The All-America City Award recognizes communities that leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness and innovation to successfully address local issues.

The National Civic League proudly announces the 2025 All-America City Award (AAC) recipients. This year, ten communities were recognized for their transformative, community-driven efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability and for their civic infrastructure—the network of relationships, partnerships, and capacities driving effective decision-making and problem-solving.

Akron, Ohio
Carrboro, North Carolina
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Hampton, Virginia
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Kinston, North Carolina
Memphis, Tennessee
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Seattle, Washington
Tallahassee, Florida

This year’s recipients demonstrated exceptional civic capital and a commitment to strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement. These cities and regions are being recognized for their ability to bring people together, create positive change, and build thriving, resilient communities.

Earlier this year, communities from across the country submitted written applications showcasing their efforts to bring people together, create positive change, and build thriving, resilient communities. The field was narrowed to twenty finalists and this week, these finalist communities traveled to Denver, Colorado, where they connected and shared insights with peers, learned from national thought leaders, and presented their work to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders. Recipients were evaluated across six key criteria:

• Shared Vision
• Civic Engagement
• Inclusiveness and Equity
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Impact

After careful deliberation, the jury selected ten winning communities, which were announced during a lively closing ceremony.

We’d also like to recognize the communities that were named as finalists:

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Austin, Texas
Delray Beach, Florida
Denver, Colorado
Englewood, Colorado
Leominster, Massachusetts
Petaluma, California
Snyder, Texas
Statesboro, Georgia
Western Riverside Region, California

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.

“Communities thrive when all residents are active and engaged in the policies and decisions that shape their lives. These communities are breaking down barriers to meaningful participation and enacting programs that are creating sustainable and resilient communities.”

– The National Civic League’s President, Doug Linkhart

Learn more about the All-America City Award