14 Finalists Named for the 2025 MANDI Awards
LISC Celebrates 30 Years of Community Development in Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (known as the MANDIs) will celebrate 26 years, continuing to recognize the successful efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen the community. Following public nominations, a volunteer Selection Committee has named 14 finalists for this year's awards.
Finalists in seven categories were announced May 28, 2025, on mandiawards.com. The announcement was recorded at The Hunger Task Force Farm, the 2024 winner of the MANDI Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award. The Milwaukee office of LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation) produces the MANDIs in partnership with the Presenting Sponsor, US Bank.
The MANDIs recognize individuals, organizations, and projects that are improving conditions in Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. Finalists are selected from public nominations by a 26-member, independent, cross-sector volunteer committee. Winners will be announced live at the annual event on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The MANDIs will be held at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino. Sponsorships and tickets are available at mandiawards.com
The “Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment Community Health Award” for an organization working to eliminate health disparities through system change.
· Bread of Healing Clinic
· Serenity Inns, Inc.
The “Associated Bank Trailblazer Award” for an innovative approach to a community problem.
· Bridge Builders, Inc.
· Milwaukee Diaper Mission
The “BMO Cornerstone Award” for commitment and effectiveness over time.
· Housing Resources Inc.
· Walnut Way Conservation Corp
The “Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award” for public space that helps build the community.
· Havenwoods State Forest
· National DIY Skatepark, Inc
The “Husch Blackwell Building Blocks Award” for a real estate project that advances the community.
· Concordia 27
· Urban Ecology Center - Washington Park Renovation and Expansion
The “JPMorganChase Economic Development Award” for economic and business development.
· Historic King Drive Business Improvement District No. 8
· HoneyBee Sage Wellness and Apothecary, LLC
The “Navigator Award” for individual leadership.
· Brenda Campbell
· Karen Higgins
The “Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award” will be given to the three finalists who receive the most public votes. Voting will take place August 4-13, 2025, on the Urban Milwaukee website. In addition to the recognition and prestige, MANDI Award Winners receive $1,000 for their organization.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is one of the nation’s largest community development organizations, having invested $35 billion to build stronger communities of opportunity across the United States, leveraging more than $93 billion in total development. In 2024 alone, LISC deployed $3.2 billion, helping create over 24,000 affordable homes and supporting thousands of small businesses and community facilities nationwide. LISC works through 37 local offices and a rural program that is active in 49 states.
LISC and its affiliates have invested nearly $275 million in Milwaukee neighborhoods and over $783 million in Wisconsin - fueling affordable housing, economic development, and community-led revitalization efforts. LISC opened the LISC Milwaukee office in 1995, making 2025 the 30th anniversary of LISC in Milwaukee.