Request for Assessment for all Levels is Now Open!
Click Request for Assessment Button Below by May 15th to Confirm Your Intent to Submit an Application
Our Assessment and Recognition Program celebrates progress at many stages of a community's journey toward resilience and excellence. The three levels help guide and recognize communities as they align leadership, build trust, and make measurable improvements to quality of life for all residents. Explore the levels below to see where your community fits in.
Level 1 - Commitment
Laying the foundation for lasting change.
At this level, communities respond to the Community Profile questions that are part of the C.O.R.E. Guide. This is a powerful first step for community leaders, helping agree on a shared mission, vision, and values and begin to view their community through a common lens and agree on their key factors for success. This provides a strong foundation for the second level, the Journey level.
The Level 1 Assessment is available all year round and can be submitted at any time. The cost for this assessment is $1500.
In the Commitment level application you will define:
- Your cross-sector team's purpose, shared vision, and core values.
- The geographic and demographic boundaries of your community.
- The sectors, organizations, and groups that make up your core team.
- Your community’s key characteristics, such as population, assets, and challenges.
- The factors most critical to your success, resilience, and long-term vitality.
What you will receive:
- A detailed report with highlights and opportunities to guide continuous improvement from experience reviewers.
- A one-hour virtual conversation with a reviewer to discuss your report and next steps.
- A certificate acknowledging your community’s commitment and the opportunity to be recognized at our annual conference celebration.
Download the Instructions for a Level 1 Assessment
Level 2 - Journey
Turning alignment into coordinated community action
This assessment builds on the foundation established in Level 1 by examining how your community is organizing around shared priorities and beginning to take coordinated action. It focuses on how leadership, strategy, resident engagement, and data are being used to guide decisions and support early progress. This level helps your team assess what’s working, identify gaps, and strengthen your approach to achieve greater impact and move toward C.O.R.E. Recognition.
The cost for this assessment is $2500.
Key Dates:
April 15 - May 15 - Request for Assessment Period is Open
July 1 - Application Due
October 1 - Receive your Feedback Report and Recognition Certificate
In this application, you will define:
- How your leadership team is structured and operates.
- Your approach to setting strategy and engaging residents and stakeholders.
- How you use data, knowledge, and processes to support community improvement.
- The resources and people that power your community efforts.
- The progress you are making and how you are tracking it.
What you will receive:
- A comprehensive feedback report with strengths and opportunities for improvement from a team of experienced reviewers.
- A 60-minute virtual conversation with a reviewer to discuss your report and next steps.
- Recognition at our annual conference and a certificate celebrating your continued progress and journey.
Download the Instructions for a Level 2 Assessment
Level 3 - C.O.R.E. Recognition
Recognizing and accelerating Community Resilience and Excellence
At this level, your community demonstrates sustained cross-sector collaboration, effective use of data, and the ability to achieve and sustain measurable improvements in quality of life. Communities completing this assessment show they are using the full C.O.R.E. Guide criteria to drive meaningful change and measurable progress in quality of life.
Key Dates:
April 15 - May 15 - Request for Assessment Period is Open
July 1 - Application Due
October 1 - Receive your Feedback Report and Recognition Certificate
The cost for this assessment is $5000.
In this application you will define:
- Your leadership system and core strategies guiding community improvement
- How you engage and support residents and key stakeholder segments
- How your community manages operations, uses data, and improves performance
- Your approach to equity, resilience, and community-wide safety
- The results your community has achieved, including how they are measured, tracked, and communicated
What you will receive:
- A detailed feedback report with insights into your strengths and opportunities for continued growth.
- A 60-minute virtual conversation with a reviewer to discuss your progress and next steps.
- Recognition as a C.O.R.E. Community, including a certificate and eligibility to be honored at the national conference.
Download the Instructions for a Level 3 Assessment
Bronze, Silver, and Gold Community of Excellence Recognitions
At the C.O.R.E. Level you have the option to include a scoring and judging component designed to move communities towards eligibility for the new Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Community Category. Please contact us (stephanie@connectwithcore.org) for more information.
