What Works Cities

What exactly is What Works Cities (WWC)? WWC was launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in April 2015 with a purpose of enhancing how cities use data and evidence when making decisions and delivering services and programs, with an ultimate goal of improving the lives of residents. WWC offers a certification program which is the national standard of excellence for data-driven, well-managed local government. The certification program is open to cities with populations of 30,000 or greater.

Because of WWC and the certification program, cities across the United States are more effectively driving change and delivering results for residents. WWC has several expert partners that help local governments build the capacity and skills to use data and evidence. Some of WWC’s partners include The Behavioral Insights Team, the Government Performance Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School, the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University, Results for American, and Sunlight Foundation. Learn more about WWC and the certification process at https://whatworkscities.bloomberg.org.

In September 2017, WCW announced the certification of the City of Winston-Salem and welcomed the city into the project. Other North Carolina cities that are certified as WWCs include Cary, Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Fayetteville. 

Photo Description: City of Winston-Salem Executive Staff holding a banner stating "We are a What Works City! Winston-Salem, NC @cityofws. Staff from left to right: Ben Rowe, Meridith Martin, Evan Raleigh, Allen Joines, Eddie McNeal, Lee Garrity, Tom Kureczka

Winston-Salem Joining What Works Cities Initiative

Posted: Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Department: City Manager

Winston-Salem has been accepted into the What Works Cities project, an initiative of Bloomberg Philanthropies to help 100 mid-sized American cities enhance their use of data and evidence to improve services, inform local decision-making and engage residents.

The initiative will focus on two areas:

• Developing an open data policy for Winston-Salem to promote transparency and accountability in government by making data readily available and easy to understand; and
• Developing a framework for using data to make decisions, manage performance and align the city budget with city priorities.

City officials plan to apply what they learn to all aspects of city government in general, and in particular to the six focus areas in the strategic plan the City Council adopted in May. As an initial step, they will target the city's strategic focus area of fostering livable neighborhoods. For example, better use of data could help the city better direct resources to address blight, improve code enforcement and allocate recreation resources.

Under the initiative, the city will engage in an intensive four-month program under the guidance of the Sunlight Foundation and the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University. At no cost to the city, these organizations will provide experts and technical assistance.

Before being accepted into the program, city officials filled out an in-depth survey, after which a representative of What Works Cities made a site visit to evaluate the city’s current use of data and its capacity to participate in the initiative.

Mayor Allen Joines said that being accepted into What Works Cities is a feather in the city's cap that will benefit all city residents. "I'm excited about the process we are about to undergo. Out of this we will learn how to get better at using data to ensure that our taxpayers' dollars are most effectively used in accomplishing the goals we have set for our community."

The overall What Works Cities initiative is coordinated by Results for America, an organization dedicated to helping decision-makers at all levels of government use evidence and data to meet challenges and make "investing in what works" the norm when allocating public dollars, said Simone Brody, the executive director of What Works Cities. "Data is one of the best resources at cities' disposal for effectively solving challenges and driving progress," Brody said. "We’re supporting city leaders to maximize the use of their data to make more informed decisions, develop stronger programs and services and better serve their communities."

The Sunlight Foundation will take the lead in helping the city develop an open data policy. The foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for transparency and accountability in government at all levels.

The Center for Government Excellence will work with the city to enhance its ability to use data for performance management. The center helps governments improve their ability to make decisions rooted in evidence, open accountability and citizen engagement.

For more information about the What Works Cities initiative, go to WhatWorksCities.org.

View city strategic plan, as linked to from What Works Cities site 

More on new additions to What Works Cities