About the City Data Alliance

The Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance (City Data Alliance or CDA), led by the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence (GovEx) at Johns Hopkins University, works with mayors and senior city leaders across the Americas to translate data and AI into measurable improvements for residents.

Cities in the program move beyond planning and into practice. The City Data Alliance supports city teams in designing, testing, and launching focused, data-driven projects that address pressing resident-facing challenges. Through a structured, practice-based approach, cities strengthen both their ability to deliver results in the near term and their institutional capacity to sustain and scale what works over time.

What Cities Do in the Program

Cities enter with a resident-facing problem that has proven difficult to solve. Over the course of the program, city teams:

  • Define a focused, resident-centered project
  • Test possible solutions before scaling
  • Pilot a minimum viable solution in practice
  • Use evidence to guide adaptation and scale
  • Strengthen institutional capacity

Each city leaves with a validated solution and clearer judgment about how to apply data and AI to future challenges.

What the City Data Alliance Provides

Selected cities receive hands-on support, including:

  • Dedicated strategic coaching
  • Access to data science and AI expertise
  • Practical workshops to guide cities the right way
  • Peer learning with participating cities
  • In-person convening for senior leaders 

What types of cities qualify?

Cities best suited for the City Data Alliance typically:

  • Serve 100,000 or more residents
  • Have a mayor with at least two years remaining in office
  • Demonstrate leadership commitment to using data and AI to improve resident outcomes
  • Have strong data foundations and relevant analytical capacity
  • Can dedicate a cross-functional team with decision-making authority

Learn More About the Program

For a detailed overview of the City Data Alliance approach, program journey, expectations for participating cities, and illustrative project typologies, download the full program information booklet.

Download Materials

Have questions about eligibility, time commitment, or the application process? Review our Frequently Asked Questions.

Any other questions? Contact our team at DataAlliance [at] bloomberg.org (DataAlliance[at]bloomberg[dot]org)