New Data Illustrates Progress and Opportunities for Arizona’s Civic Health

A new update to the Arizona Civic Health Progress Meters, including Civic Participation and Connected Communities, indicates that while Arizona has made significant strides in volunteerism, community collaboration, and consumer activism, important opportunities remain to strengthen public participation and civic dialogue. The new data represent key pillars of the Arizona Progress Meters and are released by the Arizona Civic Life Partnership, which is led by Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership (AZCCL) at the Flinn Foundation.

Civic health reflects how we engage with each other, participate in public life, and build trust with leaders, institutions, and communities. It’s foundational to achieving The Arizona We Want: a shared vision for the state’s success built on CFA’s extensive survey research that reflects what Arizonans value most, including civic engagement that solves real problems, democracy that works for everyone, and collective action that leads to greater impact.

“Vibrant, strong civic health isn’t just a goal—it’s the foundation for opportunity, connection, and lasting success for all Arizonans,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, CFA Chair, President & CEO. “These findings show that progress is possible when we work together and challenge us to imagine an Arizona where civic engagement is the driving force behind our state’s future.”

With support from the National Conference on Citizenship, the Arizona Civic Health Progress Meters track over 10 key indicators that reveal how well Arizonans are able to come together to find solutions and drive progress. The latest findings show:

• More Arizonans are working with neighbors to create positive change in their communities.
• Volunteerism is up, with Arizona outpacing the national average and improving its national ranking by four positions.
• 1 in 5 Arizonans have supported or boycotted a product based on their values, ranking Arizona 19th nationally.
• Only 8 percent of Arizonans reported contacting a public official or attending a public meeting last year.
• Arizona ranks 35th nationally for residents discussing politics at least a few times a week with family and friends; 30 percent engage frequently in these conversations, which is slightly below the national average.

In addition to the above indicators, CFA is publishing additional, relevant data on civic health, including newly collected information on connections between civic health and the workplace. These data provide new insights into the ways that Arizonans can engage in civic and community life, with workplaces as a key entry point:

• Arizona ranked in the bottom quartile of the states that measured whether Arizonans are proud to work for their employer and if their workplace contributes to the community.

“The Arizona Civic Health Progress Meters offer a clear snapshot of how Arizonans are engaging in their communities — and where there’s room to grow,“ said Dr. Tammy McLeod, President & CEO, Flinn Foundation. “It’s encouraging to see more volunteering and neighbor-led action. At the same time, the data shows we must do more to foster dialogue, participation, and civic connection. Workplaces, in particular, are emerging as powerful platforms to strengthen civic life across Arizona.”

The Arizona Civic Health Progress Meters are more than a reflection of where we are today — they are a tool to help move Arizona toward the future Arizonans want. The data provide a shared understanding of Arizona’s civic health — but shared goals are the bridge between data and action. That’s why CFA and AZCCL, through the Arizona Civic Life Partnership, are committed to turning insights into impact by collaborating with leaders, communities, and organizations to define clear, action-oriented aspirations for Arizona’s future.

As part of that commitment the partners will:

• Engage and convene state and national leaders to share knowledge, align around common priorities, and collaborate on opportunities surfaced by the data.
• Reinforce the importance of civic health to our state’s future success by expanding indicators to better capture meaningful progress and publishing stories of real impact.
• Establish shared goals for key indicators — creating clear benchmarks that leaders, communities, and organizations can align around to drive collective success.

Through these efforts, we can not only track civic life but strengthen it, helping to build a more connected, empowered, and engaged future for all.

Explore the updated Civic Participation and Connected Communities Progress Meters.

Background on the Arizona Civic Health Progress Meters:
The Arizona Civic Health Progress Meters are part of CFA’s Arizona Progress Meters — developed to track how the state is doing on what matters most to Arizonans, according to extensive survey research outlined in The Arizona We Want.

The Arizona Progress Meters define, track, and measure Arizona’s progress on Civic Participation and Connected Communities, and offer the opportunity to frame conversations and prompt action by individuals and organizations throughout our state.

The data is analyzed in partnership with the Congressionally chartered National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), to provide a close look at the civic life of Arizonans by age, education, income, ethnicity, gender, and urbanicity.

The most recent set of data collected through the U.S. Census Current Population Survey in November 2023 shows the urgency of renewed and collective action to strengthen our state’s civic life.

About Center for the Future of Arizona
Center for the Future of Arizona is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "do-tank" that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Through survey research & reports, Arizona Progress Meters, and impact initiatives & programs, CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems. CFA leads impact initiatives and programs across the state and has deep and ongoing engagement in education, workforce development, and civic health, recognizing how essential these are to advancing economic prosperity, quality of life, and opportunity for all. Learn more at arizonafuture.org.

About the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership
The nonpartisan Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation enhances civic life in Arizona through civic education, engagement, and leadership-development programs. Flinn Young Leaders emphasizes civic learning and skill-building and helps teens imagine paths to making a difference. CivEx delivers educational programming for the public to become better-informed on Arizona policy and political topics. The Civic Leadership Collaborative and the Arizona Civic Life Partnership convene organizations that strengthen civic participation and connected communities. The Center’s cornerstone, the prestigious Flinn-Brown Fellowship, is an immersive experience for community leaders from diverse backgrounds. Fellows engage in rich discussions with policymakers and political experts; join a robust professional network; and gain understanding of how to address Arizona’s most pressing issues through public service.