Government Trailblazer Program

History

In 2003, the Center on Government Performance (CGP) at the National Center for Civic Innovation launched a Demonstration Grant Program to encourage local and state governments to:

•  Test the Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s (GASB) 2003-issued Reporting    Performance Information: Suggested Criteria for Effective Communication,

•  Produce and disseminate to the public their annual performance reports, and

•  Consider the public’s feedback in preparing subsequent reports.

Twenty-four (24) governments blazed new trails in the way they measured and reported about their performance to the public.

The success of the Demonstration Grant Program led CGP to launch the Government Performance Reporting Trailblazer Program (2007-2008) – with the aim of expanding this program’s reach to more governments, including some in Canada. A new group of 23 Trailblazers joined the program. This group applied market research methods to gather feedback from the public about their performance measures and reports. The information gathered was then used to promulgate revised annual performance reports that took the public’s views and suggestions into consideration. 

In 2009, the program was again expanded to include an additional 20 governments. This newest round of Trailblazers joins the corps of 47 governments and government managers who have been recognized for the innovative ways in which they have made their government more transparent.

Each year, Trailblazers continue their innovations with the overriding aim of:

•  Producing greater alignment between the public’s point of view and the actions and priorities of    its local government; and

•  Providing non-confrontational opportunities for the public and government to discuss matters of    mutual concern.

Trailblazers enjoy the recognition and satisfaction of introducing innovative management practices and civic participation into local government operations and are emboldened by sharing their practices and experiences with other Trailblazers on the Trailblazer listserv and at our annual conferences.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has provided continuing support for this program since 2003.

Click below to view Trailblazer participants.

2009 Government Trailblazer Program

2007 Government Trailblazer Program

2003 Demonstration Grant Program