In October, I joined peers from around the world at the Public Innovators Network Summit 2025, hosted by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. The summit brought together local government innovation leaders to exchange ideas, strengthen networks, and share strategies for transforming public… [ Keep reading ]
CiviForm has received over 50,000 applications for City benefit and discount programs to connect families with everything from fresh food and childcare to transit passes and home repairs This fall, the City of Seattle’s CiviForm platform was named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025 and also reached the… [ Keep reading ]
This month, Seattle’s Innovation & Performance Team partnered with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections and the AI2 Incubator to host our second Community Innovation Hackathon at the AI House on Seattle’s waterfront. At this event, teams were challenged to envision the use of data and AI tools to… [ Keep reading ]
This month, Seattle’s Innovation & Performance Team convened an incredible group of technologists, students, nonprofits, and startups at the AI House on Seattle’s waterfront. At this event—the first in the new Community Innovation Hackathon Series—we challenged local innovators to leverage AI to help us connect teens with the programs and… [ Keep reading ]
What happens when young people are directly involved in building solutions for themselves and their peers? This summer, we had the privilege of finding out by hosting two Seattle Youth Employment Program interns to support our Youth Connector initiative. Research shows that being involved in sports, clubs, internships, and other… [ Keep reading ]
From cutting application times by 80% to an ad campaign that quadrupled website visits, Seattle is making great strides to transform how residents apply for benefits and discounts. At the heart of this effort is CiviForm, a one-stop-shop portal makes applying for multiple benefit programs simpler, faster, and more accessible… [ Keep reading ]
This year, Innovation & Performance is working with partners at the City of Seattle, youth and trusted adults, parents, and mental health experts in the community to re-imagine how young people connect with resources. Whether it’s mental health counseling, recreation activities, job training, or other programs, the Youth Connector initiative… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle’s work in data-driven innovation is making headlines. Two recent news stories spotlight the City’s efforts to deliver real solutions and improved services for residents, with partnership from the Seattle Innovation & Performance Team. Driving Change with Data and Digital Tools Innovation & Performance Director Leah Tivoli recently appeared on… [ Keep reading ]
On March 4, 2025, Seattle took an important step to address displacement by launching the Anti-Displacement Work Group, a product of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Executive Order on Strengthening Anti-Displacement Strategies. The Work Group unites key department leaders and policymakers across the City to develop targeted solutions that will help residents… [ Keep reading ]
How do I contract with the City of Seattle? Until August 12, 2024, there was no simple answer to that seemingly simple question. Different departments had different procurement systems for the three main buckets of contracts: public works, consulting, and purchase of goods and services. Those bids were in turn… [ Keep reading ]
