There are more than 333,600 association-governed communities in the United States. What sets your community apart from the crowd?
Submissions for the 2026 CAY Awards are now open!
Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute is looking for the communities that best represent common-interest community living, excel in two-way communications with residents, and think of others beyond the community’s borders.
"Participation in CAY is a wonderful opportunity to not only show off your community, but also to gain exposure to a broader network of industry volunteers, professionals, and business partners."
Your community could win one of the following awards this year:
Winners from the previous year (2025) are not eligible to compete in the 2026 contest.
Community Association of the Year Award
- Based on size, four winners will be selected to receive this award.
- Very Large Community Association of the Year (1,000+ units)
- Large Community Association of the Year (500 - 999 units)
- Medium Community Association of the Year (150 - 499 units)
- Small Community Association of the Year (1 - 149 units)
Communicator of the Year Award
- One winner will be selected to receive this award.
Charitable Community of the Year Award
- One winner will be selected to receive this award.
Check out previous winners and read the essays from their applications.
Submit an Application Today
Tip: Gather the necessary information about your community prior to beginning an application.
(View an application's questions all at once by clicking "View Application Questions" from under any application below.)
Community Association of the Year
Awarded to the community associations that best demonstrate excellence in all facets of association operations and governance by following CAI’s Best Practices.
➜ View Application Questions
➜ Begin Application
Communicator of the Year
Awarded to the community association that best demonstrates commitment to CAI’s best practices in both educating and informing members through accurate and relevant information, and receiving member feedback in accordance with guidelines and principles as set forth by CAI GAP Report on Communications.
➜ View Application Questions
➜ Begin Application
Charitable Community of the Year
Awarded to the community association that best demonstrates exemplary service to the community outside their own association. Applicants shall be judged for outstanding service to the community in areas of community service and charitable works.
➜ View Application Questions
➜ Begin Application
We encourage applicants to consider selecting a representative who would attend and present your best practices as a winning 2026 community association at the annual Washington Metropolitan Chapter CAI Conference & Expo. Winning communities will also be featured in WMCCAI's Quorum magazine!
SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR THE 2026 PROGRAM IS OCTOBER 31, 2026!
Does your community want to apply for the Community Association of the Year award but aren’t sure where to start?
View our previously recorded CAY Orientation featuring both past winners and current judges as they discuss the in’s and out’s of the Community Association of the Year Awards, including helpful tips and common mistakes to avoid when filling out the application.
CAY Winners