This February, we’re showing our appreciation for every gift, large and small, given to ICMA’s Future of Professional Management Fund. Kudos to members such as you from cities, towns, and counties throughout the country, who strengthen ICMA’s ability to advocate for professional local government management. Thank you for your generous gift!

Established in 1986, ICMA's Fund promotes the council-manager form of government and professional local government management through contributions to grassroots campaigns and programs such as the Life, Well Run initiative.

Last year in Clearwater, Florida (pop. 115,513), for example, ICMA provided promotional resources and a financial contribution from its Future of Professional Management Fund to assist the “No Boss Mayor Clearwater Committee” in fighting a long, hard battle to retain the council-manager form. Thanks to these efforts, in November 2018, residents in this key Florida city soundly defeated an initiative (spearheaded by the city’s business community) to adopt the mayor-council structure by a 59-to-41-percent margin. A representative of “No Boss Mayor” said afterwards, “We could not have done it without the help of ICMA and others.”

Not every advocacy campaign is an immediate success, but efforts to educate the public about the value of the council-manager form and professional management are never in vain. Also in 2018, ICMA’s Fund provided financial and other resources to “Moving Danville Forward” in Danville, Illinois (pop. 31,424). Despite more than six months of hard work by the group, residents voted to retain their current aldermanic form of government. A representative of “Moving Danville Forward” had this to say in the aftermath of the disappointing vote:

"Our collective efforts to educate the citizens of Danville and provide them with specific examples of how council-manager government works were highly beneficial for this campaign, as well as the many discussions that took place throughout our community. Positive change has already taken place…The level of discussions has been elevated among the city council and the citizens who elect them. Even some of those supporting the opposition have acknowledged that they were enlightened as to what is critical for Danville's future, and the need for more and better participation…. There is little doubt professional management will resurface in Danville's future, and it is our hope this effort has prepared a good foundation to continue building on. THANKS TO ALL!!!"  

Help us feel the love as we continue our efforts to advocate on behalf of council-manager government and professional management. Give now to ICMA’s Future of Professional Management Fund.