PRIZES

From Vision to Reality

The America’s Best Communities Prize Competition will take place over three years, with multiple opportunities to win support for your city’s future.

Quarter-Finalist Round

Prizes

Up to 50 Quarter-Finalists will receive:

  • $35,000 and support to define their vision and to develop a plan to put into motion
  • A GoPro camera to share their stories along the way

Requirements

  • Complete a Community Revitalization Plan focused on economic development
  • Obtain $15,000 of community matching funds
  • Present a 7-month budget outlining the use of cash award and community matching funds
  • Create a budget proposal of $100,000 for possible 11-month implementation of the Community Revitalization Plan
  • Provide video and blog submissions to report progress
  • Complete a Winner’s Agreement that meets the requirements for this round of competition

In addition, to the extent possible, at least half of the selected Quarter-Finalists will represent rural communities across the Frontier Communications Service Area.

Semi-Finalist Round 

Prizes

Up to 15 Semi-Finalists will receive:

  • Invitation to the America’s Best Communities Summit where the strongest plans will be presented to the judges
  • Airfare and accommodation for up to three Applicant Team members to present their plans

Requirements

  • Attend America’s Best Communities Summit
  • Provide a public 15-minute presentation of their Community Revitalization Plan to a panel of esteemed judges
  • Complete a Winner’s Agreement that meets the requirements for this round of competition

In addition, to the extent possible, based on the submissions, at least half of the 15 Semi-Finalists will come from rural communities.

Finalist Round

Prizes

  • Up to 8 Finalists will be awarded $100,000 to bring their plans to life
  • In-kind awards from the ABC Prize sponsors
  • 11 months to implement the tactics outlined in the Community Revitalization Plan

Requirements

  • 3 quarterly updates indicating progress on their plan, including metrics and expenditures
  • Final report capturing progress made during the 11-month time frame
  • Commit to storytelling over the implementation period of 11 months, including press releases, press events, and more
  • Complete a Winner’s Agreement that meets the requirements for this round of competition
  • 10 unedited, raw GoPro video content uploads documenting project progress

Winner Round

Prizes

  • 3 Grand Prize winners will receive the following cash awards:
    • First Place: $3 million
    • Second Place: $2 million
    • Third Place: $1 million
  • An original outdoor mural depicting the vibrancy and resiliency of their community painted by a locally identified artist
  • A sign identifying the city as an America’s Best Communities winner

Requirements

  • Commit to 12 additional months of storytelling, including press releases, press events, and participation in other PR opportunities, and to share best practices with other US communities
  • Complete a Winner’s Agreement that meets the requirements for this round of competition