INNOVATION AWARD
Pearl Society Partners in Housing
In 2019, the Canopy Housing Foundation launched the Pearl Society – the first-ever formal donor society organized to benefit the mission of the foundation.
Fast forward to 2024. It is believed that creativity sparks new ideas yet innovation is the action that allows these ideas to be put into practical reality. As a result of these beliefs, the Canopy Housing Foundation is proud to announce a new initiative launched in 2024.
Now in its second year in 2025, the Pearl Society’s support continues to fuel the Innovation Award, encouraging college students to develop forward-thinking solutions to affordable housing challenges across our region.
The Canopy Housing Foundation and the Canopy Real Estate Institute kicked off the 2025 Canopy Innovation Award with a student Boot Camp on Monday, Sept. 15.
On November 10, 2025, four teams from area colleges/universities were challenged to identify approaches in solving affordable housing problems through the concept of adaptive re-use. Each student team received assistance from mentors, and each presented the team’s concept in front of a panel of industry experts.
2025 Innovation Student Presentations
Realtors® Choice Award
This Award provides $1,000, and is in addition to the scholarship funds awarded, totaling $10,000.
Voting deadline is Dec. 3, 2025!
Innovation Award Judges Deliberated and Scholarships were Awarded
$5,000 for first place, and was awarded to the Johnson C. Smith University team! $2,500 was awarded to the second place team and $1,500 for third. Congratulations to all teams and winners!
Johnson C. Smith University Team
Central Piedmont Community College Team
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Team
Meet the 2025 Innovation Award Judges
Meet the 2025 Innovation Award Mentors
The Canopy Innovation Award
The Canopy Housing Foundation continues to recognize the unleashed potential for innovation within younger generations, particularly at the college level. The 2025 Canopy Innovation Award once again offers a competition for area colleges and universities, challenging students to identify creative, forward-thinking approaches to affordable housing issues.
Now entering its second year, the competition builds on the success of the inaugural 2024 program, which concluded in November as top teams presented their concepts before a panel of industry experts. This year’s challenge invites new teams to bring fresh ideas and bold solutions to help address housing affordability across our region.
The funds for this project are provided by those who contribute to the Pearl Society. Their continued support makes it possible to inspire and empower the next generation to identify methods that increase housing availability for all people in our communities.
