What Works Cities

Helping cities across the Americas improve lives through well-managed, data-driven local governments. Launched by @BloombergDotOrg and led by @Results4America.

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

We are officially on Instagram! 📸

Get an inside look at our work with city halls across the Americas, including spotlights on an incredible network of 100+ Certified cities.

Whether you're a city leader or just curious about what's working in local government, we invite you to join our growing digital community.

https://t.co/SaBrDgHfoy

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Watch in:
Spanish: https://t.co/bEUVkMYMJF
Portuguese: https://t.co/j604AyWRGY
French: https://t.co/TxfpbwYBgf

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

How does What Works Cities Certification work?

More than 100 cities have achieved Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification for their exceptional data practices.

In our new video, we share the six steps to achieving Certification.

While the stages help us evaluate your data practices, they also give you a high-level view of how your city uses data, what it means for residents and where you can grow.

Importantly, we're with you every step of the way. Throughout Certification and beyond, you'll have a dedicated team member who is your guide, cheerleader and confidant.

Hop on the What Works Cities bus ⬇️

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

How are cities managing data to better prepare for and use AI?

Join What Works Cities Director Emily Ferris as she explores this question and more during @GFOA's 120th Annual Conference.

Emily will moderate two panels on data and AI in Chicago, IL. These sessions will examine how strong data management, data quality and good governance prepare cities to responsibly adopt AI and drive better choices.

Sunday, June 28 “From Big Data to Better Decisions: Ensuring Data Quality Amid AI Disruption”
- @CityofSouthBend's David Finley
- @Pittsburgh's Shuyan Zhan
- Harris County, TX's Daniel Ramos

Tuesday, June 30 “Steering Your Artificial Intelligence Strategy through a World of Unlimited Potential and Unreliable Hype”
- @CityofSanJose's Albert Glee
- @PhiladelphiaGov's Kristie Chin
- @cityofpontiacmi's Robert J.F. Widigan

Don’t miss an opportunity to hear practical examples from local leaders who are putting AI to work and learn some simple steps for how your organization can get started! https://t.co/RB8UeCD6Lo #GFOA2026

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

@Results4America Register today! https://t.co/kDcgyh0JtC

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

U.S. cities: Join us Thursday at 1 p.m. ET to learn how strong data practices can help your city secure federal grants.

@Results4America federal team members will share an overview of the federal grants available to U.S. cities and Certified city leaders will share concrete examples on how the What Works Cities Standard of Excellence prepares your city for federal grant applications

Hear from:
- @CityofPhoenixAZ's Michael Hammett
- @CITYOFMESA's Sabine King
- @CityCharleston's James Wallace
- WWC SVP and Managing Director @RVHaynes
- RFA VP for Federal Policy @DunnNichole

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Read more in this @infobae piece: https://t.co/PJNDcCB9nU

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Providing services to every resident, in every neighborhood, requires governments to see how needs and gaps vary across their municipalities.

At @SmartCityLATAM, WWC's Tania Chávez spoke to why that matters — when data is collected and understood at the neighborhood level, governments can identify which communities are underserved, where systems aren't working as intended, and how to target resources where they are needed most. That granularity is what turns a good intention into an actionable response.

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Success isn't always about scale. Sometimes it's about how precisely understand and deepen the impact you're having.

That's the insight our SVP and Managing Director @RVHaynes contributed to a recent @ForbesNonprofit on how leaders are redefining success beyond traditional growth metrics. It's also the work cities in the WWC Network do every day, using data and evidence to make smarter decisions about what's creating outcomes for residents.

Read more:
https://t.co/OcfsE1r9Z2

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

By enabling secure, responsible data sharing, the National Secure Data Service (NSDS) could help U.S. cities better access the information they need to develop stronger solutions to community challenges.

WWC Director Emily Ferris participated in a @MathematicaNow panel to discuss what the NSDS would mean for local governments in the U.S.

She joined @Tempegov's @StephDeitrick and @leagueofcities' David Park to unpack the real-world barriers and capabilities needed for NSDS adoption.

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Tackling climate change means not only responding to challenges, but getting ahead of them.

That's how Platinum Certified @CambMA has approached its urban forestry efforts. Using data-driven strategies, the city has expanded its tree canopy by 5% since 2014 and is working toward 30% tree coverage across neighborhoods.

Speaking with @govtechnews, What Works Cities SVP & Managing Director @RVHaynes and Cambridge Superintendent of Urban Forestry & Landscapes Andrew Putnam discussed how the city uses AI and LiDAR technology to better understand tree coverage, identify areas most in need of shade and cooling and guide more effective reforestation efforts.

“Starting with the data gives you the tool set to really create a robust program for your specific location,” Andrew shared.

Read more:
https://t.co/9rtrGMJhGN

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Data-driven solutions are transforming local government in @Muni_provi.

We recently visited Providencia to learn how the City is expanding healthcare, promoting entrepreneurship and supporting older adults.

We're grateful to Mayor @jaimebellolio and the Providencia team for an amazing site visit!

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Do you know a great communicator? 📣

Celebrate a local government employee or team using public communication to make a difference by nominating them for our annual Sharman Stein Memorial Award for Storytelling Changemakers.

Submit your nomination: https://t.co/NNfKXFnw78

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Tackling the global housing crisis starts with good data.

SVP and Managing Director @RVHaynes broke down the innovative and data-driven approaches Canadian municipalities are taking to tackle housing affordability across the country in her @MINnews article.

Read her full insights and learn more about the great work happening in our Certified Canadian cities:
@CityofCalgary
@cityofedmonton
@cityofhamilton
@OttawaCity
@cityofwinnipeg

https://t.co/wyXBIcKgAz

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

A National Secure Data Service: What Would it Mean for Local Government Leaders?

Join Director of City Experience Emily Ferris as she tackles this question during a @MathematicaNow
webinar on Tuesday, June 9 at 1 p.m. ET.

This webinar will explore:
- The vision of the National Secure Data Service (NSDS)
- How a federal shared data service could strengthen capacity-building tools and training
- The opportunities and challenges cities face when sharing data across regions and levels of government
- Local government priorities for a potential NSDS

Emily will join Dr. Stephanie Deitrick, Chief Data & Analytics Officer of Platinum-Certified City of @Tempegov, and David Park, Director of Data and Business Analytics, @leagueofcities for a panel discussion, followed by a live Q+A.

Register today: https://t.co/QdeYJOGMP8

[Julio Cesar Serna Gómez @juliosernag]

Seguimos trabajando con datos para construir el progreso de nuestra ciudad; gracias por esa oportunidad de presentar nuestra experiencia de éxito con el mundo.

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Catch up with our team at the @FCM_online Annual Conference and Trade Show in Edmonton this week.

The event will bring together more than 1,500 Canadian elected officials. We can't wait to connect with local leaders to discuss the future of Canadian municipalities and share how our Certified cities are paving the way with data.

Reach out to WWC team members Marissa Loterina and Christina Wagner for a coffee chat or to learn more about our growing network of Certified cities in Canada and beyond! #FCM2026AC #FCM2026CA

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

And read about last year’s winner, the @cityofcorona, California, whose tailored resident outreach and improved digital tools helped residents be heard in and outside of city council meetings. https://t.co/EddFZ7Empa

[What Works Cities @WhatWorksCities]

Do you know a local government communications team doing incredible work to connect with residents and communities? Nominate them for the Sharman Stein Award!

Honoring the What Works Cities founding Director of Communications, the Award recognizes communications teams who bridge gaps between local governments and the communities they serve. Submit your nominations here by June 11, 2026: https://t.co/u87svoUMqw