The National Civic League has announced that the City of Delray Beach, the City of Port St. Lucie, and the City of Tallahassee have been named finalists for the All-America City Award. The award, typically given to 10 communities each year, celebrates and recognizes neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, tribes, and regions that engage residents in innovative, inclusive, and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges.
This year’s primary focus is demonstrating exceptional civic capital and a commitment to strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement. Finalists are being recognized for their ability to bring people together, create positive change, and build thriving, resilient communities.
“Communities thrive when all residents have a voice in the policies and decisions that shape their lives. This year’s finalists are leading the way by removing barriers to participation and implementing programs that foster sustainability, resilience, and inclusive engagement,” said Doug Linkhart, President of the National Civic League.
Submissions were evaluated on the strength of the following criteria: shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact.
Delray Beach
Delray Beach earned the All-America City Award in 1993, 2001, and 2017.
During the 2025 application process, Delray Beach shared its community story and origin of being an agricultural frontier that developed through the collective practices of diverse settlers. The city’s spotlighted projects focused on three impact areas: environmental equity and inclusion, youth eco-consciousness, and citywide policies.
Delray Beach’s Environmental Equity Campaign is a collaborative initiative that mobilizes residents in low-to-moderate income areas to mitigate harmful environmental impacts. The city partnered with Community Greening, a nonprofit organization founded by two Delray Beach residents, to improve the environment for all, especially those with higher exposure to pollution, poor air quality, and food scarcity. Collaborative campaigns include a tree planting program, tree giveaways, and urban orchard placement.
Delray Beach’s youth eco-consciousness projects are a collaborative effort with nonprofits such as Delray Beach Children’s Garden, Sandoway Discovery Center, and the Delray Beach Historical Society to support youth participation in environment conservation and preservation programs.
Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie’s application focused on an extensive array of engagement activities between the city, residents, and community, including its annual #IamPSL Citizen Summit and its citizen-driven strategic planning process. It also focused on the city’s significant environmental efforts, including Port St. Lucie’s Septic-to-Sewer program, the St. Lucie River/C-23 Water Quality Project at McCarty Ranch, and the community-driven establishment of the City’s new Naturally PSL: Green Spaces and Places Program.
Tallahassee
Tallahassee was first recognized as an All-America City in 1999 and earned it again in 2015.
“I am thrilled that Tallahassee has been selected as a finalist for the 2025 All-America City Award,” Mayor John Dailey said. “We are a dynamic, forward-thinking community where passionate residents come together to create a sustainable future for all. Earning our third All-America City designation would be an incredible honor, and I’m excited to showcase Tallahassee’s strengths – our unique culture of collaboration and our shared dedication to continually enhancing the quality of life that makes us truly stand out.”
The City of Tallahassee highlighted key community-driven initiatives, including the Southside Action Plan, the expansion of the park system to 100 parks, and the Clean Energy Plan.
The finalists will present their stories of success and impact in June for the next stage of the competition. For more information about the National Civic League and the All-America City Award, visit www.nationalcivicleague.org.
