What Works Cities Certification

WHAT WORKS CITIES CERTIFICATION IS THE NATIONAL STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR WELL-MANAGED, DATA-DRIVEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Certification helps cities benchmark their progress and develop a roadmap for using data and evidence to drive effective change and deliver results for residents. By recognizing local governments excelling in this work, the program provides models others can learn from. Read more about the inaugural group of cities to achieve Certification by clicking the photos below.

CERTIFIED CITIES

Five cities were also selected for the Certification Honor Roll. They are up-and-coming leaders in data-driven governance and are on the path to Certification.

  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Providence, Rhode Island
  • Scottsdale, Arizona
  • South Bend, Indiana
  • Topeka, Kansas

HOW CERTIFICATION WORKS

Certification sets a standard of excellence through criteria that outline the people, processes, and policies foundational to a well-managed city. (View the new 2018 Certification criteria here.) A team from Results for America, along with experts on the Certification Standard Committee, conducts an assessment in which local governments earn a point for each criterion they satisfy. If the total number of points earned is high enough, a local government can achieve one of three tiers of Certification: silver, gold, or platinum. All local governments that undergo the assessment better understand their strengths and weaknesses and receive support to drive stronger outcomes for their community. Want to get started? Learn about the five steps your city can take to begin working toward Certification here.

Local governments are GOOD at understanding data, tracking progress, and using data and evidence to make decisions.

Local governments are GREAT at understanding data, tracking progress, and using data and evidence to inform decisions.

Local governments SET THE PRECEDENT in understanding data, tracking progress, and using data and evidence to inform decisions.

WHY CERTIFICATION?

HOW TO APPLY

What Works Cities Certification is open to all U.S. cities with a population of 30,000 or more. Certified cities are announced annually. Cities earning Certification must reapply, at a minimum, every three years to maintain their certified status.

If your city is interested in learning more about What Works Cities Certification, we invite you to fill out the form below. Please contact certification@whatworkscities.org with any questions.

STATE YOUR INTEREST