What happens when cities lead with trust
Cities Forward began as a pilot to answer one core question:
What happens when cities show up consistently for residents’ needs before asking them to show up for democracy?
Tested in communities of every size and background, the answer was clear:
When residents experience their city as a visible, caring, and responsive presence, they are more likely to stay informed, engaged, and ready to participate.
Rather than imposing a template, each city adapted the work based on its own community assets, neighborhood dynamics, and engagement infrastructure. This flexibility led to varied expressions of the model but consistent outcomes.
A full breakdown of city-by-city outcomes is available in the 2024 Impact Report.
what we saw consistently across cities
Residents reported higher recognition and trust: City-backed engagement efforts became familiar and visible, leading residents to recall messaging and identify it as credible.
Access to services became a civic entry point: Whether through community events, screenings, or neighborhood pop-ups, service navigation became the first step toward deeper trust.
“Once they helped me with what I needed, I felt like they were actually on our side.”
Community engagement shifted from transactional to rational: Neighborhood dinners, third-space events, and peer-to-peer touchpoints encouraged residents to re-enter civic spaces with curiosity and ownership.
Voter readiness and civic confidence increased: Residents reported feeling better prepared to vote, having more conversations about elections with friends and family, and knowing where to find information they trusted.
Participation followed trust: In cities with sustained presence, residents who engaged through Cities Forward initiatives were more likely to vote or remain engaged through city communications afterward.
