Kansas City, KS– Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in partnership with the Council on Foundations, named Lincoln Community Foundation one of the first 10 winners of a new awards program to recognize community foundations for the excellent work they do along with their public partners in the areas of housing and community development.

The new HUD Secretary’s Award for Community Foundationshonors community foundations that work closely with the public sector on projects involving housing and neighborhood improvements, education, health and recreation, transportation, community participation, arts and culture, public safety, sustainability, and economic development.

“Through the development of community learning centers (CLCs), Lincoln Community Foundation is creating lasting and positive change in Lincoln” said Derrith Watchman-Moore, Regional Administrator for HUD Region VII.  “CLCs support and strengthen neighborhoods and serve as foundations to address safe, affordable housing, affordable quality childcare, workforce development, and accessible health care.”

“The 10 awardees, and all our community foundation members, represent lives improved, neighborhoods saved, jobs created, people trained, kids educated, and homes built,” said Vikki N. Spruill, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations.  “Philanthropy is hard at work investing in America’s communities, addressing challenges head on, and innovating for a better future.”

A jury selected one community foundation from each of HUD’s 10 regions. Awards were given to community foundations for completed or ongoing initiatives that are executed in partnership with a local, regional, or federal government agency.  The winners nationwide are:

Read more about the winners and the new HUD Secretary’s Award for Community Foundations.

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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and  transform the way HUD does business. Anyone who believes they have been the victim of discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.govand http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s News Mailing List.

The Council on Foundations (www.cof.org), formed in 1949, is a nonprofit membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. Council members include more than 1,700 independent, operating, community, public and company-sponsored foundations, and corporate giving programs in the United States and abroad. The Council’s mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools philanthropic organizations need to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.