The City of Franklin, in a joint application with Franklin Tomorrow, has been selected by the National Civic League as one of 20 finalists in the All-America City competition.
The All-America City Award was built on a belief that has only grown more urgent over time: that the future of democracy is local. For over 75 years, communities have earned this recognition not just for what they’ve accomplished, but for how — by deepening relationships, crossing divides, and turning civic energy into lasting change.
“This year’s All-America City finalists remind us that the strength of democracy depends on engaged residents who are invested in shaping the future of the places they call home. As the nation marks 250 years since its founding, these communities are proving that civic health is improved block by block, through trust, belonging, and the collective power of people working together,” said Doug Linkhart, President, National Civic League.
Franklin was honored in 2020 as an All-America City, with the 2020 All-America City theme being “Enhancing health and well-being through civic engagement.” Franklin Tomorrow was part of this application as well for its staging of the On The Table experience. The award was focused on celebrating examples of citizen-driven civic engagement practices that advance health and well-being in local communities.
In early 2025, the city of Franklin, along with Franklin Tomorrow, was selected by the National Civic League as one of two cities to participate and conduct a healthy democracy project. This project is one of three highlighted in the joint application with the City of Franklin.
Numerous public events were held in 2025 and from that event, dialogues focused on three community priorities identified through surveys and meetings:
• Youth Engagement & Leadership
• Civic Awareness & Engagement
• Community Infrastructure & Public Services
One of the outgrowths of that project was the formation of a youth advisory council. Early in the process, the students met with Mayor Ken Moore and others and talked about the third place and finding how they belong in this community.
AAC finalists were selected through a competitive, expert-led review process evaluating each community across six criteria: shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact.
The 20 finalist communities, spanning 16 states, range in size from 12,000 residents to nearly 500,000.
What unites them — across differences of size, geography, and politics — is a deep pride in place and a shared conviction that residents deserve a real voice in the decisions that shape their lives.
Bowling Green-Warren County, Kentucky
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Conway, South Carolina
Franklin, Tennessee
Grand Island, Nebraska
Harlingen, Texas
Huntsville, Alabama
Jenks, Oklahoma
Monrovia, California
Montgomery, Alabama
Morrisville, North Carolina
Norfolk, Virginia
North Charleston, South Carolina
Opa-locka, Florida
River Forest, Illinois
Riviera Beach, Florida
Roanoke, Virginia
Stow, Ohio
Wichita, Kansas
Woodburn, Oregon
In early 2025, the city of Franklin, along with Franklin Tomorrow, was selected by the National Civic League as one of two cities to participate and conduct a healthy democracy project. Numerous public events were held in 2025 and from that event, dialogues focused on three community priorities identified through surveys and meetings:
• Youth Engagement & Leadership
• Civic Awareness & Engagement
• Community Infrastructure & Public Services
One of the outgrowths of that project was the formation of a youth advisory council. Early in the process, the students met with Mayor Ken Moore and others and talked about the third place and finding how they belong in this community.
The next chapter begins in Denver this June, where these communities will present their work, share their impact, and compete for the nation’s most storied and prestigious community recognition.