Zac Alfson, a local community leader, recently took part in the Next City Vanguard program—a gathering of changemakers and urban innovators held in Lexington, Kentucky. Over several days, Zac explored how cities are tackling challenges like equity, civic engagement, and community resilience. Inspired by standout initiatives, he’s now sharing his take on the creative projects and strategies he encountered and how these ideas could be adapted to make a meaningful impact in Orlando.
CivicLex (Website), a nonprofit in Lexington, Kentucky, is dedicated to closing the gap between local government and the community it serves. Established in 2017, CivicLex emerged as a response to the growing disconnect between residents and civic institutions. Its mission is straightforward yet ambitious: to foster a more engaged and informed citizenry by demystifying local governance and encouraging public involvement. This initiative uses a three-pronged approach—civic education, civic transformation, and relational development—to empower residents and reshape how they interact with local leadership.
Through a range of educational programs, events, and collaborations, CivicLex provides residents with the tools to understand how local government functions and, more importantly, how they can influence it. For example, the organization’s Civic Artist Residency program embeds local artists within city agencies, creating unique avenues for public engagement that go beyond traditional meetings and hearings. These artists work to make government processes more accessible, using their creativity to translate complex bureaucratic procedures into interactive public experiences that draw people in and make them feel part of the process.
In its civic transformation work, CivicLex partners directly with government bodies to rethink how public processes unfold. This includes redesigning the city council’s legislative procedures to ensure that residents have more opportunities to weigh in on key decisions before they are finalized. The emphasis is on relationship-building and shared governance, with CivicLex acting as a bridge between officials and residents to cultivate a culture of trust and mutual respect.
Sustaining these efforts requires substantial funding, which CivicLex secures through a combination of local donations, memberships, and national grants. Over its relatively short history, the organization has raised more than $1.5 million, with significant contributions from entities like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lenfest Institute’s Facebook Journalism Project. This funding structure enables CivicLex to remain nimble, expanding its programs to meet community needs while continuing to deliver on its core mission.
For cities like Orlando, which face similar challenges with public trust and civic engagement, the CivicLex model could offer a valuable blueprint. As Orlando prepares for a leadership transition after 24 years under Mayor Buddy Dyer, who has said he is planning not to run again after his current term ends in 2027, the timing is ideal for introducing a new organization dedicated to deepening resident engagement. CivicLex’s success in Lexington highlights the potential benefits: an Orlando counterpart could create educational platforms to demystify local policies, hold public workshops on city planning, and offer interactive spaces that encourage participation from historically marginalized communities.
Orlando’s growth has brought with it a complex set of challenges, including rising housing costs, strained community relationships, and ongoing discussions about equitable development. Implementing a CivicLex-style model would not only help tackle these issues but also ensure that residents play a central role in shaping the city’s future. The CivicLex approach—prioritizing transparency, inclusivity, and active relationship-building—would help restore trust in local government and inspire more residents to get involved in decisions that directly impact their lives.
CivicLex has developed a comprehensive set of resources, known as CivicLex Commons, to help other communities replicate its approach to civic engagement. The toolkit includes a community engagement handbook, guides on effective public meeting facilitation, and templates for launching similar initiatives. These resources are designed to demystify local government processes and provide step-by-step instructions on building transparent, participatory systems that strengthen civic health. By sharing these tools openly, CivicLex aims to empower communities nationwide to foster trust and collaboration between residents and local governments.
As Orlando builds its civic muscle to enter a new era, creating an organization like CivicLex could lay the groundwork for a more vibrant civic landscape, where residents feel empowered to voice their concerns, offer ideas, and work alongside leaders to craft a vision for a stronger, more inclusive community.