City of Austin

The City of Austin is being recognized by Bloomberg Philanthropies for its work to become one of the most transparent governments in the country. Austin has achieved Gold Certification from What Works Cities for establishing exceptional data capabilities to inform policy, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate programs, and engage residents. 

“Austin leads with innovation and a commitment to using data to improve the lives of everyone who calls our city home. I’m proud of the City teams whose dedication makes this possible, and grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for recognizing the work being done,” said Mayor Kirk Watson. “What Works Cities Certification reflects our ongoing commitment to making transparent, informed decisions that enhance quality of life in every neighborhood and strengthen our community”. 

The What Works Cities Certification program, launched in 2017 by Bloomberg Philanthropies and led by Results for America, is the international standard of data excellence in city governance. The Standard measures a city’s use of data based on 43 criteria. 

“The cities recognized by Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification exemplify what is possible when city leaders commit to data-driven governance: real results for residents,” said Rochelle Haynes, Managing Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities. “By pursuing Certification or advancing to a higher level of recognition, cities are demonstrating and strengthening their dedication to using data to drive progress and deliver better outcomes. While Certified cities are investing in their data capacity to solve today’s issues, they are also building sustainable practices that set the stage for a more resilient and innovative future.” 

About the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification:

The What Works Cities Certification program, launched in 2017 by Bloomberg Philanthropies and led by Results for America, is the first-of-its-kind standard of excellence for data-informed, well-managed local government. What Works Cities Certification recognizes and celebrates local governments for their exceptional use of data to inform policy decisions, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and engage residents.

To learn more about the What Works Cities Certification visit whatworkscities.bloomberg.org. 

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, or follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.