Process
How can an organization be nominated?
Each year, the Ivory Prize solicits roughly 200 nominations. These nominations are a mix of third-party nominations, self-nominations, and nominations sourced by our team of student associates at the University of Utah. To submit a nomination for the 2024 Ivory Prize, please fill out the nomination form on our website which will become available on September 1, 2023. The form should take ten minutes or less.
Why is the nomination form so short? What if I’d like to provide more information about my organization?
The Ivory Prize nomination form is intentionally designed to be concise to streamline the initial review process and allow a broader range of organizations to participate without being deterred by a lengthy submission process.
We do understand that organizations often have more to share. If you'd like to provide additional information or elaborate on any aspects of your organization, there will be an opportunity in later stages of the evaluation process. After an initial review, selected nominations will be followed with a short video call with our team. Later on in our process, organizations selected as finalists are asked to join us for 1-2 additional calls and to provide additional information and materials.
How are the winners selected?
Ivory Prize winners are selected via a four-phase judging process which takes place between January and May of each year. Final selections are made by our advisory board, which is comprised of veteran housing experts from industry and academia. Between February and May, our board selects a Top 25 finalist group, a Top 10 finalist group, and finally, the three annual winners - one from each of our areas of focus - of the Ivory Prize. Supporting the advisory board with research and diligence on each nominee is our team of full-time staff and student associates.
Review the 2024 Ivory Prize timeline
When will I know if my organization won?
Contending nominees are updated of their status after each round of the selection process, usually within a couple of weeks of the dates listed on our competition details. The winners of the Ivory Prize are typically announced during our annual award ceremony held in the spring. The exact dates and location of this ceremony vary from year to year, so please make sure to sign up for updates via our newsletter or check our website regularly for the latest information.
Eligibility
What if my organization doesn’t fit perfectly into one of the three areas of focus?
We know that innovation comes in many forms and that a diverse array of solutions is necessary to ensure that high-quality housing is affordable and accessible to all Americans. Our three areas of focus - Construction & Design, Finance, and Policy & Regulatory Reform - represent our best attempt at categorizing the key challenges facing the housing industry such that the Ivory Prize can recognize and support models that address these challenges.
Some nominees may not fit perfectly into one (or any) of our areas of focus. In these instances, our team will select the area of focus which we deem to be the best fit.
Ultimately, the criteria for selection are innovation, scalability, and impact on housing affordability, and any nominated organization that demonstrates these elements, regardless of how well it fits into one of our areas of focus, will be evaluated equally.
My organization is a [for-profit/nonprofit/government agency/philanthropic foundation/academic institution]. Are we eligible for nomination?
Yes! All organizations that demonstrate the Ivory Prize criteria of innovation, scalability, and impact on housing affordability are eligible.
Is my organization big enough? Is my organization too big?
As noted, the criteria for selection for the Ivory Prize are innovation, scalability, and impact on housing affordability. Any organization that demonstrates these elements will be evaluated equally, regardless of size or other factors.
Can I nominate my own organization?
Yes! We welcome both self-nominations and nominations from third parties. Once submitted, all nominations are evaluated equally, regardless of their source.
What geography does the Ivory Prize encompass?
The Ivory Prize aims to recognize solutions to the unique challenges of the United States housing market, but nominated organizations may be based or headquartered anywhere in the world.
Awards and Benefits
Is anything expected of Ivory Prize winners and finalists?
The aim of the Ivory Prize is to elevate and highlight the most innovative, impactful, and scalable solutions in housing affordability. As such, we do request that all winners and Top 10 finalists attend our annual Ivory Prize winner event.
Our annual event brings together an audience of peer innovators, industry experts, and media, with the goal of amplifying our mission and celebrating the strides being made in the housing affordability sphere. The gathering provides an opportunity for Ivory Prize winners and finalists to step into the spotlight and be publicly recognized for their contributions.
The exact dates and location of the winner event vary from year to year, so please make sure to sign up for updates via our newsletter or check our website regularly for the latest information.
What are Ivory Prize winners awarded?
The Ivory Prize awards $300,000 in unrestricted grants to winners in each of its three areas of focus. In addition to the monetary award, Ivory Prize winners also benefit from significant recognition, publicity, and operational support from the Ivory Innovations team.
What are the benefits for finalists?
In the past, Top 25 finalists have received a variety of benefits including sponsored summer interns through our office at the University of Utah, access to exclusive industry events, connections to private and public funding sources, and pro bono support. As an Ivory Prize finalist, you will gain access to the Ivory Innovations network and team - we do what we can to champion, elevate, and accelerate your work!
Where does the prize money come from?
The prize money for the Ivory Prize is generously provided by our network of founding partners. Our founding partners 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.
Learn more about our founding partners