of Life (10 Points)*

How were lives in the neighborhood improved as a result of this effect. (If possible, please provide data and/or testimonials to support how this project not only beautified your neighborhood, but also improved the wellbeing of your community or its residents socially, civically, physically, etc.). 0/2000
Anything else (optional)*

Please use this space to tell us anything else you think we should know about this project. (You can provide video or website links, upload photos, etc.)0/2000
File Upload (optional)

Cancelof
Association Partnerships & Teamwork (Collaboration)

The “Association Partnership & Teamwork” Award will recognize a neighborhood association that has worked over the past 12 months to actively develop collaboration within their communities (with local schools, business, houses of worship, etc.) and/or with neighborhood associations and community stakeholders outside of their neighborhood’s boundaries. This kind of activity can be shown through block parties, events, and more! All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.
What neighborhood are you nominating? *
Name of Nominated Neighborhood Association's President or Project Lead*

First NameLast Name
Email (of President or Project Lead)*
example@example.com
Phone Number (of President or Project Lead)*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Summary *

Please describe the project. 0/2000
Engaging Community Members (10 points)*

Please describe how neighborhood residents and leaders were engaged with this project. 0/2000
Inclusive Engagement (10 points)*

Please explain how the association intentionally engaged and honored the voices of, diverse community residents and stakeholders (I.e., Have you reached out to residents of both homeowners and renters in your neighborhood? How have you included neighbors of various races, ethnicities, orientations, gender identities, income levels, educational attainment levels, abilities, religions/ belief systems, etc.) 0/2000
Collaboration (10 points)*

Describe who your partners were, whether your relationship with them is new or long standing, and how they were involved in this project. 0/2000
Quality of Life (10 points)*

How were lives in the neighborhood improved as a result of this effect. (If possible, please provide data and/or testimonials to support how this project improved lives and relationships in your neighborhood and/or the city of Fort Wayne.) 0/2000
Anything else (optional)

Please use this space to tell us anything else you think we should know about this project. (You can provide video or website links, upload photos, etc.) 0/2000
File Upload (optional)

Cancelof

Neighborhood Leader of the Year Awards!

"Neighborhood Leader of the Year” awards are recognize individual community members in the following categories: 1) Inspiring Neighborhood Leader, 2) Helping Hand, and 3) Rising Star. Click on each of the awards below to learn more about each award. Check the appropriate box to see a description of each award category- or select "I'm not nominating an individual" to skip to the submission page. (You can nominate an individual in as few as one- or as many as all three- categories if they are eligible!)
Which award(s) are they being nominated for?*

Inspiring Neighborhood LeaderRising StarHelping HandI'm not nominating an individual (skip to submission)
Inspiring Neighborhood Leader

This esteemed award is granted to a neighborhood officer or block captain. someone in our community who has taken initiative to help around their neighborhood. A leader who is fit for this award shows integrity, grit, and strength in their attitude towards not only their neighborhood but their fellow residents. All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.
Name of person you are nominating*

First NameLast Name
Email of nominee*
example@example.com
Phone Number of nominee
Please enter a valid phone number.
Why are they being nominated? (20 points)*

What character traits makes her/him/them an inspiring leader? (Please include details about how the leader you’re nominating demonstrates integrity, grit, strength, etc.) 0/2000
Mentorship (10 points)*

How does this leader help to train, equip, or mentor other members of their neighborhood or the Fort Wayne Community0/2000
Quality of Life (10 points)*

How has this leader, or their work, improved lives in Fort Wayne? (You are encouraged to include data or testimonials)0/2000
Anything else (optional)

Please use this space to tell us anything else you think we should know about your nominee. (You can provide video or website links, upload photos, etc.)0/2000
File Upload (optional)

Cancelof
The Helping Hand

“The Helping hand” is an award that recognizes a person who has gone out of their way to help families and residents of their community. They are often seen as “unsung heroes.” Someone who would earn this award might have, for example, helped bring food to families who were sick, or another virtuous deed. All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.
Name of person you are nominating*

First NameLast Name
Email of nominee*
example@example.com
Phone Number of nominee
Please enter a valid phone number.
Why are they being nominated? (25 points)*

How has the person you’re nominating gone out of their way to serve their neighborhood and/or the Fort Wayne community? 0/2000
Quality of Life (15 points)*

How has this leader, or their work, improved lives in Fort Wayne? (You are encouraged to include data or testimonials about how their work has made this community a better place to live) 0/2000
Anything else (optional)

Please use this space to tell us anything else you think we should know about your nominee. (You can provide video or website links, upload photos, etc.)0/2000
File Upload (Optional)

Cancelof
Young Leader Award/ Rising Star Award

Young people aren’t just our future, they’re our present! The Rising Star award celebrates the efforts of community members 25 years of age and younger who are making outstanding contributions to their neighborhood and neighborhood association. (Recipients can be as young as 5 years old.) All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.
Name of person you are nominating*

First NameLast Name
Email of nominee*
example@example.com
Phone Number of nominee
Please enter a valid phone number.
Is this person under the age of 25?*

YesNoUnsure
About the nominee (20 points)*

Please describe character traits of the young person you are nominating. (What is their approximate age, if applicable, where do they work or go to school, etc.) 0/2000
Why are they being nominated? (10 points)*

What makes her/him/them a rising star in our community? (Please describe how their efforts serves neighborhoods and/or neighborhood residents.) 0/2000
Quality of Life (10 points)*

How has this leader, or their work, improved lives in Fort Wayne? (You are encouraged to include data or testimonials) 0/2000
Anything else (optional)

Please use this space to tell us anything else you think we should know about your nominee. (You can provide video or website links, upload photos, etc.) 0/2000
File Upload (optional)

Cancelof
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2026 Inspire Conference Award Nomination Form (Deadline: 06/30/26)

Helpful Tips & Things to Keep in Mind

Nominator Contact Information

Neighborhood Associations of the Year Awards!

Neighborhood Leader of the Year Awards!