The Impact Awards honor individuals and organizations making a significant difference in shaping vibrant, sustainable communities in DFW. These awards recognize outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing the mission of ULI in creating better places for people to live, work, and thrive.

Among this year’s new award categories, you will find:

• Housing and Communities Award: Celebrating Excellence in Residential Development and Community Building Projects with exemplary leadership in the planning, design, financing, or construction of housing that promotes healthy, equitable, and thriving communities.
• Real Estate Finance and Investment Award: Recognizing Leadership in Capital Markets and Investment Strategies Projects, transactions, or investment initiatives which advanced the efficient connection of capital to real estate, promoting land use innovation and economic value creation.
• Sustainability and Economic Impact Award: Honoring Projects that Integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance Excellence Projects whose sustainability principles were embedded in the creation, financing, design, or management of the built environment.
• Innovation in Development Practice Award: Showcasing Breakthrough Approaches in Real Estate Development Case studies or projects that illustrate new ideas, technologies, or methodologies that advanced real estate development.
• Shaping Successful Cities and Regions Award: Advancing Strategic Growth, Policy, and Infrastructure Initiatives Projects that contributed to shaping dynamic, resilient, and inclusive cities or regions through planning, policy, or major development initiatives.

And as a returning category, you will find:

• The Next Big Idea: Innovative Ideas that can positively impact the region’s quality of the built environment Submissions do not have to be completed projects! We seek innovative developments that can positively impact the way in which planning and development are conducted, construction affordability, financing or other aspects of development. What would make our region more resilient? More enjoyable?

Submit your application by January 9, 2026  and join us in applauding the changemakers who are shaping the future of our region on March 26th, 2026!