About NACo

  • Basic page

    About NACo

    The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments.  Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government, and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.

    Mission

    Strengthen America’s counties.

    Vision

    Healthy, safe and vibrant counties across America.

    About NACo

    The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, serving nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees.  Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to:

    • Advocate county priorities in federal policymaking
    • Promote exemplary county policies and practices
    • Nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks
    • Optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings, and
    • Enrich the public’s understanding of county government.

    Values

    We are passionate about advancing excellence in public service to help people and places thrive across America.

    We embrace and respect our diversity of experience, heritage and thought.

    We sustain our ingenuity and impact by harnessing our collective knowledge and by cultivating collegiality, civility and inclusivity.

    We are steadfast in our shared pursuit to enrich our membership value exponentially, guided by the belief that stronger counties result in a stronger America.

    Performance Priorities

    Member Engagement: Inspire exemplary county leadership

    • Intensify member participation and experiences
    • Present world-class forums for peer networking and knowledge exchange
    • Cultivate leadership skills development and lifelong learning
    • Optimize alliances with state associations, affiliates and strategic partners

    Policy Advancement: Achieve county priorities in national policymaking

    • Elevate the importance of counties in setting America’s public policy
    • Attain county policy priorities at the federal level
    • Drive favorable national and state policy initiatives and models
    • Produce definitive, actionable county research and data analytics

    Thought Leadership: Amplify county solutions in public service excellence

    • Empower county leaders with evidence-based policies and practices
    • Forge multi-sector partnerships for county innovation and impact
    • Showcase and recognize county excellence
    • Enrich the public’s understanding of county government through civic and youth education

    Financial Health: Optimize county and association resources and cost savings

    • Secure and sustain the association’s financial position
    • Be impeccable stewards of the association’s assets
    • Evolve existing enterprise programs for sustained member value
    • Advance new value-added, cost-effective solutions for counties and the public

    Talent and Wellbeing: Perform as a preeminent association

    • Embody NACo’s Values and Code of Practice
    • Thrive as a premier employer of choice
    • Expand the skills, horizons and engagement of the NACo staff
    • Assist counties in workforce attraction, retention and wellness
    The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments.  Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange
    2018-01-08
    Basic page
    2022-08-17

The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments.  Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government, and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.

Mission

Strengthen America’s counties.

Vision

Healthy, safe and vibrant counties across America.

About NACo

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, serving nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees.  Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to:

  • Advocate county priorities in federal policymaking
  • Promote exemplary county policies and practices
  • Nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks
  • Optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings, and
  • Enrich the public’s understanding of county government.

Values

We are passionate about advancing excellence in public service to help people and places thrive across America.

We embrace and respect our diversity of experience, heritage and thought.

We sustain our ingenuity and impact by harnessing our collective knowledge and by cultivating collegiality, civility and inclusivity.

We are steadfast in our shared pursuit to enrich our membership value exponentially, guided by the belief that stronger counties result in a stronger America.

Performance Priorities

Member Engagement: Inspire exemplary county leadership

  • Intensify member participation and experiences
  • Present world-class forums for peer networking and knowledge exchange
  • Cultivate leadership skills development and lifelong learning
  • Optimize alliances with state associations, affiliates and strategic partners

Policy Advancement: Achieve county priorities in national policymaking

  • Elevate the importance of counties in setting America’s public policy
  • Attain county policy priorities at the federal level
  • Drive favorable national and state policy initiatives and models
  • Produce definitive, actionable county research and data analytics

Thought Leadership: Amplify county solutions in public service excellence

  • Empower county leaders with evidence-based policies and practices
  • Forge multi-sector partnerships for county innovation and impact
  • Showcase and recognize county excellence
  • Enrich the public’s understanding of county government through civic and youth education

Financial Health: Optimize county and association resources and cost savings

  • Secure and sustain the association’s financial position
  • Be impeccable stewards of the association’s assets
  • Evolve existing enterprise programs for sustained member value
  • Advance new value-added, cost-effective solutions for counties and the public

Talent and Wellbeing: Perform as a preeminent association

  • Embody NACo’s Values and Code of Practice
  • Thrive as a premier employer of choice
  • Expand the skills, horizons and engagement of the NACo staff
  • Assist counties in workforce attraction, retention and wellness