DENVER (Sept. 5, 2017) – The National Civic League is accepting applications from communities that have included diverse voices in problem-solving or promoted equitable practices and solutions to apply for the 2018 All-America City Award.
The 2018 focus was chosen, in part, to bring attention to the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act as well as the Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (more commonly known as the Kerner Commission).
With this framing in mind, the National Civic League is particularly interested in learning about community projects that: promote positive community-police relations; promote racial healing and dialogues on race; expand government and institutional representation and access; further educational equity in the community; create affordable and safe housing; reduce poverty; increase job readiness and employment; focus on restorative justice; seek equitable transportation access; promote or ensure access to healthy food and/or to safe and healthy natural environments.
“The process of applying for the award provides an opportunity to mobilize local groups to work together and display on a national stage the people and projects that make our communities a great place to live, work and play,” Sarah Lipscomb, All-America City Award Director, said. “The League looks forward to recognizing and sharing cities’ innovative practices and programs that are moving the needle on creating equitable communities.”
Started in 1949, the All-America City Award program has recognized 500 communities that excel in collaborating to address pressing problems in the community. Described by George H. Gallup as the “Nobel Prize for constructive citizenship,” the award celebrates exemplary grassroots community problem-solving and honors communities that united to achieve stunning results.
In West Virginia, 6 have won the All-America City Award. You can view the full list here (http://www.nationalcivicleague.org/previous-all-america-city-winners/)
Cities interested in applying for the All-America City Award should submit a letter of intent to apply by
October 18th, which saves applicants $100 on the application fee, please note a letter of intent is not required to apply. The application can be downloaded at (http://www.nationalcivicleague.org/aac-2018/) and is due February 28, 2018. Communities are free to use the resources (http://www.nationalcivicleague.org/aac-2018-resources/ ) page to help your community apply for the All-America City Award (http://www.nationalcivicleague.org/aboutaac/).
The All-America City Award (AAC) is given each year by the National Civic League (NCL) to 10 communities in recognition of their outstanding civic accomplishments. The award spurs communities to use innovative approaches to create stronger connections between residents and nonprofit and government leaders. The AAC Award celebrates those efforts and becomes a platform for sharing innovation, inspiration and insight with other communities throughout the country.
About: Founded in 1894, the National Civic League is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance civic engagement to achieve thriving, equitable communities. Based in Denver, the League offers a variety of services to local governments, including the National Civic Review, Model City Charter and its Civic Index. The National Civic League also operates the program for the All-America City Awards, which 500 communities have won since 1949, and provides technical assistance to communities.
