Advocating adoption and retention of the council-manager form and establishing professional management positions are mission priorities for ICMA. #GivingTuesday 2023 on November 28 is the perfect time to renew your commitment to advocating professionalism in local government management by making a donation to ICMA’s Future of Professional Management Fund.

Mounting grassroots campaigns to educate residents about the value of professional local government management costs money. ICMA’s Future of Professional Management Fund has been there for resident-based groups and others that request financial assistance in support of these efforts. ICMA also maintains a variety of resources, including our popular brochure and animated video promoting the council-manager form—both underwritten by ICMA’s Future of Professional Management Fund—to increase public awareness about the benefits of professional management.

Why You Should Give: ICMA’s Fund Dollars at Work!

Your Gift to the ICMA Future of Professional Management Fund Supports:

• Advocacy for professional local government management.
• Adoption and retention of the council-manager form of government.
• Raising public awareness about the profession.
• Inspiring a new generation of local government leaders.

In the past year, ICMA has also supported communities with resources, statistics, editorial content, and funds. Here are recent examples:

• Portland, Maine (pop. 68,313) – As the largest city in Maine, the fight to retain the council-manager form of government had significant regional implications. While the charter commission advanced a number of initiatives to strengthen the voice of the people, they also sought to advance a mayor-council form of government to empower the mayor with veto power and eliminate council’s ability to hold the executive branch accountable for meeting the needs of the people. ICMA, in coordination and cooperation with the Maine Town and City Managers Association, helped to fund and support efforts to inform voters about the implications of the proposed changes to the form of government. Ultimately, the voters rejected the change to mayor-council government.
• Orland Park, Illinois (pop. 57,850) – When the mayor and members of the village board sought to abolish the village manager form of government and adopt a trustee-mayor form, local citizens groups grew concerned. ICMA provided research, insights, and messaging to help inform the community. ICMA’s director of advocacy served as a keynote speaker for a public community forum to address public questions and concerns. Voters ultimately agreed that the current village manager form of government was best suited to meet the needs of Orland Park.
   
• Ithaca, New York (pop. 31,710) – ICMA engaged with the Common Council to provide insights and research regarding mayor-council and council-manager governments. We provided data and speaking points to help the people of Ithaca recognize the potential value in adopting council-manager governance. As a result, voters adopted the council-manager form of government securing 73% of the vote.  
   
• Red Bank, New Jersey (pop. 12,920) – The borough of Red Bank sought to establish a more collaborative and efficient government to better address the needs of the community. ICMA offered data and information to inform potential changes to their borough form of government. As a result, the voters chose to change to adopt the council-manager form of government.

How to Donate

To give today, we offer options to donate via credit card payment or you can mail, email or fax the donation form.

How You Can Help Spread the Word

Help us spread the word! Together, we can make an even greater impact on the local government management profession. Visit our social media pages on Giving Tuesday and share posts with your colleagues and local government peers to encourage donations. Be sure to tag @ICMA! 

• Facebook: @ICMAorg
• Twitter: @ICMA
• Instagram: @ICMAorg
• LinkedIn: International City/County Management Association
• Hashtags: #GivingTuesday #LocalGovGives

We’ve made it easy for you! Use the images, written copy, videos and more, straight from this page to your social media channels.

Here’s some copy you can use to help spread our mission and support our cause:

• Support the @ICMA Future of Professional Management Fund this #GivingTuesday to help advocate, support, raise public awareness for professional #localgov management as well as inspire a new generation of future leaders. #LocalGovGives https://bit.ly/3cZUk5d
• Why do I give to the @ICMA Fund? Because [INSERT HOW ICMA HELPED YOU]. Help ICMA continue to do amazing things in 2022! #GivingTuesday #LocalGovGives https://bit.ly/3cZUk5d
• Make your donation to the @ICMA Future of Professional Management Fund this #GivingTuesday to help us advocate professionalism in #localgov management! #LocalGovGives https://bit.ly/3cZUk5d