FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Communities by Design, a program of the Architects Foundation, has opened its Call for Applications for 2027 Design Assistance Teams. Communities seeking support on complex local challenges—including climate resilience, disaster recovery, affordable housing, downtown revitalization, transportation, neighborhood planning, and equitable development—are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Friday, December 4, 2026.
Design Assistance Teams bring customized, interdisciplinary groups of volunteer professionals together with residents, civic leaders, and local stakeholders through a participatory public process. Each engagement develops community-driven strategies grounded in local context, informed by professional analysis, and designed to build momentum for implementable change.
With a track record dating to 1967, Communities by Design has completed more than 265 projects and helped communities generate long-term strategies for sustainable development. Impact surveys from participating communities found that 98 percent identified “strategic focus” and “new ideas and recommendations” as key outcomes, while 89 percent reported that the process helped build long-lasting community trust.
“Design Assistance Teams help communities turn shared priorities into clear, actionable plans,” said Joel Mills, Sr. Director, Communities by Design at the Architects Foundation. “The 2027 Call for Applications is an opportunity for communities to access national expertise while keeping local voices at the center of the process.”
The program has been recognized by leading public engagement and facilitation organizations for its replicable, community-centered process and measurable results. Selected communities will work with Communities by Design to shape a tailored engagement process and assemble the professional expertise best suited to their local goals.
Learn More and Apply
The 2027 Call for Applications is now open, with applications due December 4, 2026.
Visit the Communities by Design program page to access the online application, download the full application, review submission information, and register for upcoming informational webinars.
For questions or to discuss a potential project, contact Erin Simmons at esimmons@aia.org.
About Communities by Design
Communities by Design is an Architects Foundation program that uses design thinking and public participation to help communities address critical challenges and create a path toward implementation. Through Design Assistance Team projects, interdisciplinary volunteers work alongside residents, civic leaders, and local partners to develop action plans rooted in community priorities and professional expertise.
About the Architects Foundation
The Architects Foundation leads philanthropic efforts to attract, inspire, and invest in the next generation of architects while supporting programs that demonstrate the power of design to strengthen communities.
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