Rebuilding Together’s 2026 Awards for Excellence Winners
Rebuilding Together recently hosted its 31st Summit, an annual convening of affiliates, in Pittsburgh from November 5-7, 2026. Affiliates from across the country discussed best practices, shared innovative ideas, and celebrated excellence. This year, several affiliate members won awards for their outstanding service and programs to keep our neighbors safe in their homes through essential repairs and accessibility improvements. Each has shown a deep commitment to advancing affordable housing and nonprofit effectiveness.
Excellence in Community Programming
This award honors an affiliate that has shown excellence in direct service initiatives that engage and serve neighbors.
Winner: Rebuilding Together Peninsula launched a first-of-its-kind lead paint hazard remediation program in partnership with San Mateo County. Funded through a settlement with paint manufacturers, the program has completed 27 lead remediation projects to date, protecting the health of the community's children and families.
Excellence in Collaboration
This award recognizes an affiliate that has built strong, innovative partnerships with local organizations and residents to further our mission.
Winner: Rebuilding Together Austin San Antonio uses partnership as its primary operating model, placing residents, organizations, businesses, government agencies and volunteers at the center of its work. After expanding into San Antonio in 2024, the affiliate brought its Community Revitalization Partnership model to a second city and coordinates repair efforts through the Austin Housing Repair Coalition.
Excellence in Overall Leadership
This award celebrates an affiliate's outstanding leadership and organizational growth.
Winner: Rebuilding Together Howard County has grown revenue from $400,000 in 2021 to $1.6 million in 2026. A six-month organizational analysis with Leadership Howard County led to ongoing improvements in operations, project management, financial stewardship and program administration.
Excellence in Housing Access
This award honors an affiliate with a strong and consistent commitment to advancing housing access in its community.
Winner: Rebuilding Together New York City builds lasting stability for families rather than offering one-time fixes. Through its Housing Preservation program, the affiliate provides no-cost critical home repairs and accessibility modifications. Its newest initiative, Rebuilding the Bronx, is backed by a $5 million award from New York State's Targeted Home Improvement Program and brings repairs to low- and moderate-income homeowners in Bronx neighborhoods that have long faced disinvestment.
Excellence in Commitment to Collective Impact
This award recognizes an affiliate or person whose collaboration strengthens the entire Rebuilding Together network.
Winner: Allison Brill, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Charleston, has led the affiliate since 2017 and generously shares her expertise across the network. She mentors new executive directors, contributes to national committees and serves on the National Affiliate Council.
President's Award
The President's Award recognizes outstanding achievement, innovation and impact by affiliates that embody the mission and values of Rebuilding Together. This year one organization and one individual was recognized for this honor.
President’s Award Winner – Organization
Winner: Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada has built its impact through a genuine multi-sector coalition of residents, municipalities, corporations, funders and volunteers, all working toward safe, healthy homes across the Las Vegas Valley. A $1 million grant from the City of North Las Vegas launched an initiative creating housing opportunities for veterans near a VA hospital and schools, while a $1.5 million state award sustains its critical-repair work forhomeowners in need. Annual volunteer days mobilize 1,200 to 1,500 community members each year, helping RTSNV reach more than 7,800 homes and 14,000 residents to date.
President’s Award Winner – Individual
Winner: Sarah Snyder, Henry County Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Henry County, is an outstanding example of leadership in action. She began in 2011 as the affiliate's only employee, working part time, and brought her vision and relentless enthusiasm to serving older adults, veterans and families in rural Henry County, Illinois. Today, Rebuilding Together Henry County serves around 100 neighbors each year and has built more than 500 ramps across the county. Sarah also represents the affiliate network on the National Affiliate Council and the national board, ensuring the voices of affiliates are heard.
Looking Ahead The 2026 Rebuilding Together Summit was an exceptional blend of inspiration, education, and connection. Congratulations to this year's award recipients and to every nominee, whose work shows what is possible when neighbors come together. As Rebuilding Together continues to make strides in revitalizing communities and homes, this annual event serves as a beacon of hope and collaboration.