Strengthening City Data to Improve Lives

At Bloomberg Philanthropies, we believe that using data to inform decision-making is essential to running a city. Unfortunately, in cities across the United States, mayors lack the tools to use data and evidence to improve how governing gets done. By providing robust technical support, access to expertise, and peer-to-peer learning to local leaders, we’re helping cities to better use data and evidence to engage the public, improve services, evaluate progress, and make sound investment decisions.

The Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance

The Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance brings together a sophisticated set of international cities from North America, South America, and the Caribbean to build a data infrastructure in their municipalities that allows them to lead with evidence to improve people’s lives. As part of the City Data Alliance, participating mayors and their teams receive multi-year operational and technical coaching on how to leverage data and artificial intelligence to assess needs, strengthen services, and spread results-based practices across their city hall organization.

The aim of these efforts is to enhance government delivery and resident outcomes, such as increasing access to health care, expanding affordable housing, improving public safety, or reducing homelessness. To date, the total number of cities in the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance is 65 across 12 countries, representing over 40 million residents.

What Works Cities Certification

Launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2017, the What Works Cities Certification program is one of the largest-ever philanthropic efforts to enhance cities’ use of data. What Works Cities Certification recognizes and celebrates local governments for their exceptional use of data to inform policy and funding decisions, improve services, create operational efficiencies, and engage residents. The Certification program assesses cities on their data-driven decision-making practices, such as whether they are using data to set goals and track progress, allocate funding, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and achieve desired outcomes. These data-informed strategies enable Certified Cities to be more resilient, respond in crisis situations, increase economic mobility, protect public health, and increase resident satisfaction.

Mayor Marty Walsh examines Boston's 311 and City Score dashboard data. Through What Works Cities, the City of Boston focused on structuring and managing contracts to deliver better results, bringing greater accountability to how public funds are spent. Credit: City of Boston

For Local Government Innovators

Visit the Bloomberg Cities Network, created in partnership with Johns Hopkins for city leaders and innovators full of resources, learning opportunities, and connections to peers around the world. Join the network to receive exclusive resources, including access to world-class training and events, peer networking opportunities, powerful city solutions, and more.

See all of our Government Innovation program areas

Top photo: Martha Galvez from the Urban Institute and Jonathan Mintz from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund speak at a What Works Cities convening hosted at Bloomberg Philanthropies.