The Ivory Prize
The Ivory Prize identifies and elevates promising solutions to housing affordability. Through national recognition, funding, and ongoing support, we help innovative organizations grow their impact and bring proven solutions to more communities.
The Ivory Prize is awarded annually in three areas of focus that encompass challenges facing the housing industry:
- Construction & Design
- Finance
- Policy & Regulatory Reform
Nomination Process
Every year, the Ivory Prize draws more than 200 nominations from across the country, including self-nominations, third-party nominations, and candidates identified by our student associate team at the University of Utah. From January to May, nominees advance through a three-phase judging process. Supported by staff and student research, our Advisory Board of industry and academic experts selects the final winners.
Winners join a national cohort of leading housing innovators and receive up to $100,000 in prize funding.
Previous Ivory Prize WinnersSelection Timeline
Contending nominees are updated of their status after each round of the selection process.
September 1, 2026
Ivory Prize nominations open
October 30, 2026
Ivory Prize nominations close at noon MT
January 26, 2027
Top 25 Finalists announced
May 11, 2027
Ivory Prize Winners & Runners-Up announced
1,200+
nominees evaluated
8 years
of recognition
197
winners and finalists
$2 million+
awarded to winners
Ivory Prize Sponsors & Supporters
The Ivory Prize is generously supported by our Innovators Circle and Legacy Partners. Our sponsors range from corporate entities to philanthropic individuals who share our vision for recognizing and supporting groundbreaking ideas and solutions. We're grateful for their ongoing support.
Ivory Prize winners receive:
Exposure & Access
Finalists are featured in national press coverage, newsletters, and social media campaigns. They also gain access to exclusive speaking opportunities at industry events including panels, conferences, and pitch competitions.
Strategic Connections
We provide tailored introductions to potential funders, strategic partners, and customers through our national network. We also leverage our connections in Utah to support opportunities for finalists to scale their innovations in our home state.
Pro Bono Assistance
Finalists receive pro bono consulting support from the Ivory Innovations team, including help with go-to-market strategy, customer discovery, and vision or KPI development — based on organizational needs and team capacity.
Sponsored Summer Interns
Where interests and expertise align, finalists are matched with a sponsored summer intern through our student associate program at the University of Utah.
Financial Support
The Ivory Prize awards hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in unrestricted grants to the winning innovators.
Ivory Prize FAQs
Is my organization eligible for the Ivory Prize?
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U.S.-based organizations are eligible for the Ivory Prize. Nominees are evaluated based on innovation, scalability, and impact on housing affordability, regardless of organization size or type. Nonprofits, for-profit companies, academic institutions, government agencies, and other organizations are encouraged to apply.
What if my organization doesn’t fit perfectly into one of the three areas of focus?
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That’s okay. Our three areas of focus — Construction & Design, Finance, and Policy & Regulatory Reform — are intended to capture a broad range of approaches to housing affordability. If a nominee spans multiple areas or doesn't fit neatly into one, our team will assign it to the category that best fits.
Can I nominate my own organization?
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Yes. Many of our past winners were self-nominated. Once submitted, all nominations are evaluated equally, regardless of who submitted them.
Can I attend the Ivory Prize Summit?
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The Ivory Prize Summit is open to housing innovators, policymakers, developers, researchers, funders, and others working to improve housing affordability. The event is held annually in the fall at rotating locations. Check our website for the most up-to-date information.
Is anything expected of Ivory Prize nominees?
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The aim of the Ivory Prize is to elevate and highlight the most innovative, impactful, and scalable solutions in housing affordability. As such, we ask all Winners and Runners-Up to attend and participate in our annual Ivory Prize Summit, which brings together peers, industry experts, and media to celebrate and amplify progress in housing affordability. Winners and Runners-Up are also asked to prominently display supplied Ivory Prize verbiage and graphics on their website and other relevant materials to help raise awareness of their achievement and the broader mission of the Ivory Prize.
What do Ivory Prize Winners receive?
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Winners in each category are awarded up to $100,000. Primary expenses are also covered to attend the Ivory Prize Summit. More details are shared with nominees as the competition progresses.