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