Advocacy organisation in United States
The National League of Cities (NLC) is an advocacy organization in the United States that represents the country's 19,495 cities, towns, and villages along with 49 state municipal leagues. Created in 1924, it has evolved into a leading membership organization providing education, research, support, and advocacy to city leaders across America. Based in Washington, D.C., it is considered part of the 'Big Seven', a group of organizations that represent local and state government in the United States. The NLC provides training and other resources to municipal officials, holds conferences, and advocates to the federal government on behalf of cities, towns and villages.
NLC was first founded as the American Municipal Association in Lawrence, Kansas by a group of ten state municipal leagues seeking greater coordination and representation in national affairs. In 1947, the organization opened its membership to individual cities with populations of 100,000 or more. That membership threshold was gradually moved downward, and in 1964, to signal the organization's growing emphasis on cities as members, the American Municipal Association changed its name to the National League of Cities. By 1977, the population requirement was eliminated.
Today, NLC represents nearly 2,800 member cities as a convening organization, support network, and representative in federal affairs. Leading priorities for the group include the economy, infrastructure, public safety, technology, education, and families.
History
The National League of Cities was founded in 1924 when 10 state municipal leagues banded together as the American Municipal Association.[1] Over time, the organization's membership expanded to include individual cities of all sizes.[2]
Throughout its history, NLC has played a prominent role in shaping federal urban policy and defining city issues in America. It was at a 1970 convention that William Ruckelshaus, Administrator of the newly created Environmental Protection Agency, announced an order requiring Cleveland, Detroit, and Atlanta to clean up their inadequately treated sewage discharges into rivers, thereby helping send a message that the young agency meant business.[3]
Activities
Federal advocacy
NLC lobbies Congress on multiple issues that directly impact municipalities, including municipal infrastructure, particularly transportation; supporting local energy efficiency and conservation efforts; strengthening and stabilizing the housing market; providing services to support the health and stability of families; and supporting community safety. NLC's core lobbying principles include avoiding unfunded mandates, preserving local authority and protecting the intergovernmental partnership.
Congressional Caucus of Former Local Elected Officials
NLC and the National Association of Counties (NACo) formed the Congressional Caucus of Former Local Elected Officials in 2021. The bipartisan caucus brings together members of Congress with prior service in local government to improve intergovernmental partnerships, provide up-to-date information about mutual policy interests to members of Congress and their staffs, and ensure the local government voice is heard in federal decision-making.[4]
Conferences
NLC hosts the annual City Summit conference in a different city held annually in November at which municipal officials participate in workshops, general sessions, networking opportunities and leadership training seminars. NLC's other yearly conference is the Congressional City Conference, held annually in March in Washington, D.C. Thousands of municipal officials discuss NLC’s legislative priorities with Members of Congress and the Administration, share promising practices, discuss policy and participate in leadership training opportunities.
Programs
Center of Municipal Practice
NLC's Center for Municipal Practice is dedicated to addressing key challenges faced by our member municipalities and cities across the country. These challenges include various critical areas, including housing, public safety and justice, transportation, infrastructure, racial equity, sustainability, economic development, emerging technologies, and more. The center offers technical assistance, educational resources, peer learning and grant opportunities, and innovative ideas that empower local leaders to build and sustain vibrant communities.
The Center for Leadership, Education, Advancement & Development (LEAD)
The Center for Leadership, Education, Advancement and Development is the go-to place for city leaders seeking to improve outcomes for children and families. With expertise in early childhood success, education and expanded learning, promoting a culture of health and wellbeing, youth and young adult connections, LEAD reaches cities of all ages and brings together local leaders to develop strategies via technical assistance projects, peer learning networks, leadership academies, and more.
LEAD encompasses the Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (IYEF), the National League of Cities University (NLCU), and the Local Infrastructure Hub. IYEF was founded in 2000 and focuses on transforming how municipal leaders envision their roles in improving outcomes for all children, youth, and families in their communities. The National League of Cities University is a professional development center for elected officials (mayors and city council members) and municipal staff, with trainings and courses designed to enhance local leaders and staff’s ability to govern, work across sectors, manage systems change, and achieve equitable outcomes. The Local Infrastructure Hub is a national program designed to connect cities and towns with the resources and expert advice they need to access federal infrastructure funding to drive local progress, improve communities, and deliver results for residents.
Center for Member and Partner Engagement
NLC’s Center for Member and Partner Engagement oversees relationships with more than 2,700 member municipalities of NLC, the 49 state municipal leagues nationwide, and over 50 trusted strategic partners. The Center consists of four distinct services: Member Services and Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, State League Services and Risk Information Sharing Consortium (RISC).
Member Services and Engagement actively strives to recruit new members while collectively strengthening the representation of cities, towns, and villages throughout the country. They also engage current member municipalities through NLC's six constituency groups, seven member councils, and seven committees.
Strategic Partnerships facilitates connections between NLC's strategic partners and local leaders, fostering collaborations to make America’s cities smarter, more responsive, and economically vibrant. They bring private sector perspectives and solutions to issues facing cities, support NLC’s mission to strengthen local communities across the country and promote the exchange of ideas between corporate and local leaders.
State League Services supports NLC's founding members, the state municipal leagues, who are essential partners in strengthening local leadership, influencing federal policy, and driving innovative solutions.
NLC RISC provides resources and education around property, liability, workers’ compensation, unemployment, and/or employee benefit programs to their 16,000+ member cities, towns, counties and other local government entities.
Publications
The National League of Cities oversees a range of publications including the blog CitiesSpeak, the newsletter The Weekly (formerly Nation's Cities Weekly), and several social media channels. NLC also produces original research on topics such as technology, education, municipal finance, public safety, and mayoral priorities, and more.
