Building a new urban practice.

Living Cities works with cross-sector leaders in cities to build a new type of urban practice aimed at dramatically improving the economic well-being of low-income people. We believe that these four core elements of our work are key to these ends:

Open-Sourcing Social Change.

We work at the intersections of information, people, story, and technology to accelerate the uptake of promising solutions to social problems.

Collective Impact.

We support ambitious data-driven, results-oriented cross-sector tables who work together differently to achieve large-scale results and enduring change.

Capital Innovation.

We blend public, private and philanthropic financial resources in new ways to better meet the needs of cities and their residents.

Public Sector Innovation.

We work with public sector leaders to foster more nimble, collaborative, and data-driven local governments.

Explore the topics we address 

Where We Work

See all of the cities where we work. This map also features cities participating in our Integration Initiative, including highlighting our other work in those places.

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What We’re Thinking

Blog Post Lethy Liriano on Jan 10, 2019

Applying Healing Justice to Our Internal Journey in Racial Equity 

We're learning that if we want to do transformational work in the world, we must build interpersonal, restorative relationships.

Blog Post on Dec 5, 2018

After 20 Years, Three Regions Confront Their Divisions 

Collective reflections on the efforts of three leaders to achieve inclusive growth and adopt a racial equity framework

Resource on Mar 15, 2018

Operationalizing Racial Equity & Inclusion at Living Cities: Frequently Asked Questions 

What does it mean to operationalize racial equity in organizations? How does that change our day-to-day work? Why is it important to do internal racial equity work?

Blog Post Nick Jean Baptiste on Dec 4, 2018

HiGro: Growing Businesses. Growing People. Growing Communities. Growing Profits 

Investing in an often-overlooked business model—family-run businesses—can create jobs, strengthen communities, and support families.

Blog Post Frank Mirabal on Nov 29, 2018

Why the City of Albuquerque Now Buys Local 

Frank Mirabal of the Albuquerque Mayor's Office writes about local government contracting, and why Albuquerque is working to keep more money in the city.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Safety and Justice Challenge 

Blog Post Kelli Cooper on Sep 11, 2018

Owning Our Future of “Tequity” in Albuquerque 

When entrepreneurs have a good idea, the skills to execute, and a strong work ethic, all arrows should point to success. Yet many entrepreneurs in Albuquerque—especially entrepreneurs of color from N…

Blog Post Ashleigh Gardere & Lynnette White-Colin on Aug 1, 2018

300 Years in the Making: Racial Equity, Entrepreneurship and Capital Innovation… 

In the first of a three-part series from cohort members, New Orleans discusses its rich history of entrepreneurship among people of color, and the gaps and biases inherent in its entrepreneurial ecos…

Explore the people who are creating change