Mission
Improve the quality of life for our nation’s residents by assisting communities in implementing the Baldrige-based Communities of Excellence framework.
"For America to sustain its vitality, promote opportunity, and create a more equitable society during its second 250 years of existence, we must improve the performance of communities and the people who lead and live in them." Learn more and get involved.
Events
Fundraisers and events help us raise awareness and generate crucial resources to serve our community. Join us at our next event and see how you can get involved.
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Events
We regularly travel around the country to spread the word about Communities of Excellence 2026 and the important work going on in our Learning Collaborative communities. Join us at our next event and see how you can get involved.
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A Growing Sense of Urgency
“America faces great challenges as we approach the year 2026 – the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. We believe the greatest of these challenges—in educational attainment, job creation, and health status—are most effectively confronted at the community level. ” Read on
Kruse Scholars
Meet the Next Generations of Leaders: Learn more about the Kruse Communities of Excellence Scholarship recipients
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News
New Version of the Communities of Excellence Framework is now available!
Thanks to feedback from our faculty, staff and Learning Collaborative community leaders, the 2019 revision of the Framework is now complete and ready for viewing.
Where to view the Communities of Excellence Framework:
Click on the Framework link on our website.
For printed copies email us at info@communitiesofexcellence2026.org. Printed copies will be shipped depending on availability. A printing and shipping fee will apply. Minimum of 10 per order.
What's New with the Framework:
Criteria were updated consistent with the recent Baldrige Criteria update where relevant.
Most significant revisions are found in Categories 3 and 5, the Notes and the Glossary.
Improvements and clarifications to the language in the Core Values.
Minor grammar and editing errors were fixed.
Communities of Excellence 2026 would like to give a special thanks to Ellen Garshick for her thoughtfulness and leadership in completing these revisions
Six communities join Cohort Three of the National Learning Collaborative
Beginning October 1st, these 6 communities will join the 12 communities already on their journeys to excellence.
What the National Learning Collaborative Does:
• Train and support community leaders in the adoption of the Baldrige-based Communities of Excellence Framework – A proactive framework for cross-sector collaboration and performance excellence.
• Provide opportunities for communities to work together, share successes, challenges, ideas and best practices, and learn from each other on their performance excellence journeys.
How We Do It:
Activities include an in-person meeting in October, prework and assignments, twice monthly web-based sessions, and one-on-one expert progress reviews. The curriculum is designed for communities at varying levels of readiness to advance their community’s current efforts, learn from and share best practices with each other and includes access to our online communications platform.
See our map of communities here: https://cdn.firespring.com/images/b85536e2-584a-401a-917c-1b3c86f98da0.jpg
We look forward to sharing the progress of all 18 communities over the next year!
