What Works Cities Certification

WHAT WORKS CITIES CERTIFICATION RECOGNIZES AND CELEBRATES U.S. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE LEADING THE NATION IN THE USE OF DATA AND EVIDENCE TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPROVE SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS.

By rewarding achievements and providing a clear path to excellence, What Works Cities Certification supports local leaders in leveraging what works to deliver unprecedented results for their residents. We encourage all U.S. cities with a population above 30,000 to take the first step in understanding where they stand and what their next steps are to making even more progress for their communities. Please take a minute to let us know you’re interested in joining by submitting your information by May 1.

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HOW CERTIFICATION WORKS

When a city applies for What Works Cities Certification, its practices and policies are assessed across a number of criteria aligned with the What Works Cities Standard. For each criterion assessed, a local government earns points that reflect the presence and caliber of each policy or practice. A team from Results for America, along with its assembled experts, will conduct the assessments. Only local governments that are certified will be announced publicly–we will not announce applicant cities. Based on the total number of points earned, a local government can achieve one of three Certification tiers:

Local governments are good at understanding data, tracking process, and using data and evidence to make decisions.
  • Local governments work across at least two components of the What Works Cities Standard

Local governments are great at understanding data, tracking progress, and using data and evidence to inform decisions.
  • Local governments work across at least three components of the What Works Cities Standard

Local governments set the precedent in understanding data, tracking progress, and using data and evidence to inform decisions.
  • Local governments work across all components of the What Works Cities Standard

KEY DATES

WHY CERTIFICATION?

HOW TO APPLY

What Works Cities Certification is currently open to all U.S. cities with a population of 30,000 or more. Certified cities will be announced annually, and any cities that do not initially qualify can reapply every other year. Cities earning Certification must reapply, at a minimum, every three years to maintain Certification status.

If your city is interested in beginning its your journey to obtaining What Works Cities Certification, we invite you to get started. Please contact certification@whatworkscities.org with any questions.

STATE YOUR INTEREST