Tallahassee opens 2026 Neighborhood Awards entries to honor community projects

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tallahassee residents who live within city limits are being invited to spotlight the people and projects strengthening their neighborhoods as the City of Tallahassee opens entries for its 2026 Neighborhood Awards Program.

The annual program recognizes neighborhood involvement that enriches Tallahassee and empowers residents. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Neighborhood Champions: Honoring Excellence, Leadership, and Impact.” Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28.

Awards will be given in these categories:

Outstanding Neighbor of the Year; Neighborhood Advocacy; Neighborliness; Neighborhood of the Year; Small Neighborhood (under 200 homes); Large Neighborhood (200-plus homes); Best Neighborhood Programs of the Year; Best Physical Neighborhood Improvement; Best Social Neighborhood Improvement; and Best Neighborhood Communication.

Recipients of the Neighborhood of the Year awards will receive award signs to display. Previous winners will receive a sign blade to be affixed to their existing Neighborhood of the Year sign. For the 2026 awards program, a cash prize of $500 will be provided to winners of Neighborhood of the Year to fund a neighborhood program or project. Recipients of Outstanding Neighbor of the Year and Best Neighborhood Programs awards will receive plaques.

Neighborhoods within Tallahassee city limits are encouraged to apply. Two versions of the application are available: a computer-fillable form and a version that can be printed and completed manually. Applications and category information are available at Talgov.com/NeighborhoodAwards.

To help applicants, the city will host a virtual application workshop via Teams on Monday, Aug. 10, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Neighborhoods planning to submit a nomination are encouraged, but not required, to attend. Registration information is available at Talgov.com/NeighborhoodAwards.

Questions can be directed to the city’s Neighborhood Affairs division at 850-891-8795. More information about neighborhood-focused programs is available at Talgov.com/Neighborhoods.