The latest economic downturn has fundamentally changed our global economic order, creating a myriad of challenges for communities across the nation. From rising high school dropout rates to persistent fiscal decline, citizens from all walks of life will be challenged in an unprecedented way. Understanding the common bonds that tie people together is key to fostering community vitality in the 21st century, and this can only be achieved by taking an accurate assessment of our civic health.

To fulfill this goal, in 2010 NCoC partnered with 13 states and 4 cities to develop local civic health reports. Additionally, in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, NCoC also released the first ever Civic Health Assessment to help bring national awareness to how the civic health indicators can aid policymakers and community leaders in enacting strategies that better engage their constituents in public problem solving. Across the nation, these indicators are creating a cross-sector movement that is leveraging the civic health research as a data-driven solution to drive change.

For instance, in Florida and California, policymakers have used the civic health data to develop new civic education standards, including those related to civics testing, curriculum requirements, and service learning. Media across the country have also helped bring attention to the importance of this research. Since 2009, the civic health reports have generated more than 143 million media impressions from media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, TIME Magazine, and the Huffington Post.

In 2011 and beyond, NCoC will continue to help define modern citizenship for the nation. By working with local partners across the country we hope to bring clarity and a renewed sense of purpose that empowers average citizens to make a difference within their communities. While the challenges of today’s world seem insurmountable, there is a unique opportunity to leverage citizen service to build a more informed, engaged, giving, and trusting society.

Therefore, to continue to build the movement, NCoC seeks research/academic institutions, nonprofits, and funders to serve as local partners to cooperatively produce and release Civic Health Index reports in all 50 states and 100 communities in the next few years. By joining this coalition, you too can help policymakers, business leaders, and civic leaders in their quest to drive social and economic progress.

More on the success of the Civic Health Index to date is available in the “Proof of Impact” document available for download above. There, you’ll also see a “Partnership Overview,” which further explains the details of this opportunity.

For more information, please contact David B. Smith at dsmith@ncoc.net