Community Excellence Award Race for the Cup

About the Award

The League recognizes innovative solutions through the peer-nominated Community Excellence Award, a spirited competition we affectionately call “The Race for the Cup.”

Last year we transitioned to a less formal "elevator pitch" style presentation for initial entries at the regional level. This makes the competition more accessible and easier for everyone to participate without a lot of time, expense, and expertise required. It also limits unforeseen technical difficulties at all the various meeting locations.

The seven region finalists will go on to the final round at the League's Annual Convention. That's where they’ll get to pull out all the stops for the kind of high-quality, entertaining production that's become such a highlight of the Annual Convention.
Remember, giving a five minute, “elevator pitch” style presentation at your Regional Roundtable is the ONLY way to enter!

How it Works

Competitors are given five minutes to present at their respective Regional Roundtable, held during the Capital Conference in Lansing. Following the presentations, the seminar attendees vote and the winner (for that region) is announced.

The seven region finalists go on to represent their communities in the final round at the League’s Annual Convention, where votes from every attendee are counted, and the winner is announced at the Convention’s final event.

Does Your Community Have What it Takes?

Enter your community in the Race for the Cup if you answer YES to the following questions:
- Does your community have an innovative local success story, program, or project?
- Did this project have a positive impact on your community?
- Could another community adapt this project to meet a similar challenge?

Entry Process

1.) Register
Click here for the online Community Excellence Award entry form.

2.) Prepare Entry
Prepare a five (5) minute verbal “elevator pitch” style presentation. Optional: Bring a 2 x 3 ft display board of your project/initiative; we will display it on an easel during the meeting.

Past Winners

2011 Clare's Cops & Doughnuts Bakery

2010 Grand Haven Vivid and Lively Goals

2009 Lathrup Village Timebank Project

2008 Jackson Armory Arts

2007 St. Joseph Community Art Project

2011 Finalists

Region 1 Southfield's Field Zone Youth Center

Region 2 "Uncork Paw Paw"

Region 3 Ludington's Ball Drop celebration

Region 4 Clare's Cops & Doughnuts Bakery

Region 5 Vassar's Chill on the Hill

Region 6 West Branch's Fabulous Fridays

Region 7 Marquette's waterfront safety initiative