As we celebrated the country's 250th anniversary, our All-America Cities are a reminder of the nation’s resilience in the face of adversity. Whether it’s overcoming natural disasters, personal struggles, or political confrontation by outsiders, this year’s AAC finalists, the communities that competed for this year’s award, showed the power of community in overcoming challenges. Read more.

Doug Linkhart

President

National Civic League

Your 2026

All-America Cities!

Fireside Chat: Reimagining Civic Life in America

Snohomish County Shows Us What Civics Looks Like

The National Civic League announced the recipients of the 2026 All-America City Award, recognizing communities that are strengthening civic health and building trust as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. Twenty finalist communities were selected through a rigorous application process before gathering in Denver to share ideas, learn from national civic leaders, and present their work to a distinguished jury. After careful deliberation, the jury selected ten communities as this year's All-America City winners. Read more.

The #AAC2026 opening ceremony featured a fireside chat, Reimagining Civic Life in America, moderated by Vice President Matt Leighninger and featuring Cristin Brawner, Shamichael Hallman, and Evan Weissman. These leaders helped us consider what becomes possible when civic health is pursued not just through policy and programs, but in library branches, deliberative circles, and community gatherings where neighbors are rediscovering what it means to shape the places they call home. Watch the recording. 

Snohomish County recently concluded its Civic Assembly, bringing together a randomly selected, demographically representative group of residents to develop recommendations on the government's use of artificial intelligence. Facilitated by the National Civic League's Civic Genius team, participants spent roughly 40 hours hearing from experts, deliberating on policy options, and refining proposals before presenting a final set of recommendations to the county council. Read more.

Better Block: Turning Civic Engagement Into Action

Bread to Spread the Vote: Local Voter Outreach

Kingston, NY Charter Review Commission

Better Block is an urban design nonprofit that helps communities transform civic engagement into visible action. By bringing residents, local governments, businesses, and community organizations together to test ideas in public spaces, Better Block strengthens civic participation, builds trust, and creates momentum for lasting change. Its demonstration-based approach reimagines streets and open spaces as places where neighbors connect, collaborate, and help shape the future of their communities. Read more.

Spread the Vote's Bread to Spread the Vote program helps grassroots organizations increase voter participation through flexible microgrants and nonpartisan support. By funding locally led outreach and providing resources such as voter education materials and transportation assistance, the program empowers trusted community groups to engage voters in ways that reflect local needs. The initiative demonstrates how neighborhood-driven efforts can strengthen civic participation and democracy. Read more.

The City of Kingston and the National Civic League have partnered to design and facilitate a city charter commission, marking the first comprehensive review of the city's charter in more than 30 years. The process will include a community survey, civic lottery selection for commission members, public conversations, and a referendum in late 2027. Kingston may become the first U.S. city to formally adopt the practice of civic lottery requirements into law for establishing a municipal charter review commission. Read more.