The All-America City Award recognizes communities that leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness and innovation to successfully address local issues.
Watch the VideoCongratulations to the 2026 All-America City Finalists!
The National Civic League is excited to announce the 2026 All-America City Award (AAC) finalists! As the nation marks 250 years since its founding, the 2026 All-America City Award is recognizing communities that are bringing the ideal of a government of, by, and for the people to life. This year’s AAC finalists are being recognized for their efforts to strengthen civic health and build trust. Finalists were selected through a rigorous application process, with an external review committee carefully assessing each community across six criteria.
Your 2026 AAC Finalists are…
Bowling Green-Warren County, Kentucky
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Conway, South Carolina
Franklin, Tennessee
Grand Island, Nebraska
Harlingen, Texas
Huntsville, Alabama
Jenks, Oklahoma
Monrovia, California
Montgomery, Alabama
Morrisville, North Carolina
Norfolk, Virginia
North Charleston, South Carolina
Opa-locka, Florida
River Forest, Illinois
Riviera Beach, Florida
Roanoke, Virginia
Stow, Ohio
Wichita, Kansas
Woodburn, Oregon
Finalists will now prepare for the next stage of the competition—the All-America City Award Event in Denver this June—where they will bring their written applications to life in the form of ten-minute presentations, showcasing the impact of their civic health efforts.
In the coming months we’ll be spotlighting each of this year’s finalists, providing summaries of their work and highlighting how they are strengthening civic health and building trust in their communities. Stay tuned!
The All-America City Award event is an awards ceremony and networking event unlike any other! Through concrete examples, interactive discussions, and finalist presentations – attendees walk away with the knowledge, skills, contacts, and inspiration you need to better strengthen your community.
The award, typically given to 10 communities each year, celebrates and recognizes neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, tribes and regions that engage residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges.
“This year’s All-America City finalists remind us that the strength of democracy depends on engaged residents who are invested in shaping the future of the places they call home. As the nation marks 250 years since its founding, these communities are proving that civic health is improved block by block, through trust, belonging, and the collective power of people working together.”
– The National Civic League’s President, Doug Linkhart
Learn more about the All-America City Award
View All Past Winners
Interested in applying?
Communities have found civic strength and growth as a result of winning the award and gain a better understanding of civic excellence through the year-long application process. In applying communities reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, challenges and the progress they have made.
Learn How To ApplyWebinars, Interviews and Speeches
This page includes webinars, interviews and speeches covering promising practices around the country. The free monthly Promising Practices Webinar series highlights successful projects around the country with speakers from cities implementing creative strategies for civic engagement. These webinars are free and open to anyone who is interested in creating stronger communities. The National Civic League's interview series includes conversations with elected officials, civic engagement experts, figures important to our history and others. Recorded speeches allow you to re-live the keynote addresses of past All-America City awards events and conferences.
View the Webinar Archive
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