The Conference has a number of programs and award opportunities available to its member cities. In 2017, the Conference will award over $2 million in grants to its members.

City Livability Award

Established in 1979, the City Livability Awards honors mayors and their governments for developing programs that enhance the quality of life in urban areas.

  • Sponsor:  Waste Management
  • Award Categories:  One Large City (over 100,000 population) and One Small City (under 100,000 population)
  • Application Deadline: March 6, 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 83rd Annual Meeting June 2015 in San Francisco.

USCM Contact: Jocelyn Bogen (202) 861-6727 jbogen@usmayors.org

CommunityWINS Grant Program

The Working/Investing in Neighborhood Stabilization Grant Program will award $3 million over three years, to support local nonprofits in promoting long-term economic prosperity and quality of life for their community. Mayors may nominate up to three initiatives or programs through an eligible nonprofit of your choice.

  • Sponsor:  Wells Fargo
  • Award Categories: Two Large City ($300,000 First Place, $75,000 Outstanding Achievement), Two Medium City ($150,000 First Place, $50,000 Outstanding Achievement), and Two Small City ($150,000 First Place, $50,000 Outstanding Achievement).
  • Application Deadline: March 16, 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 83rd Annual Meeting June 2015 in San Francisco.

USCM Contact: Gene Lowe (202) 861-6710 glowe@usmayors.org or Jocelyn Bogen (202) 861-6727 jbogen@usmayors.org

 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards

This award program recognizes and honors mayors for their outstanding and innovative practices that increase energy efficiency, expand renewable energy and/or reduce carbon emissions.

  • Sponsor:   Wal-Mart
  • Award Categories: $25,000 for One Large City (over 100,000 population) and $15,000 for One Small City (under 100,000 population)
  • Application Deadline: May 1, 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 83rd Annual Meeting June 2015 in San Francisco.

USCM Contact: Kevin McCarty (202) 861-6728 or kmccarty@usmayors.org

Childhood Obesity Prevention Grants

More than $400,000 in grants will be awarded to cities that will support and expand childhood obesity prevention programs.

  • Sponsor: American Beverage Association
  • Award Categories:Two Large City ($150,000 First Place, $25,000 Second Place), Two Medium City ($120,000 First Place, $25,000 Second Place), and Two Small City ($100,000 First Place, $25,000 Second Place)
  • Application Period: Summer 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 84th Winter Meeting January 2016 in Washington, DC.

USCM Contact: Crystal Swann (202) 861-6707 or cswann@usmayors.org

Summer Youth Jobs Challenge

The second annual National Summer Youth Jobs Challenge urges mayors to create innovative partnerships with their local business and non-profit communities to ensure that the nation’s youth have a meaningful summer job experience.

  • Sponsor: The U.S. Conference of Mayors, The U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council (WDC), and the National DollarWise Campaign-Mayors for Financial Literacy
  • Application Period: Spring 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 83rd Annual Meeting June 2015 in San Francisco.

USCM Contact: James Kirby (202) 861-6759 or jkirby@usmayors.org

National Education Pathways with a Purpose

This partnership will highlight mayors that have expanded creative initiatives to advance both college and career readiness and college completion. Cities will be recognized for developing strong and enduring collaborations between K-12 and higher education systems and employers to address college preparation and long-term career success.

  • Sponsor:  USA Funds
  • Award Categories: $50,000 will be awarded among cities in small, medium, and large categories.
  • Application Period: March 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 83rd Annual Meeting June 2015 in San Francisco.

USCM Contact: Kathy Wiggins (202) 861-6723 or kwiggins@usmayors.org

Community Gardens and Green Spaces Awards

Provides a multi-year grant to promote and recognize mayoral leadership in the development of “greenscapes” across the nation.

  • Sponsor: Scotts Miracle-Gro
  • Award Categories: Five (three year grants) totaling $40,000 in cash and in-kind product.
  • Application Period: Fall 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 84th Winter Meeting January 2016 in Washington, DC.

USCM Contact: Crystal Swann (202) 861-6707 or cswann@usmayors.org

Leadership in the Arts Awards

This award program honors elected officials and artists that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts.

  • Sponsor: Americans for the Arts & The United States Conference of Mayors
  • Award Categories:  One Large City Mayor & One Small City Mayor
  • Application Period: Fall 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 84th Winter Meeting January 2016 in Washington, DC.

USCM Contact: Jocelyn Bogen (202) 861-6727 jbogen@usmayors.org 

DollarWise Innovation Grants

Through these grants, DollarWise seeks to recognize and fund local financial education efforts that are both innovative and adaptable by other communities.

  • Sponsor: Bank of America
  • Award Categories: Two $15,000 Awards (no population categories)
  • Application Period: Fall 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 84th Winter Meeting January 2016 in Washington, DC.

USCM Contact: James Kirby (202) 861-6759 or jkirby@usmayors.org

DollarWise Summer Youth Campaign Grants

Each year through the Summer Youth Campaign, DollarWise encourages mayors to incorporate a financial education component into their cities’ summer youth employment programs. Cities may use these grants to provide incentives for youth to develop good financial habits, to establish evaluation techniques for the financial education component of their SYEPs, or other innovative ideas.

  • Sponsor: Bank of America
  • Award Categories:  Five $4,000 Awards (no population categories)
  • Application Period: Fall 2015
  • Winners will be presented at the 84th Winter Meeting January 2016 in Washington, DC

USCM Contact: James Kirby (202) 861-6759 or jkirby@usmayors.org