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

All-America Leader Award

To celebrate the work of civically engaged community members, the National Civic League launched the the All-America Leader Award to recognize an individual’s outstanding civic contribution to their community.

Winners will be announced in April 2023 and recognized through the League’s website, newsletter and social media channels. Winners will also be invited to participate and be recognized at the All-America City awards event. Recipients will be invited to make a presentation about their work during workshops at the awards event, will be featured in the League’s Promising Practices Database and potentially in the National Civic Review. 

Eligibility:

The National Civic League’s All-America Leader Award seeks to recognize individuals who have successfully spearheaded civic engagement efforts in their community. All individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, political affiliation, employment status or any other factor are eligible to be nominated.

Nomination Process:

Applicants must be nominated by a third party to be considered; self-nominations will not be accepted. To nominate someone for the All-America Leader Award, submit a letter not to exceed 500 words describing how the nominated leader meets the following award criteria. Up to two letters of support may be submitted as well.

Criteria:

1. Exemplifies the All-America City criteria of impact, inclusiveness, innovation, collaboration, equity and civic engagement.
2. Has had an impact on the wider community (i.e. What difference did they make?).
3. Inspired others to get involved to undertake comparable efforts.
4. Demonstrates the insight and courage to collaborate across lines that usually divide people.

Nomination letters must be submitted as an attachment by email to aac@ncl.org by March 27, 2023. If two letters are being sent on behalf of the same nominee, they should be packaged into one email. Letters should not include photos or external links.

Contact AAC@NCL.org with questions.

Past Winners

Jeremy Burnside, Portsmouth, OH (2022)

Hon. Roy Buol, Dubuque, IA (2022)