Results for America Awards Cambridge With Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Highest Level Certification for Exceptional Use of Data

Cambridge is p ro ud to announce that Results for America has awarded it Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Plat inum Certification for establishing exceptional data capabilities to inform policy, allocate funding, improv e services, e valuate programs, and engage residents. The What Works Cities Certification standard reflects the practices, policies, and infrastructure municipalities must have in place to effectively harness data for better decision-making. Platinum is Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities' highest-level certification.

With this recognition, Cambridge is just one of five cities to achieve Platinum Certification joining New York City, Phoenix, Tempe , and Glendale, Arizona. Cambridge has been awarded What Works Cities certifi cation five times, tying South Bend, Indiana for the most among c ertified cit ies . Cambridge initially a chieved Silver Certification in 2020 and Gold Certification in 2021 and 2023 and 2024 .

"Earning Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities' highest-level Certification confirms the City of Cambridge's commitment to using data to make informed decisions and deliver meaningful results for our residents," said Cambridge City Mana ger Yi- A n Huang. "Platinum Certification is a powerful testament to our dedication to evi dence-based policymaking, accountability, and serv ice excellence. It reflects the hard work of our staff and the leadership commitment that has steadily strengthened our data practices-from Silver to Gold to now Platinum-by embedding data into our planning, decision-making, and evaluation processes. This recognition highlights our ongoing efforts to make Cambridge stronger, more responsive, and more resilient. We are honored to be counted among the nation's leading data-driven governments."

"Cambridge's Platinum-level What Works Cities' Certification affirms our belief that data should not only inform decisions at City Hall, but also strengthen our connection with the public ," said Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui . " Through investments in data-driven resident engagement such as the Cambridge Open Data program and annual resident satisfaction surveys , our City staff are building a more transparent and accountable local government. This recognition refle c ts Cambridge's leadership and serves as a model for cities across the country seeking to use data to govern more equitably, effectively, and in partnership with their communities."

A nother notable example of Cambridge's use of data is the Cambridge Preschool Program, which provides free preschool to every 4 year-old and some 3 year-olds. The City launched the evidence-based program after reviewing academic research and evaluations from other jurisdictions showing that high-quality universal pre-K boosts early literacy and math skills, nar rows achievem ent gaps and yields long-term educational and workforce gains. Since its launch in 2024, more than 1,450 children have been served through the program.

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 . A city that achieves 51-67% of the 43 criteria is recognized at the Silver level of Certification, 68-84% is required to achieve Gold, and 85% or more is re quired to reach Platinum. The program is open to any city in North, Central, or South America with a population of 30,000 or more.

"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."

"The Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification is one of the largest-ever philanthropic efforts to improve how local governments use data to improve people's lives," said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. "This work is helping reform-minded City Managers and mayors across the Americas bring their organizations into the 21st century. Whether to stem housing shortages, reduce traffic fatalities, or improve resident service and responsiveness, city halls are tapping data, digital, and artificial intelligence to rise to the challenge - and we are thrilled to support their progress."

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

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.

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 , sign up for our newsletter , or follow us on Instagram , LinkedIn , YouTube , Threads , Facebook , and X .

About Results for America:

Results for America is helping decision-makers at all levels of government harness evidence and data to make progress on our greatest challenges. Our mission is to make investing in what works the "new normal," so that when policymakers make decisions, they start by seeking the best evidence and data available, then use what they find to get better results. For more information, visit results4america.org.