2024 Impact Report

Aimee N. Wall

Dean

UNC School of Government

From the Dean

As we reflect on an incredible 2024 at the School of Government, I am so happy to share some of our success stories with you in this report.

It was an exciting year and new chapter for Growing Practical Solutions for North Carolina. Their efforts are helping North Carolina communities respond to drivers of change by producing well-researched tools and data and creating cultures that innovate and embrace change as an opportunity.

Our Civic Fellows form tight-knit bonds through the program, which was especially evident this year in the context of Hurricane Helene, a historic natural disaster.

The Civic Local Foundation scholarships continue opening doors for local government leaders across the state to participate in our courses, strengthen their skills, and enhance their ability to serve their communities effectively.

Additionally, the Innovation Fund played a key role in advancing the School’s strategic planning process in 2024. The fund has been invaluable in positioning the School to address emerging challenges and seize new opportunities.

Lastly, the Development Finance Initiative took on 41 different projects in 2024, helping local governments tackle housing challenges, invest in infrastructure, and explore opportunities for growth.

The School’s work encompasses a wide range of subjects, and it is through the support of our partners that we are able to create such an impact. Thank you for your continued partnership and for all that you do to support the School and our state.

K. Dwayne Naylor

CEO Civic Federal Credit Union and Local Government Federal Credit Union

A Note from the CEO

This year I am again appreciative of and proud to celebrate our partnership with the UNC School of Government. We have a shared vision to develop local government communities across North Carolina. At Civic, we know that strong financial wellness leads to effective work lives and ultimately makes for stronger communities. The ‘secret sauce’ that makes our partnership work so well is the ease of collaboration and genuine interest in serving those who take care of us, day in and day out—those who have chosen public service at the local level, where the effects are real, and make lasting impacts on North Carolina.

We celebrate more than 10 years of being a part of the School of Government’s work in programs such as Civic Fellows: Leading for Results, a professional development program for managers who will be the premier leaders of tomorrow’s North Carolina, and the Development Finance Initiative, bringing private and public partnerships together and making development projects come to life. We also celebrate more than 20 years of scholarships for local government employees to enhance their skills and career paths through ongoing education at the School.

We are grateful for this partnership and the success of the programs we’ve watched thrive and grow from idea to execution. We look forward to a future where together we continue to innovate and achieve for North Carolina communities.

Knapp-Sanders Building Campus Box 3330 UNC-Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3330

Find us at sog.unc.edu

Learn about our impact at sogimpact.sog.unc.edu