Great American Main Street Awards

Winners represent the diversity of communities in the Main Street America network — small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts from every region in the country — and demonstrate the power of the Main Street Approach™. Since the inception of the Great American Main Street Awards in 1995, over 115 Main Street programs have been honored.

Eligibility: All Accredited Main Street America programs, with an active Main Street membership and that have not previously won, are eligible to apply for GAMSA.

Application: Eligible communities are invited to submit completed applications and the application fee of $150 between Monday, May 19-Friday, July 11, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Learn about payment methods here >

Application Resources: We are pleased to provide a preview of the application, response rubrics, and document upload templates as resources for applicants:
Application Preview (PDF)
Board Matrix Template (.xlsx)
Reinvestment Stats Rubric (.xlsx)
Budget Rubric (.xlsx)
Photo Ledger Template (.xlsx)

Informational Webinar: This webinar was held on Wednesday, June 4. Click here to watch the recording (registration required); download a copy of the presentation slides here. 

Selection Criteria: Semifinalists and winners are selected from a nationwide pool of applicants by a jury of Main Street professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development and historic preservation. Criteria for winning GAMSA include: strength of the Main Street program in spurring community transformation, commitment to historic preservation, innovative programming, implementation of cross-sector partnerships, community outreach and stakeholder engagement, and ensuring their downtown districts are for everyone. 

Accolades & Ceremony: Semifinalists are promoted through Main Street America’s digital channels and receive media relations support. Winners also receive a short documentary film, a plaque, communications and media relations support, prominent placement on the Main Street America website for two years, and recognition at the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Questions: Email gamsa@​mainstreet.​org