National Conference on Citizenship

NCoC is a congressionally chartered organization dedicated to strengthening civic life in America. We pursue our mission through a cutting-edge civic health initiative, an innovative national service project, and cross-sector conferences. At the core of our efforts is the belief that every person has the ability to help their community and country thrive.

Congress chartered NCoC in 1953 to harness the patriotic energy and civic involvement surrounding World War II. We've been dedicated to this charge ever since. In 2009, Congress named NCoC in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, once again memorializing our important role. This legislation codified and expanded our Civic Health Initiative (CHI) helping it become the nation's largest and most definitive measure of civic engagement.

NCoC's CHI is at the center of our work. Leveraging civic data, we have partnered with dozens of states, cities, and issue groups to draft reports and action plans to strengthen civic life. This initiative has also been an important incubator for programs such as the Civic Data Challengeand The Civic 50. Each program has used data and 21st century tools to create locally led, collective impact across our country. By 2020, we plan to integrate this pioneering initiative into ongoing partnerships in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

In 2013, NCoC expanded our programs to promote national service. We have taken a leading role in the creation of the Service Year exchange. We are doing this work in partnership with the Franklin Project at the Aspen Institute. This exchange will be a dynamic, online marketplace designed to significantly increase service opportunities for Americans between 18-28 years old. It brings together young people seeking service positions, organizations seeking service members, and funders looking to support these efforts. Our goal is to make the most commonly asked question of a young person, "Where are you going to do your Service Year?"

The Annual Conference on Citizenship is NCoC's signature event. Held in proximity to Citizenship Day (also known as Constitution Day), NCoC convenes leaders in the field of civic engagement to exchange information and to discuss ways to progress our shared mission of encouraging Americans to become fully involved citizens. In addition to the Annual Conference, NCoC partners with institutions to host and convene programs, events, webinars, and discussions throughout the year.

We are passionate about collaboration and civic health, and we hope you join us in strengthening our country.