Neighborhoods are an essential aspect of local democracy, and for neighborhood groups to be truly democratic, there are at least five core principles they should embody: Representation: Do they reflect...
“We have to keep driving. It’s going to take courage.” “Until hearts and minds are changed, we have to keep doing the work.” “Leaders have to shift strategies to still...
Civic health is the foundation of thriving communities, shaping how residents connect, trust institutions, and engage with their surroundings. Strong civic health leads to better physical health, higher employment, and...
Since June, the National Civic League team has been crisscrossing the country to celebrate the incredible communities named 2025 All-America City Award winners. Here’s a snapshot of the joy, pride,...
More than 60 community foundation CEOs and senior leaders from across the country gathered in Chicago on September 30, 2025, for Community Foundations for Civic Health: Live in Chicago!, a...
While national politics is engendering increased distrust of government and political violence, local governments are finding new routes for de-escalation, civility, and problem-solving. Violence should never be tolerated, whether it’s...
A new national survey finds that while many Americans feel left out of local decision-making and disconnected from their neighbors, they remain eager for better ways to participate. The findings...
Last week, residents of New York’s 25th congressional district joined their congressman, Rep. Joe Morelle, for an experiment in democracy. (Thanks to WXXI, Rochester, NY’s NPR station for its coverage!) ...
The Neighborhood Design Center’s Equitable Engagement Toolkit: Prioritizing Equity in the Community Design Process is a curated library of 51 resources designed to help practitioners put equity at the center...
