Nominations Open for the 2027 Kindling Awards

Celebrating the everyday spaces where we gather, connect, and build community

In the Adirondacks, our lives are shaped by the places where we cross paths. Our towns thrive on the shared physical spaces that foster social cohesion, spark connection, and cultivate trust among neighbors. 

Whether it’s the corner diner where locals talk through community challenges, a town park where generations mix, or a local library where people linger to check in on one another, these spaces form the essential “civic infrastructure” of our region.

The Kindling Awards are named after the essential ingredient that starts the warm fire we all gather around. In our third edition, we are turning our focus to Third Spaces — the physical anchors outside of home and work that bring people together, bridge divides, and strengthen local resilience. Supported by our partnership with the Trust for Civic Life, we want to honor the welcoming spaces that serve as the heartbeat of everyday community life.

How It Works 

We are looking for the everyday gathering places that function as the “social glue” of our towns. If selected, these spaces will be featured in a community profile to highlight their vital role in bringing people together.

To keep that warmth growing, each selected space will receive a $1,000 grant in honor of all they do:

• Nonprofits, Municipal/Town Spaces, Public Libraries, and Community Hubs can receive and use the $1,000 grant directly to enhance their space or programs.
• Local Businesses or For-Profit Gathering Places (such as cafes, diners, or general stores) will be invited to direct the $1,000 grant to a local nonprofit, library, or community initiative of their choice.

Guidelines & Eligibility 

The Kindling Awards are about celebrating the shared physical anchors of the Adirondack region that build trust and foster belonging.

• Who is eligible: Physical gathering spaces located within the Adirondack Region (the Adirondack Park, plus all of Clinton and Franklin counties and the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory). Spaces may be town/municipal spaces, grassroots or neighborhood hubs, or local small businesses.
• What we are looking for: We are specifically seeking the everyday, deep-rooted community spaces where residents naturally gather to connect, build trust, and foster a sense of shared purpose. While spaces that also welcome seasonal residents and visitors are fully eligible, our primary focus is on places that serve as consistent, accessible anchors for local community life. (Note: While we deeply value our regional performing arts centers, formal institutions, and regional tourist attractions, this award is intended to celebrate grassroots, everyday civic and social spaces.)
• The Recognition: Honored spaces will be featured in a regional profile sharing their story and highlighting the role they play in local civic life.
• The Grant: Each selected space will receive or direct a $1,000 grant to support community-building work in the area.
• The Ongoing Spark: Over the following months, we will follow up with the honorees and grant recipients to share how the grant funds are being put to work, illustrating how these spaces continue to strengthen local ties.

How to Nominate 

DEADLINE: JANUARY 8, 2027

We want to hear about your favorite community gathering space in whatever way is easiest for you. You don’t need to be a formal writer—we just want to hear your story.

Whether you write or call, please try to touch on these three points:

1. The Gathering Place: What is this space, and how does it welcome people in? Tell us how it creates a low-barrier, accessible environment for everyday interaction and social connection.
2. The Social Glue: How does this space build trust and bring different people together? Share how it helps neighbors connect, talk across differences, or support one another.
3. The Story: Tell us about a specific time or recurring routine that captures why this space is vital to the heart and spirit of your town.

Option 1: The Online Form – Fill out our brief form with your answers to the three points above. It only takes a few minutes!

Option 2: Give Us a Call – If you’d rather talk it through, we’d love to listen. You can leave your nomination as a voicemail, or if we’re in the office, we’d be happy to chat with you and take notes on your behalf.

What We’re Looking For (Criteria) 

We seek to honor spaces that serve as vital civic infrastructure, weaving the social fabric of our towns. We evaluate nominations based on three core pillars:

Civic Heart & Community Anchor: Is the space a pillar of local resilience? We look for places that act as the living room of a town, strengthening the collective sense of place and mutual support in the Adirondacks.

Fostering Connection & Social Cohesion: Does the space encourage regular, informal interactions where people meet, build trust, and form lasting relationships across backgrounds and perspectives?

Accessibility & Genuine Belonging: Is the space open, inclusive, and welcoming to all everyday residents—especially those who might otherwise feel isolated or disconnected?