Each year Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute (WMCCAI) holds a Community Association of the Year contest to recognize those communities that best demonstrate excellence in all facets of association operations and governance by following Community Associations Institute's Best Practices. There were four size categories: Very Large (1,000+ units), Large (500-999 units), Medium (150-499 units) and Small (1-149 units).

 

In 2014, Dunbarton was recognized as the Medium-Sized Community Association of the Year.

 

Additional award categories included the Humanitarian of the Year Award. This award is given to a community, regardless of size, that best demonstrates exemplary service to the community outside its own association. Applicants are judged for outstanding service to the community in areas of community service and charitable works.

 

In 2012 Dunbarton was the runner-up in the Humanitarian of the Year category.