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Contact: Izzy Woodruff | [email protected]
Ivory Innovations center at University of Utah School of Business awards 2025 Ivory Prize to Grounded Solutions for innovative private-sector funding for permanently affordable homeownership
Washington, D.C.—Grounded Solutions Network today announced that it has been recognized by Ivory Innovations, a nonprofit academic center based at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, as a winner of the prestigious 2025 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability. The annual Ivory Prize recognizes and funds novel solutions to the housing crisis, and this year Grounded Solutions won in the finance category for its innovative Homes for the Future model. In addition to national recognition and ongoing support from Ivory Innovations, Grounded Solutions receives $100,000.
“Grounded Solutions Network is honored to receive the Ivory Prize in recognition of our Homes for the Future initiative,” said Grounded Solutions CEO, Tony Pickett. “Homes for the Future’s unique and powerful approach to addressing the nation’s housing affordability crisis combines innovative finance with shared equity housing to preserve affordability, build wealth for families, and ensure community stability for generations. We are excited to continue the national expansion of Homes for the Future, and we are very proud to be included in this year’s cohort of innovative housing leaders working toward real, lasting solutions.”
Homes for the Future is Grounded Solutions Network’s first capital fund designed to acquire single-family homes for shared equity organizations’ portfolios. Homes for the Future reduces housing organizations’ reliance on public subsidies, expanding homeownership and wealth-building opportunities for people of color nationwide.
“We created Ivory Innovations to combat the widening housing affordability gap by recognizing and funding real-world solutions that are addressing this growing crisis,” said Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes and founder of Ivory Innovations. “The 2025 Ivory Prize winners, which include Grounded Solutions, are bringing to market visionary approaches that push the boundaries of what’s possible in making housing more affordable. Through innovative solutions like Homes for the Future, these leaders are turning the tide on one of our country’s most pressing challenges—housing affordability. The entire Ivory Innovations team congratulates you on being named a 2025 Ivory Prize winner.”
This year, the Ivory Innovations team evaluated over 280 nominations from across the U.S. With a record number of nominees, this year’s cohort was the most competitive yet, reflecting growing momentum in housing affordability innovation. Finalists and winners are selected by Ivory Innovations’ Advisory Board, which is comprised of housing industry veterans from throughout the country.
Additional details about the winners are included below and on ivoryinnovations.org/ivory-prize-2025-winners.
About Ivory Innovations
Ivory Innovations is a nonprofit center based at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business that catalyzes high-impact innovations in housing affordability. As both an academic center and an operating foundation, Ivory Innovations bridges research and practice to support cross-sector solutions, provide recognition and funding for groundbreaking ideas, and contribute directly to the development of affordable housing in Utah.
About Grounded Solutions Network
Grounded Solutions Network is a national nonprofit that supports community land trusts, municipal housing programs, and other organizations advancing housing with lasting affordability. Grounded Solutions promotes evidence-based strategies to create inclusive, opportunity-rich communities where homes remain affordable for generations. Through policy advocacy, expert support, and a strong member network, Grounded Solutions helps local leaders build stable, equitable communities nationwide.
