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.

The Canopy Innovation Award

The Canopy Housing Foundation has come to understand that there is unleashed potential for innovation within the younger generations, specifically at the college level. The Canopy Innovation Award offers a competition for area colleges / universities with an ultimate challenge to identify innovative approaches to affordable housing problems. The first year-long competition concluded in November as each of the top teams presented their concepts in front of a panel of industry experts. The competition offered $10,000 in scholarship awards to those who take the top honors.

The funds for this project are being provided by those who contributed to the Pearl Society. Their financial contributions will allow us to identify methods to increase the housing availability for all people in our communities.

Innovation Award Winning Teams

On November 18, 2024, three 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.

Scholarships were awarded: $5,000 for first place, and was awarded to the UNC-Charlotte team! $2,500 was awarded to the second place team and $1,500 for third. Congratulations to all teams and winners!

1st Place Winning Team: UNC-Charlotte

2nd Place Winning Team: Central Piedmont Community College

3rd Place Winning Team: Johnson C. Smith University

2024 Student Presentations and Realtors® Choice

The Realtors® Choice Award allowed the Realtor® community to view the recorded presentations and vote to select a team to win an additional $1,000, for a combined $10,000 given in 2024. The Realtors® Choice was awarded to team Central Piedmont Community College.

Central Piedmont Community College

Team members: Faith Blom, Reuben Evans, Itala Flores, Daniel Ramirez, Amanda Sanchez, Yin Theint