All-America City Award
The All-America City Award, given by the National Civic League, is the oldest community recognition program in the nation. The Award, bestowed yearly on 10 communities recognizes the work of communities in using inclusive civic engagement to address critical issues and create stronger connections among residents, businesses and nonprofit and government leaders. Once called the “Nobel Prize for constructive citizenship” – it has been awarded to more than 500 communities across the country. The Award is open to all American communities, from major cities, counties and regions to tribes, neighborhoods, towns and villages. In applying, communities reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, challenges and the progress they have made.
Each year hundreds of leaders, volunteers, and young people from the finalist communities travel to Denver to present the story of their work and their community to a jury of national experts. The awards conference includes workshops on promising practices.
Since the program's inception in 1949, more than 500 communities have been named All-America Cities.[1] Each year, interested communities submit a comprehensive package based on published criteria that are evaluated in the award selection process.[2] Deserving communities are named as finalists, and the year's ten award winners are named from that pool of applicants.[3]
2018 award
The 2018 All-America City Awards focus on inclusive engagement practices that promote equity and bring all voices to the table to help solve the country’s most pressing and complex issues. With this spotlight, National Civic League hopes to learn more about the inclusive decision-making processes that communities use to solve complex problems and move toward more equitable communities.
2018 All-America City applicants have focused on 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 2018 All-America City Awards coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (more commonly known as the Kerner Commission). The report, published in 1968, concluded with "It is time to make good the promises of American democracy to all citizens – urban and rural, white, black, Spanish surname, American Indians, and every minority group."[4]
2018 winners
Each of the following winning communities demonstrated civic engagement practices that are inspirational, inclusive and promising in their ability to unite members of the community to collectively and collaboratively help solve the country’s most pressing and complex issues.
Springdale, AR – Chosen for creating the Committee for Civic Engagement and Inclusion and initiating work on city-wide initiatives to incorporate people of color and new Americans into civic life, resulting in a revitalized downtown, active youth council and free food pantries for residents in need.
Stockton, CA – Stockton’s efforts to build a culture of engagement have resulted in community-based programs and systems that are healing decades of trauma for individuals and communities, empowering students who have been historically marginalized and providing new pathways to higher education.
Longmont, CO – Through recognizing the diversity of its population, and bringing more community members to the table, Longmont has been able to identify and address community needs creatively and cooperatively from mental health to disaster relief.
Decatur, GA – Continuing its commitment to civic engagement, Decatur is actively seeking to build an equitable and inclusive experience for its residents and visitors, focusing on racially-just community policing and building diverse and affordable housing.
Las Vegas, NV – Las Vegas provides residents, stakeholders, staff and elected officials with a collective vision and plans for a future of income equality and economic mobility, building programs and services that remove barriers and address challenges faced by their most vulnerable youth.
Charlotte, NC – Following reports showing economic inequity in the city, and a police shooting in late 2016, the City of Charlotte engaged thousands of residents in one-on-one conversations and community meetings. This has resulted in partnerships that have built a more skilled workforce, reduced teen crime and invested in infrastructure in neighborhoods in need.
Kershaw County, SC – Kershaw County embraces the changing faces of its rapidly growing community, balancing its rural past and suburban future, with its business owners, residents and elected officials reflecting that diversity and building programs to ensure equity in healthcare, education and economic growth.
Mount Pleasant, SC – Mount Pleasant is employing a balance of outreach from city departments and officials and engagement with community members through partnerships, dialogue and forums, resulting in youth participation in the Reading Patrol Program and streamlined navigation through the planning process.
El Paso, TX – El Paso built upon the City’s 2015Strategic Plan to conduct a year-long community outreach process that reached more than 70,000 people and has led to an Advanced Leadership Training program for graduates of The Neighborhood Leadership Academy, partnerships to increase training and adult education, and creative implementation of the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program to serve more than 4,000 families.
San Antonio, TX – The Office of Equity, in partnership with the nonprofit, SA2020, applied data from an Equity Impact Assessment to seven high-impact City initiatives, seeing positive results in higher involvement from Latino residents, an increased number of residents enrolled in health insurance programs, reduced incidents of teen pregnancy and progress in adult education initiatives.
Finalists
These finalists represent the diversity of American communities from the largest cities to the smallest towns, from east to west and north to south. Finalist communities include the 7th largest city in America (San Antonio) and a town of only 22,000 people (Decatur, GA). The 20 finalists share a common bond of working to create equitable communities through inclusive civic engagement.
Placentia, CA – Finalist because of the encouragement of active engagement across the community in meetings, discussions and task forces that have brought about revitalization, collaborative partnerships, and fiscal sustainability recommendations to guide the city decision makers.
Battle Creek, MI – Recognizing the power of existing residential groups, Battle Creek is engaging residents through a neighborhood ambassador program, building leadership capacity among its youth, and working with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to address historic and contemporary effects of racism and improve economic conditions.
Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati’s formal commitment to civic engagement, seen in city staffing and the organization of community groups, has led to plans to assist vulnerable neighborhoods in going green, platforms for information sharing and engagement training and reduction of crime in targeted neighborhoods.
Beaverton, OR – Beaverton Organizing and Leadership Development (BOLD) is a unique and dedicated space for immigrants, refugees and other people of color to discover their common goals and struggles, build leadership capacity, gain community organizing and advocacy skills, and strengthen cross-cultural understanding.
Allentown, PA – Allentown is undertaking several redevelopment efforts and is engaging residents every step of the way. They partnered with outside agencies on developing the national training model on police relations with the LGBTQ community, published a guide in 12 different languages for all newcomers and provided critical job training to all residents in need.
Columbia, SC – The city government has been assessing and addressing its community needs, developing programs to serve minority and women-owned businesses, connect police officers with community members and revitalize areas affected by flooding and neglect.
Pasco, WA – Pasco has embraced its diversity by developing inclusionary practices that have changed their election process to enable broader representation, built training and problem solving tools to enhance police community relations and enlisted a resident committee to guide the Economic Strategic Vision. Project details.
Tacoma, WA – Faced with a history of community distrust, anger and grief, Tacoma has chosen to invest in equity both internally and externally. They have established the Office of Equity and Human Rights, developed a Handbook for Recruiting, Hiring & Retention and established programs to ensure on-going community input and engagement.
2017 winners
On June 16th, 2017 15 U.S. communities were honored with the 2017 All-America City Award for their civic engagement to help more young children from low-income families achieve grade-level proficiency and early school success.[5]
- Springdale, AR
- Avondale, AZ
- Stockton, CA
- New Britain, CT
- Delray Beach, FL
- Suncoast (Sarasota & Manatee Counties), FL
- Council Bluffs, IA
- Des Moines, IA
- Dubuque, IA
- Springfield, MA
- Kansas City, MO
- Montgomery County-Dayton, OH
- Lane County, OR
- San Antonio, TX
- Roanoke, VA
Community benefits
Benefits of winning the All-America City Award include:
- Economic Stimulus: All-America City finalists and winners find it easier to attract and retain businesses that generate jobs and a stronger tax base. They also attract and retain residents who want a healthy community. Finalists and winners also have seen an increase in tourism and grants.
- Community Pride: he award has reinvigorated communities with a new sense of pride, accomplishment and teamwork. People are proud to live in an All-America City and they work to live up to that label and to maintain such a high standard.
- Community Collaboration: The application process itself encourages communities to evaluate themselves and fosters new partnerships. People often say they learned more about the great work taking place in their community because of the application process than they ever imagined.
- National Recognition: Winning the All-America City Award raises the profile of local efforts and puts communities on a national stage. Winners join an elite network of communities that can proudly call themselves an All-America City. And once a community wins, it’s always an All-America City. We hear regularly about communities that still celebrate and take pride in winning even after 40 years or more.
Multiple winners
Communities winning this award more than two times are listed below.
Past winners
The following cities have received the All-America City Award from the National Civic League.[6][7][8]
| Community | State(s) | Year | Multiple Wins (or closely located municipalities sharing an award) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springdale | Arkansas | 2018 | Two-time winner |
| Stockton | California | 2018 | Four-time winner |
| Longmont | Colorado | 2018 | Two-time winner |
| Decatur | Georgia | 2018 | |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | 2018 | |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | 2018 | Two-time winner |
| Kershaw County | South Carolina | 2018 | |
| Mount Pleasant | South Carolina | 2018 | Two-time winner |
| El Paso | Texas | 2018 | Three-time winner |
| San Antonio | Texas | 2018 | Seven-time winner |
| Springdale | Arkansas | 2017 | Two-time winner |
| Avondale | Arizona | 2017 | |
| Stockton | California | 2017 | Four-time winner |
| New Britain | Connecticut | 2017 | Two-time winner |
| Delray Beach | Florida | 2017 | Three-time winner |
| Suncoast (Sarasota & Manatee Counties) | Florida | 2017 | |
| Council Bluffs | Iowa | 2017 | |
| Des Moines | Iowa | 2017 | Six-time winner |
| Dubuque | Iowa | 2017 | Four-time winner |
| Springfield | Massachusetts | 2017 | Two-time winner |
| Kansas City | Missouri | 2017 | Six-time winner |
| Montgomery County-Dayton | Ohio | 2017 | |
| Lane County | Oregon | 2017 | |
| San Antonio | Texas | 2017 | Seven-time winner |
| Roanoke | Virginia | 2017 | |
| Asheboro | North Carolina | 2016 | |
| Brown Deer | Wisconsin | 2016 | |
| Columbia Heights | Minnesota | 2016 | |
| Fall River | Massachusetts | 2016 | Two-time winner |
| Hartsville | South Carolina | 2016 | Two-time winner |
| Hayward | California | 2016 | |
| Lakewood | Colorado | 2016 | Two-time winner |
| New Britain | Connecticut | 2016 | Two-time winner |
| Norfolk | Virginia | 2016 | Three-time winner |
| San Antonio | Texas | 2016 | Seven-time winner |
| Carson | California | 2015 | |
| Salinas | California | 2015 | |
| Stockton | California | 2015 | Four-time winner |
| Tallahassee | Florida | 2015 | Two-time winner |
| Somerville | Massachusetts | 2015 | Three-time winner |
| Tupelo | Mississippi | 2015 | Five-time winner |
| Geneva | New York | 2015 | |
| Marshall | Texas | 2015 | Two-time winner |
| Spokane | Washington | 2015 | Three-time winner |
| Yakima | Washington | 2015 | Two-time winner |
| Brownsville | Texas | 2014 | Two-time winner |
| Fort Lauderdale | Florida | 2014 | |
| Montgomery | Alabama | 2014 | |
| San Pablo | California | 2014 | Two-time winner |
| Cedar Rapids | Iowa | 2014 | |
| Chelsea | Massachusetts | 2014 | Two-time winner |
| Brush | Colorado | 2014 | |
| Independence | Oregon | 2014 | |
| Hampton | Virginia | 2014 | Three-time winner |
| Eau Claire | Wisconsin | 2014 | |
| Birmingham | Alabama | 2013 | Two-time winner |
| Downey | California | 2013 | |
| Montrose | Colorado | 2013 | |
| Peoria | Illinois | 2013 | Four-time winner |
| Dubuque | Iowa | 2013 | Four-time winner |
| Owensboro | Kentucky | 2013 | Two-time winner |
| Dunn | North Carolina | 2013 | Two-time winner |
| Garner | North Carolina | 2013 | |
| Thomasville | North Carolina | 2013 | |
| Norfolk | Virginia | 2013 | Two-time winner |
| San Francisco | California | 2012 | |
| Tahoe/Truckee | California | 2012 | |
| Quad Cities | Illinois | 2012 | (Not one municipality, but four collectively adjacent ones on the Mississippi in Illinois or Iowa) |
| Dubuque | Iowa | 2012 | Four-time winner |
| Marshalltown | Iowa | 2012 | |
| Quad Cities | Iowa | 2012 | |
| Louisville | Kentucky | 2012 | |
| Baltimore | Maryland | 2012 | Four-time winner |
| Pittsfield | Massachusetts | 2012 | |
| Springfield | Massachusetts | 2012 | Two-time winner |
| Southern Pines | North Carolina | 2012 | |
| Providence | Rhode Island | 2012 | |
| San Antonio | Texas | 2012 | Seven-time winner |
| Kenai | Alaska | 2011 | Two-time winner |
| Dublin | California | 2011 | |
| Lakewood | Colorado | 2011 | |
| Belleville | Illinois | 2011 | |
| South Bend | Indiana | 2011 | Two-time winner |
| Scott City | Kansas | 2011 | |
| Tupelo | Mississippi | 2011 | Four-time winner |
| Fayetteville | North Carolina | 2011 | Three-time winner |
| Eden | North Carolina | 2011 | |
| Fort Worth | Texas | 2011 | Three-time winner |
| Chandler | Arizona | 2010 | |
| Lynwood | California | 2010 | Two-time winner |
| Rancho Cordova | California | 2010 | |
| North Miami | Florida | 2010 | |
| Acworth | Georgia | 2010 | |
| Des Moines | Iowa | 2010 | Six-time winner |
| Salisbury | Maryland | 2010 | |
| Gastonia | North Carolina | 2010 | Three-time winner |
| Mount Pleasant | South Carolina | 2010 | Two-time winner |
| El Paso | Texas | 2010 | Three-time winner |
| Phoenix | Arizona | 2009 | Five-time winner |
| Inglewood | California | 2009 | Two-time winner |
| Fort Wayne | Indiana | 2009 | Three-time winner |
| Richmond | Indiana | 2009 | Two-time winner |
| Wichita | Kansas | 2009 | Four-time winner |
| Somerville | Massachusetts | 2009 | Two-time winner |
| Albany | New York | 2009 | Two-time winner |
| Kinston | North Carolina | 2009 | Two-time winner |
| Statesville | North Carolina | 2009 | Two-time winner |
| Caroline County | Virginia | 2009 | |
| Goodyear | Arizona | 2008 | |
| Cerritos | California | 2008 | |
| Aurora | Colorado | 2008 | |
| New Haven | Connecticut | 2008 | Four-time winner |
| Kissimmee-Osceola County | Florida | 2008 | |
| Gladstone | Missouri | 2008 | |
| St. Louis Region | Missouri, Illinois | 2008 | Two-time winner |
| Lenoir | North Carolina | 2008 | |
| Reidsville | North Carolina | 2008 | |
| Akron | Ohio | 2008 | Three-time winner |
| Flowing Wells | Arizona | 2007 | |
| Santa Rosa | California | 2007 | Two-time winner |
| Sierra Madre | California | 2007 | |
| Hollywood | Florida | 2007 | |
| Polk County | Florida | 2007 | |
| Dubuque | Iowa | 2007 | Four-time winner |
| Lewiston | Maine | 2007 | |
| Barnstable | Massachusetts | 2007 | |
| Clinton | North Carolina | 2007 | |
| Hickory | North Carolina | 2007 | Three-time winner |
| Lincoln | California | 2006 | |
| Longmont | Colorado | 2006 | Two-time winner |
| Sarasota County | Florida | 2006 | |
| Marietta | Georgia | 2006 | |
| Kansas City | Missouri | 2006 | Four-time winner |
| Columbus | Ohio | 2006 | Four-time winner |
| Maumee | Ohio | 2006 | |
| Richland County | South Carolina | 2006 | |
| DeSoto | Texas | 2006 | |
| Pharr | Texas | 2006 | |
| Seward | Alaska | 2005 | Three-time winner |
| Canoga Park | California | 2005 | |
| Lauderhill | Florida | 2005 | |
| Pompano Beach | Florida | 2005 | |
| Port Huron | Michigan | 2005 | Two-time winner |
| Willmar | Minnesota | 2005 | |
| Carrollton | Missouri | 2005 | |
| Georgetown County | South Carolina | 2005 | |
| Orangeburg County | South Carolina | 2005 | |
| Winchester | Virginia | 2005 | |
| Stockton | California | 2004 | Four-time winner |
| Pembroke Pines | Florida | 2004 | |
| Evansville | Indiana | 2004 | |
| Montevideo | Minnesota | 2004 | |
| Concord | North Carolina | 2004 | |
| Springfield | Ohio | 2004 | |
| Cottage Grove | Oregon | 2004 | Two-time winner |
| Hidalgo | Texas | 2004 | |
| Spokane | Washington | 2004 | Two-time winner |
| Philippi | West Virginia | 2004 | |
| Tempe | Arizona | 2003 | Two-time winner |
| New Haven | Connecticut | 2003 | Three-time winner |
| Miami Beach | Florida | 2003 | |
| Des Moines | Iowa | 2003 | Six-time winner |
| Marquette County | Michigan | 2003 | |
| Laurinburg | North Carolina | 2003 | Three-time winner |
| Wilson | North Carolina | 2003 | Two-time winner |
| South Sioux City | Nebraska | 2003 | |
| Corpus Christi | Texas | 2003 | |
| Greater Racine Area | Wisconsin | 2003 | |
| Tuscaloosa-Northport | Alabama | 2002 | |
| Anchorage | Alaska | 2002 | Four-time winner |
| Fountain | Colorado | 2002 | |
| Elgin | Illinois | 2002 | Two-time winner |
| Roswell | New Mexico | 2002 | Two-time winner |
| Buffalo-Niagara Region | New York | 2002 | Two-time winner |
| Huntington | New York | 2002 | |
| Weslaco | Texas | 2002 | |
| Hampton | Virginia | 2002 | Three-time winner |
| Everett | Washington | 2002 | |
| Santa Clara | California | 2001 | |
| Delray Beach | Florida | 2001 | Two-time winner |
| South Miami | Florida | 2001 | |
| Fort Dodge | Iowa | 2001 | |
| Howard County | Maryland | 2001 | |
| Ocean City | Maryland | 2001 | |
| Independence | Missouri | 2001 | Three-time winner |
| Bozeman | Montana | 2001 | |
| Fayetteville | North Carolina | 2001 | Two-time winner |
| Brownsville | Texas | 2001 | |
| Fresno | California | 2000 | Two-time winner |
| Naugatuck River Valley | Connecticut | 2000 | (Not a municipality, but a group of five or seven municipalities that formally co-operate in various activities |
| Worcester | Massachusetts | 2000 | Five-time winner |
| Montgomery County | Maryland | 2000 | Two-time winner |
| Clinton | Missouri | 2000 | |
| Gastonia | North Carolina | 2000 | Two-time winner |
| Fargo/Moorhead | North Dakota/Minnesota | 2000 | Two-time winner |
| Lancaster | Pennsylvania | 2000 | |
| Anderson County | South Carolina | 2000 | |
| Edinburg | Texas | 2000 | Three-time winner |
| Stockton | California | 1999 | Four-time winner |
| Union City | California | 1999 | |
| Tallahassee | Florida | 1999 | |
| Wichita | Kansas | 1999 | Three-time winner |
| Shreveport | Louisiana | 1999 | Three-time winner |
| Lowell | Massachusetts | 1999 | Two-time winner |
| Tupelo | Mississippi | 1999 | Three-time winner |
| Rocky Mount | North Carolina | 1999 | Two-time winner |
| Tri-Cities | Tennessee, Virginia | 1999 | |
| Greater Green Bay | Wisconsin | 1999 | Two-time winner |
| Riverside | California | 1998 | Two-time winner |
| Santa Maria | California | 1998 | |
| New Haven | Connecticut | 1998 | Two-time winner |
| DeKalb County | Georgia | 1998 | |
| Fort Wayne | Indiana | 1998 | Two-time winner |
| Chelsea | Massachusetts | 1998 | Two-time winner |
| Rochester | New York | 1998 | Two-time winner |
| Saranac Lake Village | New York | 1998 | |
| Toledo | Ohio | 1998 | Three-time winner |
| Tacoma | Washington | 1998 | Three-time winner |
| Fremont | California | 1997 | |
| Hillside Neighborhood | Colorado | 1997 | |
| Aberdeen | Maryland | 1997 | |
| Saint Joseph | Missouri | 1997 | |
| Bronx County | New York | 1997 | |
| Asheville | North Carolina | 1997 | Three-time winner |
| Statesville | North Carolina | 1997 | |
| Bismarck | North Dakota | 1997 | |
| Aiken | South Carolina | 1997 | |
| Texas City | Texas | 1997 | |
| Westminster | California | 1996 | |
| Quincy | Florida | 1996 | |
| Hays | Kansas | 1996 | |
| Greater New Orleans | Louisiana | 1996 | Two-time winner |
| Holland | Michigan | 1996 | |
| Fosston | Minnesota | 1996 | |
| Greater Buffalo | New York | 1996 | |
| Hartsville | South Carolina | 1996 | |
| McAllen | Texas | 1996 | |
| Roanoke | Virginia | 1996 | Five-time winner |
| Mobile | Alabama | 1995 | |
| Lindsay | California | 1995 | |
| Monrovia | California | 1995 | |
| Ocala | Florida | 1995 | |
| Lafayette | Indiana | 1995 | |
| Louisville | Kentucky | 1995 | Two-time winner |
| Jemez Springs | New Mexico | 1995 | |
| Lumberton | North Carolina | 1995 | Two-time winner |
| Akron | Ohio | 1995 | Two-time winner |
| Edinburg | Texas | 1995 | Two-time winner |
| Porterville | California | 1994 | |
| Columbus | Indiana | 1994 | |
| Alexandria | Louisiana | 1994 | |
| Kansas City | Missouri | 1994 | Six-time winner |
| Taos | New Mexico | 1994 | |
| Mt. Airy | North Carolina | 1994 | |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1994 | Four-time winner |
| Plano | Texas | 1994 | |
| Yakima | Washington | 1994 | |
| Powell | Wyoming | 1994 | |
| Oakland | California | 1993 | Two-time winner |
| Wray | Colorado | 1993 | |
| Delray Beach | Florida | 1993 | |
| Wichita | Kansas | 1993 | Two-time winner |
| Dawson County | Nebraska | 1993 | |
| Washington | North Carolina | 1993 | |
| Cleveland | Ohio | 1993 | Five-time winner |
| Pulaski | Tennessee | 1993 | |
| Fort Worth | Texas | 1993 | Two-time winner |
| Laredo | Texas | 1993 | |
| Kenai | Alaska | 1992 | |
| Little Rock | Arkansas | 1992 | |
| Delta | Colorado | 1992 | |
| Rockford | Illinois | 1992 | |
| Kansas-Wyandotte | Kansas | 1992 | |
| Billings | Montana | 1992 | |
| Jacksonville | North Carolina | 1992 | |
| Minot | North Dakota | 1992 | |
| Columbus | Ohio | 1992 | Three-time winner |
| Harlingen | Texas | 1992 | |
| Gadsden | Alabama | 1991 | |
| Greencastle | Indiana | 1991 | |
| Baltimore | Maryland | 1991 | Three-time winner |
| Gothenburg | Nebraska | 1991 | |
| Newark | New Jersey | 1991 | Two-time winner |
| Albany | New York | 1991 | |
| Greensboro | North Carolina | 1991 | Two-time winner |
| Dayton | Ohio | 1991 | Three-time winner |
| Austin | Texas | 1991 | |
| Winchester-Frederick County | Virginia | 1991 | |
| Hattiesburg | Mississippi | 1991 | |
| Bakersfield | California | 1990 | |
| South Gate | California | 1990 | |
| Tampa | Florida | 1990 | |
| Coeur d'Alene | Idaho | 1990 | |
| Sioux City | Iowa | 1990 | Two-time winner |
| Saint Paul | Minnesota | 1990 | Three-time winner |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg | North Carolina | 1990 | Two-time winner |
| Hamlet | North Carolina | 1990 | |
| Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | 1990 | Two-time winner |
| Abilene | Texas | 1990 | |
| Phoenix | Arizona | 1989 | Four-time winner |
| Inglewood | California | 1989 | |
| Greeley | Colorado | 1989 | |
| Peoria | Illinois | 1989 | Three-time winner |
| Salina | Kansas | 1989 | |
| New Bedford | Massachusetts | 1989 | |
| Tupelo | Mississippi | 1989 | Two-time winner |
| Dunn | North Carolina | 1989 | |
| New Bern | North Carolina | 1989 | |
| Roanoke County | Virginia | 1989 | |
| St. George Island | Alaska | 1988 | |
| Paramount | California | 1988 | |
| Hutchinson | Kansas | 1988 | |
| Blackstone Valley Region | Massachusetts | 1988 | |
| Rochester | Minnesota | 1988 | |
| Meridian | Mississippi | 1988 | |
| Butte-Silver Bow | Montana | 1988 | |
| Kinston | North Carolina | 1988 | |
| Sweetwater | Texas | 1988 | |
| Roanoke | Virginia | 1988 | Four-time winner |
| Pensacola | Florida | 1986-87 | |
| Richmond | Indiana | 1986-87 | |
| Hickory | North Carolina | 1986-87 | Two-time winner |
| Columbus | Ohio | 1986-87 | Two-time winner |
| Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | 1986-87 | Two-time winner |
| Prince George's County | Maryland | 1986-87 | |
| Olympia | Washington | 1986-87 | |
| Vancouver | Washington | 1986-87 | Two-time winner |
| Normal Heights (San Diego) | California | 1985-86 | |
| Mililani Town | Hawaii | 1985-86 | |
| Highland Park | Illinois | 1985-86 | Two-time winner |
| Jackson | Michigan | 1985-86 | |
| Brooklyn Center | Minnesota | 1985-86 | |
| Kansas City | Missouri | 1985-86 | Six-time winner |
| Cleveland | Ohio | 1985-86 | Four-time winner |
| Grants Pass | Oregon | 1985-86 | |
| Lynchburg | Virginia | 1985-86 | |
| Anchorage | Alaska | 1984-85 | Three-time winner |
| Tempe | Arizona | 1984-85 | |
| Monterey Park | California | 1984-85 | |
| Quincy | Illinois | 1984-85 | Two-time winner |
| Fayetteville | North Carolina | 1984-85 | |
| Albany | Oregon | 1984-85 | |
| Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | 1984-85 | |
| Alexandria | Virginia | 1984-85 | Two-time winner |
| Johnson County | Kansas | 1983-84 | |
| Traverse City | Michigan | 1983-84 | |
| Saint Paul | Minnesota | 1983-84 | Two-time winner |
| Urban Region | New York, New Jersey, Connecticut | 1983-84 | |
| Cleveland | Ohio | 1983-84 | Three-time winner |
| Toledo | Ohio | 1983-84 | Two-time winner |
| Ardmore | Oklahoma | 1983-84 | Two-time winner |
| Tacoma | Washington | 1983-84 | Two-time winner |
| Wausau | Wisconsin | 1983-84 | |
| Santa Ana | California | 1982-83 | |
| Santa Rosa | California | 1982-83 | |
| Fort Wayne | Indiana | 1982-83 | |
| Ames | Iowa | 1982-83 | |
| Ann Arbor | Michigan | 1982-83 | Two-time winner |
| Durham | North Carolina | 1982-83 | |
| Salem | Oregon | 1982-83 | Two-time winner |
| San Antonio | Texas | 1982-83 | Seven-time winner |
| Valdez | Alaska | 1981-82 | Two-time winner |
| Bloomington | Indiana | 1981-82 | Two-time winner |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | 1981-82 | Two-time winner |
| Des Moines | Iowa | 1981-82 | Six-time winner |
| Independence | Missouri | 1981-82 | Two-time winner |
| Grand Island | Nebraska | 1981-82 | Three-time winner |
| Cleveland | Ohio | 1981-82 | Two-time winner |
| Meyersdale | Pennsylvania | 1981-82 | |
| Blacksburg | Virginia | 1981-82 | |
| Roanoke | Virginia | 1981-82 | Three-time winner |
| Kotzebue | Alaska | 1980-81 | |
| Sunnyvale | California | 1980-81 | |
| Colorado Springs | Colorado | 1980-81 | |
| Akron | Ohio | 1980-81 | |
| Worcester | Massachusetts | 1980-81 | Four-time winner |
| Grand Rapids | Michigan | 1980-81 | Three-time winner |
| Fergus Falls | Minnesota | 1980-81 | |
| Rochester | New York | 1980-81 | |
| Cincinnati | Ohio | 1980-81 | Three-time winner |
| Wichita Falls | Texas | 1980-81 | |
| Phoenix | Arizona | 1979-80 | Three-time winner |
| Gardena | California | 1979-80 | |
| Shreveport | Louisiana | 1979-80 | Two-time winner |
| Rockingham | North Carolina | 1979-80 | |
| Portsmouth | Ohio | 1979-80 | |
| Seminole | Oklahoma | 1979-80 | |
| Portland | Oregon | 1979-80 | |
| Sherman | Texas | 1979-80 | |
| Bellingham | Washington | 1979-80 | |
| Sunnyside | Washington | 1979-80 | |
| Mesa | Arizona | 1978-79 | |
| Vincennes | Indiana | 1978-79 | |
| Rockville | Maryland | 1978-79 | Four-time winner |
| Haverhill | Massachusetts | 1978-79 | |
| Southbridge | Massachusetts | 1978-79 | |
| Southfield | Michigan | 1978-79 | |
| Winona | Minnesota | 1978-79 | |
| Roswell | New Mexico | 1978-79 | |
| LaMoure | North Dakota | 1978-79 | |
| Charlottesville | Virginia | 1978-79 | |
| Roanoke | Virginia | 1978-79 | Two-time winner |
| Anniston | Alabama | 1977-78 | |
| Ottumwa | Iowa | 1977-78 | |
| Lincoln | Nebraska | 1977-78 | |
| Dennis | Massachusetts | 1977-78 | |
| Duluth | Minnesota | 1977-78 | |
| Mankato | Minnesota | 1977-78 | |
| Ravenna | Nebraska | 1977-78 | |
| Cleveland Heights | Ohio | 1977-78 | Two-time winner |
| Dayton | Ohio | 1977-78 | Two-time winner |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 1977-78 | |
| Charleston | South Carolina | 1977-78 | |
| Madison | Wisconsin | 1977-78 | |
| San Bernardino | California | 1976-77 | |
| Park Forest | Illinois | 1976-77 | Two-time winner |
| Anderson | Indiana | 1976-77 | |
| Des Moines | Iowa | 1976-77 | Six-time winner |
| Baltimore | Maryland | 1976-77 | Two-time winner |
| Rockville | Maryland | 1976-77 | Three-time winner |
| Newton | Massachusetts | 1976-77 | |
| Union | New Jersey | 1976-77 | |
| Tarboro | North Carolina | 1976-77 | |
| Danville | Virginia | 1976-77 | |
| Montebello | California | 1975-76 | |
| San Pablo | California | 1975-76 | Two-time winner |
| Toccoa | Georgia | 1975-76 | |
| Oak Park | Illinois | 1975-76 | |
| Frederick | Maryland | 1975-76 | |
| Harbor Springs | Michigan | 1975-76 | |
| Plainfield | New Jersey | 1975-76 | |
| Cleveland Heights | Ohio | 1975-76 | |
| Marshall | Texas | 1975-76 | |
| Portsmouth | Virginia | 1975-76 | |
| South El Monte | California | 1974-75 | |
| Fall River | Massachusetts | 1974-75 | |
| Gardner | Massachusetts | 1974-75 | |
| Pontiac | Michigan | 1974-75 | |
| Excelsior Springs | Missouri | 1974-75 | |
| Norfolk | Nebraska | 1974-75 | |
| Raleigh | North Carolina | 1974-75 | |
| Wooster | Ohio | 1974-75 | |
| Allentown | Pennsylvania | 1974-75 | Two-time winner |
| Grand Prairie | Texas | 1974-75 | |
| Spokane | Washington | 1974-75 | |
| Spencer | West Virginia | 1974-75 | |
| La Habra | California | 1973 | |
| North Adams | Massachusetts | 1973 | |
| Albion | Michigan | 1973 | |
| St. Cloud | Minnesota | 1973 | |
| Macon | Missouri | 1973 | |
| Lexington | Nebraska | 1973 | |
| Jamestown | New York | 1973 | |
| Tulsa | Oklahoma | 1973 | |
| Lewistown | Pennsylvania | 1973 | |
| Port Arthur | Texas | 1973 | |
| Modesto | California | 1972 | Two-time winner |
| Wilmington | Delaware | 1972 | |
| St. Petersburg | Florida | 1972 | |
| Somerville | Massachusetts | 1972 | |
| Poplar Bluff | Missouri | 1972 | |
| Verdigre | Nebraska | 1972 | |
| Wilson | North Carolina | 1972 | |
| Erie | Pennsylvania | 1972 | |
| Johnstown | Pennsylvania | 1972 | |
| Hampton | Virginia | 1972 | Three-time winner |
| Chewelah | Washington | 1972 | |
| Placentia | California | 1971 | |
| Santa Fe Springs | California | 1971 | Two-time winner |
| North Branford | Connecticut | 1971 | |
| Carbondale | Illinois | 1971 | |
| Lowell | Massachusetts | 1971 | |
| Twin Cities | Minnesota | 1971 | |
| Jamaica | New York | 1971 | |
| Chickasha | Oklahoma | 1971 | |
| Beloit | Wisconsin | 1971 | |
| Birmingham | Alabama | 1970 | Two-time winner |
| Bloomfield | Connecticut | 1970 | |
| Enfield | Connecticut | 1970 | |
| Gainesville | Florida | 1970 | |
| Lakeland | Florida | 1970 | |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | 1970 | |
| Fitchburg | Massachusetts | 1970 | |
| Lumberton | North Carolina | 1970 | |
| Shelby | North Carolina | 1970 | |
| Ardmore | Oklahoma | 1970 | |
| Dallas | Texas | 1970 | |
| Springfield | Illinois | 1969 | |
| Kalamazoo | Michigan | 1969 | Two-time winner |
| Maryville | Missouri | 1969 | |
| Asheville | North Carolina | 1969 | Two-time winner |
| Rocky Mount | North Carolina | 1969 | |
| Eugene | Oregon | 1969 | |
| Rock Hill | South Carolina | 1969 | |
| Borger | Texas | 1969 | |
| Cuero | Texas | 1969 | |
| Martinsville | Virginia | 1969 | |
| Fairbanks | Alaska | 1968 | |
| San Diego | California | 1968 | Two-time winner |
| Jacksonville | Florida | 1968 | |
| Savannah | Georgia | 1968 | Two-time winner |
| New Albany | Indiana | 1968 | |
| Danville | Kentucky | 1968 | |
| Saginaw | Michigan | 1968 | |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | 1968 | Two-time winner |
| Cottage Grove | Oregon | 1968 | |
| Edinburg | Texas | 1968 | |
| Snyder | Texas | 1968 | |
| Fresno | California | 1967 | |
| Wheaton | Illinois | 1967 | |
| South Bend | Indiana | 1967 | |
| Auburn | Maine | 1967 | |
| Royal Oak | Michigan | 1967 | |
| Tupelo | Mississippi | 1967 | |
| Cape Girardeau | Missouri | 1967 | |
| Grand Island | Nebraska | 1967 | Two-time winner |
| Hickory | North Carolina | 1967 | |
| Laurinburg | North Carolina | 1967 | Two-time winner |
| Leavenworth | Washington | 1967 | |
| Pinellas County | Florida | 1966 | |
| Peoria | Illinois | 1966 | Two-time winner |
| Presque Isle | Maine | 1966 | |
| Malden | Massachusetts | 1966 | |
| Ann Arbor | Michigan | 1966 | |
| Detroit | Michigan | 1966 | |
| Cohoes | New York | 1966 | |
| Greensboro | North Carolina | 1966 | |
| Clearfield | Pennsylvania | 1966 | |
| Richmond | Virginia | 1966 | Two-time winner |
| Seattle | Washington | 1966 | Two-time winner |
| Anchorage | Alaska | 1965 | Two-time winner |
| Seward | Alaska | 1965 | Two-time winner |
| Valdez | Alaska | 1965 | |
| Michigan City | Indiana | 1965 | |
| Pikeville | Kentucky | 1965 | |
| Worcester | Massachusetts | 1965 | Three-time winner |
| Flat River (now Park Hills) | Missouri | 1965 | |
| Ogallala | Nebraska | 1965 | |
| Trenton | New Jersey | 1965 | |
| Wilmington | North Carolina | 1965 | |
| Mount Vernon | Ohio | 1965 | |
| Florence | South Carolina | 1965 | |
| La Crosse | Wisconsin | 1965 | |
| Niles | Illinois | 1964 | |
| Hopkinsville | Kentucky | 1964 | |
| South Portland | Maine | 1964 | |
| White Bear Lake | Minnesota | 1964 | |
| Keene | New Hampshire | 1964 | |
| Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 1964 | Two-time winner |
| Hazleton | Pennsylvania | 1964 | |
| Columbia | South Carolina | 1964 | Two-time winner |
| Fort Worth | Texas | 1964 | |
| Sidney | Ohio | 1964 | Two-time winner |
| Bluefield | West Virginia | 1964 | |
| Green Bay | Wisconsin | 1964 | |
| Seward | Alaska | 1963 | |
| Roseville | California | 1963 | |
| Woodstock | Illinois | 1963 | |
| Louisville | Kentucky | 1963 | |
| Minneapolis | Minnesota | 1963 | Two-time winner |
| Woodbridge | New Jersey | 1963 | |
| Aztec | New Mexico | 1963 | |
| Gastonia | North Carolina | 1963 | |
| Sidney | Ohio | 1963 | |
| Oil City | Pennsylvania | 1963 | |
| Alexandria | Virginia | 1963 | |
| San Diego | California | 1962 | |
| Grand Junction | Colorado | 1962 | |
| Dade County (now Miami-Dade County) | Florida | 1962 | Two-time winner |
| Quincy | Illinois | 1962 | |
| Boston | Massachusetts | 1962 | Three-time winner |
| High Point | North Carolina | 1962 | |
| Bartlesville | Oklahoma | 1962 | |
| Allentown | Pennsylvania | 1962 | |
| Chattanooga | Tennessee | 1962 | |
| Knoxville | Tennessee | 1962 | |
| Grafton | West Virginia | 1962 | |
| Lynwood | California | 1961 | |
| Hartford | Connecticut | 1961 | Two-time winner |
| Sioux City | Iowa | 1961 | |
| Wichita | Kansas | 1961 | |
| Rockville | Maryland | 1961 | Two-time winner |
| Independence | Missouri | 1961 | |
| Salisbury | North Carolina | 1961 | |
| Milton-Freewater | Oregon | 1961 | |
| Galveston | Texas | 1961 | |
| Falls Church | Virginia | 1961 | |
| Anacortes | Washington | 1961 | |
| Marin County | California | 1960 | |
| San Jose | California | 1960 | |
| Decatur | Illinois | 1960 | |
| Worcester | Massachusetts | 1960 | Two-time winner |
| Grand Rapids | Michigan | 1960 | Two-time winner |
| Bloomington | Minnesota | 1960 | |
| Las Vegas | New Mexico | 1960 | |
| Salem | Oregon | 1960 | |
| East Providence | Rhode Island | 1960 | |
| Radford | Virginia | 1960 | |
| Richland | Washington | 1960 | |
| Santa Fe Springs | California | 1959 | |
| Vallejo | California | 1959 | |
| Lamar | Colorado | 1959 | |
| Alton | Illinois | 1959 | |
| East St. Louis | Illinois | 1959 | |
| De Soto | Missouri | 1959 | Two-time winner |
| Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 1959 | |
| Fargo | North Dakota | 1959 | |
| San Juan | Puerto Rico | 1959 | |
| Norfolk | Virginia | 1959 | |
| Seattle | Washington | 1959 | |
| Hayden | Arizona | 1958 | |
| Phoenix | Arizona | 1958 | Two-time winner |
| Leadville | Colorado | 1958 | |
| New Haven | Connecticut | 1958 | |
| Westport | Connecticut | 1958 | |
| Bloomington | Indiana | 1958 | |
| Granite City | Illinois | 1958 | |
| Highland Park | Illinois | 1958 | |
| Columbus | Ohio | 1958 | |
| Huntington | West Virginia | 1958 | |
| Sheridan | Wyoming | 1958 | |
| Ketchikan | Alaska | 1957 | |
| Dade County (now Miami-Dade County) | Florida | 1957 | |
| Galesburg | Illinois | 1957 | |
| Neosho | Missouri | 1957 | |
| Omaha | Nebraska | 1957 | |
| Albuquerque | New Mexico | 1957 | |
| Middletown | Ohio | 1957 | |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1957 | Three-time winner |
| Yankton | South Dakota | 1957 | |
| Vancouver | Washington | 1957 | |
| Clarksburg | West Virginia | 1957 | |
| Anchorage | Alaska | 1956 | |
| Oakland | California | 1956 | |
| Torrance | California | 1956 | |
| Elgin | Illinois | 1956 | |
| Springfield | Missouri | 1956 | |
| St. Louis | Missouri | 1956 | |
| Laurinburg | North Carolina | 1956 | |
| Zanesville | Ohio | 1956 | |
| Altus | Oklahoma | 1956 | |
| Brattleboro | Vermont | 1956 | |
| Tacoma | Washington | 1956 | |
| Phenix City | Alabama | 1955 | |
| Riverside | California | 1955 | |
| Savannah | Georgia | 1955 | |
| Bloomington | Illinois | 1955 | |
| Joliet | Illinois | 1955 | |
| Port Huron | Michigan | 1955 | |
| Saint Paul | Minnesota | 1955 | |
| Grand Island | Nebraska | 1955 | |
| Cambridge | Ohio | 1955 | |
| Reading | Pennsylvania | 1955 | |
| Bellevue | Washington | 1955 | |
| Maricopa County | Arizona | 1954 | |
| Decatur | Arkansas | 1954 | |
| Modesto | California | 1954 | |
| Pueblo | Colorado | 1954 | |
| Chicago | Illinois | 1954 | |
| Rock Island | Illinois | 1954 | |
| Rockville | Maryland | 1954 | |
| Richfield | Minnesota | 1954 | |
| Mexico | Missouri | 1954 | |
| Newark | New Jersey | 1954 | |
| Warren | Ohio | 1954 | |
| Richmond | California | 1953 | |
| Daytona Beach | Florida | 1953 | |
| Park Forest | Illinois | 1953 | |
| Peoria | Illinois | 1953 | |
| Shreveport | Louisiana | 1953 | |
| Flint | Michigan | 1953 | |
| De Soto | Missouri | 1953 | |
| Canton | Ohio | 1953 | |
| Scranton | Pennsylvania | 1953 | |
| Petersburg | Virginia | 1953 | |
| Port Angeles | Washington | 1953 | |
| Compton | California | 1952 | |
| Miami | Florida | 1952 | |
| Brookfield | Illinois | 1952 | |
| Manhattan | Kansas | 1952 | |
| Owensboro | Kentucky | 1952 | |
| Baltimore | Maryland | 1952 | |
| Bemidji | Minnesota | 1952 | |
| Minneapolis | Minnesota | 1952 | |
| Newburgh | New York | 1952 | |
| Woonsocket | Rhode Island | 1952 | |
| Roanoke | Virginia | 1952 | |
| Atlanta | Georgia | 1951 | |
| Mount Vernon | Illinois | 1951 | |
| Boston | Massachusetts | 1951 | Two-time winner |
| Kalamazoo | Michigan | 1951 | |
| Kansas City | Missouri | 1951 | Six-time winner |
| Asheville-Buncombe County | North Carolina | 1951 | |
| Dayton | Ohio | 1951 | |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1951 | Two-time winner |
| Pawtucket | Rhode Island | 1951 | |
| Columbia | South Carolina | 1951 | |
| San Antonio | Texas | 1951 | Seven-time winner |
| Phoenix | Arizona | 1950 | |
| Hartford | Connecticut | 1950 | |
| New Orleans | Louisiana | 1950 | |
| Portland | Maine | 1950 | |
| Montgomery County | Maryland | 1950 | |
| Kansas City | Missouri | 1950 | Six-time winner |
| Montclair | New Jersey | 1950 | |
| Cincinnati | Ohio | 1950 | Two-time winner |
| Toledo | Ohio | 1950 | |
| Youngstown | Ohio | 1950 | |
| Richmond | Virginia | 1950 | |
| Des Moines | Iowa | 1949 | Six-time winner |
| Boston | Massachusetts | 1949 | |
| Worcester | Massachusetts | 1949 | |
| Grand Rapids | Michigan | 1949 | |
| Bayonne | New Jersey | 1949 | |
| Poughkeepsie | New York | 1949 | |
| Cincinnati | Ohio | 1949 | |
| Cleveland | Ohio | 1949 | |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1949 | |
| Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | 1949 | |
| San Antonio | Texas | 1949 | Seven-time winner |
References
- ^ "National Civic League - Advancing civic engagement to create equitable, thriving communities". National Civic League.
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"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (The Kerner Report), 1967 | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed". www.blackpast.org. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ "The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading". gradelevelreading.net. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-07-19. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
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