Protecting our democratic ideals and principles are more important than ever. Next week, join us for a webinar to learn more about research that informs strengthening trust in local government and democracy. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/o2KvImkJT8Kit9YDwp0OIA#/

August's Newsletter from the National Civic League is out now! Read how the newly formed Civic-Scholars Council, formed by Braver Angels, is discussing ways to strengthen democracy around the country. Explore different highlights and initiatives in our latest newsletter: https://conta.cc/4bmXazE

Spread The Vote is investing directly in local leaders who are building stronger, more engaged communities through nonpartisan civic participation. Learn more and donate here! https://www.spreadthevote.org/breadtospread

Congratulations once again to Franklin on being a 2026 All-America City! Franklin celebrated this honor at Franklin Tomorrow's Breakfast with Mayors. Read more about how Franklin builds civic trust: https://ow.ly/B0Az50ZuqNj #AAC2026, #democracy, #civicengagement

This week, the League's Better Public Meetings NYC project hosted a public session in New York City where members discussed neighborhood democracy. The objective of the meeting was for those in attendance to reflect and discuss on how boards operate. #democracy #betterpublicmeetings

This week, the Mayors Innovation Project is hosting its Summer 2026 meeting in Madison, WI. League VP Matt Leighninger will be on a panel that explores actionable strategies to build civic muscle through efforts that simplify systems and build trust! Read more here: https://ow.ly/nL6B50Zrnr8

Congratulations once again to City of Norfolk Government on being a 2026 All-America City! The enthusiasm and energy Norfolk had in Denver was infectious, and they have carried that energy to their own celebration back in Virginia.

❗New Interview ❗ The League's Managing Director for the Center for Government Innovation Nick Vlahos sat down with HeroX to discuss new approaches to civic engagement and rethinking democratic innovation. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8ogH1Y5EVo

📅Mark your calendars for United Against Hate Week on October 18–24! Communities across the country will come together to affirm that everyone belongs and deserves to be safe from hate and bias. Learn more here: https://www.unitedagainsthateweek.org/

How do communities get the resources they need to get-out-to-vote in a way that works for them? Spread the Vote's 'Bread to Spread the Vote' microgrants provide up to $1,000 to support creative, nonpartisan, community-led voter outreach. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/WXSE50ZonQq

How can democracy be strengthened by working at the intersection of civic engagement and economic mobility? The League and the Local Policy Lab explored this question and more at a recent webinar. Watch here: https://ow.ly/RFQT50ZnmLb

As we're reflecting on a fantastic #AAC2026, read from Jim Hunt, Executive VP of Bearing Advisors and AAC juror, on what being the All-America City Awards means to him: https://ow.ly/6jbt50Zmxlt Check out highlights from the Opening Ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2l2l-JJ1bI&t=2642s

All-America Cities and a Full-Circle Journey

Later this month, I will travel to Denver, Colorado, for an experience I never imagined when I was a young boy growing up in Clarksburg. I have been asked to serve as a juror for the prestigious All-America City Award program, sponsored by the National Civic League. It is an honor that has caused me [...]

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July's newsletter from the National Civic League is out now! Read how this year's #AAC2026 finalist communities expemplify our nation's resilience over the last 250 years. Explore various highlights, initiatives, and more in our latest #newsletter: https://ow.ly/uuMs50ZlGcw

A new piece in the Fulcrum from League President Doug Linkhart explores how five-time All-America City winner New Haven, CT, is continuously bolstering its youth leadership programs that focus on people from low-income communities. Read here: https://ow.ly/KioV50ZkMLr

The All-America City Approach: How New Haven, CT, Empowers Its Youth to Succeed

New Haven, CT, has a long history of addressing the overall needs and assets of young people to help kids succeed. A five-time All-America City, the city boasts strong out-of-school programs and a history of focusing on the wellbeing of young people from low-income populations that stretches back ov...

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We are still soaking in the magic of the 2026 All-America City Award event. A HUGE congratulations to the #AAC2026 winners! https://conta.cc/3QpVdv4

In a new piece with Public News Service, League Vice President Matt Leighninger spoke about how the Better Public Meetings NYC initiative is examining ways to improve resident civic participation in New York City. Read here: https://ow.ly/IIeX50ZgiJF?

As the country is marking July 4th and America250., take a free, short, nonpartisan Harvard online course on the U.S. Constitution that is open to everyone: https://bit.ly/FreeCourseHarvard

In a time of growing polarization, building common ground is more important than ever. Council on Foundations' Building Together conference equipped leaders to navigate differences and strengthen communities. Read key lessons from Kristen Scott Kennedy: https://ow.ly/nFoG50Zcr81

8 Keys to Working Across Differences

How do we bring Americans together? Nonprofit and philanthropy leaders on the front lines of division offer answers from the field.

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AAC 2026 finalists will present their civic health efforts to a distinguished panel of jurors, including civic engagement practitioners, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, and youth representatives. Meet the jurors here: https://ow.ly/HGJX50Z8XII

✋Don’t click. Count! Pause and take 9️⃣ seconds before you click, download, or share. Learn more at https://pausetake9.org/

June’s newsletter from the National Civic League is out now! Explore election trust, #AAC2026 speakers and jurors, Better Public Meetings NYC, Raleigh’s civic assembly, United Against Hate Week, and new work helping cities prepare for the 2026 midterms. Read more: https://conta.cc/4uFYrcA

Debates are essential to a healthy democracy. In their National Civic Review article, Justin Eckstein and William Keith explore how more inclusive and accessible debates can strengthen public deliberation and civic engagement. Read here: https://ow.ly/fcvp50YXNTW

The Gahanna Foundation is recruiting grades 10–12 students for its “Doctors of Democracy” initiative in Gahanna. Participants will support voter outreach and civic engagement efforts while earning volunteer hours or paid experience. Applications due June 22. Read more: https://ow.ly/2oMf50Z3kxn

The spread of misinformation has fueled polarization and weakened trust in public institutions. In John Gastil’s National Civic Review article, he explores how civic infrastructure and digital innovation can help combat misinformation. Read here: https://ow.ly/1pYi50YXNRW

Responding to Misinformation Through Resilient Civic Infrastructure - National Civic League

Countering misinformation in the public sphere requires more than just a savvy social media team at City Hall. The best approach begins by reconceptualizing misinformation not as a media strategy puzzle but as a civic infrastructure problem.

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Participatory budgeting has grown into a mainstream governance tool worldwide. In our latest newsletter, the League's Nick Vlahos examines a recent study on how citizen participation in budgeting can strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust. Read here: https://ow.ly/KKek50Z2cQM

Participatory Budgeting: What the Evidence Really Shows About Transparency, Trust, and Fiscal Discipline - National Civic League

Participatory budgeting (PB) has moved from a niche democracy innovation to a mainstream governance tool, now used in thousands of cities worldwide. A recent international study by Merrick Langdon, Harlow Pickens, Grace Nakato & Bhavana Nayak examining participatory budgeting initiatives between 2020 and 2024 provides one of the most comprehensive empirical assessments to date of how citizen involvement...

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Five-time All-America City Award winner Hampton has long been a leader in civic engagement. In League President Doug Linkhart’s latest article for the National Civic League's National Civic Review, he explores Hampton’s model for community-centered governance. Read here: https://ow.ly/tZlO50Z1JEA

Earlier at the ICMA Local Government Reimagined Conference, the League's Laura Wood shared findings from the Local Policy Lab's forthcoming case study on Philadelphia’s election preparedness efforts, highlighting strategies around transparency, voter communication, accessibility, and public trust.

Public libraries are about more than books—they foster trust, opportunity, learning, and community. In Shamichael Hallman’s article for the National Civic League’s National Civic Review, he explores how libraries help communities navigate a changing world: https://ow.ly/srB350YXNIr

Better Public Meetings is now live in NYC! In partnership with the New York City Civic Engagement Commission, Perfect City, and ActiVote, this initiative aims to make public meetings more inclusive, productive, and meaningful for New Yorkers. Read more here: https://ow.ly/pz0z50YZ8rl

Florida has more than 400 civic and democracy organizations, yet most have never connected. That changes tomorrow. Join the National Civic League for a free statewide virtual conversation (May 13, 1–2 PM ET) to meet peers and exchange best practices. 👉 Register here: https://ow.ly/977r50YULEL