The New Initiatives Committee ensures APWA continues to adapt and innovate in a rapidly evolving environment. The committee’s purpose is to encourage and support members’ entrepreneurial ideas that enhance the value of experiences, products, services, and educational offerings for APWA stakeholders. The following steps outline the process by which the New Initiatives Committee will receive, review, and evaluate proposals for potential funding.
Program Objective
The program’s primary objective is to support APWA’s Strategic Plan by funding new initiatives that advance the strategic goals of Value, Voice, Education and Credentialing and Membership and Chapters.
Program Details
The Committee advances these goals by reviewing and funding new initiative proposals twice each year. It coordinates with the APWA Finance Committee and Strategic Planning Committee through their respective chairs. Each fiscal year, the Board of Directors approves a designated funding amount through the budget process, based on a recommendation from the Finance Committee. Funding is provided from the New Initiatives Reserve Fund in accordance with APWA Policy B2.2A.
Within the funding amount approved by the Board, the New Initiatives Committee is authorized to approve proposals and allocate funds to programs that support some or all the following criteria:
- Grow and retain APWA membership
- Engage and support frontline operational staff
- Innovative education and credentialing
- Strengthen chapters and leadership
- Advance digital tools and technology
- Expand research and global collaboration
- Elevate public awareness and advocacy (as permitted under 501(c)(3))
2026 Program Timeline Calendar (Spring Cycle)
- Application cycle opens February 9, 2026
- Application cycle closes April 15, 2026
- Awardee announcement by May 21, 2026
Note: A fall 2026 application process and award cycle will be launched in September 2026.
Application and Scoring Process
Interested applicants are invited to apply by completing a brief application that outlines their program idea and operational plan by the established deadline.
The committee will evaluate submitted proposals using the criteria below.
- Alignment with the APWA Strategic Plan (50 points): Demonstrates clear benefits and alignment with APWA’s strategic goals.
- Innovation and Ingenuity (25 points): Introduces a new or improved approach, product, or program, with a clear rationale for how it adds value and how success will be measured.
- Cost and Feasibility (25 points): Presents a realistic budget, demonstrates feasibility, and identifies any matching funds or resources.