Just like physical muscle, civic muscle strengthens when people actively engage — by getting involved locally, volunteering, voting, or on leadership roles. Contribution is how citizens exercise their power, shape their communities, and build collective strength.
501c(3) and 501c(4) Organizations
Nonprofit Organizations, Rate of 501c(3)s or 501c(4)s (Per 100,000 Pop.) by County, IRS 2023
Nonprofit organizations are essential for community contribution because they act as connectors – helping people not only meet needs but also find meaningful ways to give back. Community organizations offer people concrete ways to contribute their time, skills, money, or lived experience to causes they care about. Communities with fewer nonprofits have fewer opportunities for new and young people to become leaders. When local organizations are missing, communities lose both support systems and opportunities for engagement.
Fundraising, Volunteering, and Other Civic Activities
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, 2024
Civic participation is important because it’s how people actively shape, support, and sustain the places they live. When individuals engage in civic life — by voting, attending meetings, joining local groups, or advocating for change — they’re contributing to its direction, strength, and well-being. Low civic participation signals that people feel disconnected, unempowered, or excluded. When fewer people participate in civic life, decision-making is left to a small group.
Youth Employed or In School
Population age 16-19 Employed or Enrolled in School, Percent by County, US Census Bureau ACS, 2019-23
When young people participate in school activities, work part-time jobs, and attend events in the community, it fosters a sense of belonging. Communities where youth have dropped out of school or are not working see higher rates of poverty, drug abuse, and crime.
Census Response Rate
US Census Bureau ACS, 2019-23
When people participate in the Census, they’re doing more than filling out a form — they’re showing up, being counted, and signaling a sense of responsibility and belonging. Communities with high response rates often have residents who are more engaged in public life and more likely to contribute in other ways. High Census response rates are often found in communities where people have lived longer, know their neighbors, and feel safe. A low response rate can point to feelings of mistrust, marginalization, fear of visibility, and language barriers.
Voter Turnout
Voter Turnout, Rate by County, Townhall.com 2020 + 2024
Casting a vote is an act of civic responsibility — it’s a way for people to influence decisions about schools, housing, transportation, safety, and more. High voter turnout reflects a strong sense of belonging, responsibility, and shared investment. When turnout is low, it often reflects disengagement, distrust, or a lack of access — all of which reduce other forms of contribution too. People may feel their voice doesn’t matter, leading to withdrawal from public life altogether.
Labor Force Participation
Labor Force, Participation Rate by County, US Census Bureau ACS, 2019-23
Jobs connect people to coworkers, customers, and broader networks.
These relationships create trust, collaboration, and shared goals, which carry over into civic life. When people are disconnected from work — due to barriers like discrimination, lack of education, disability, or systemic exclusion — their skills, creativity, and insights go untapped. This weakens the overall community, not just economically, but socially and civically.
Missouri Good Neighbor Week
Signed into law in 2022, Missouri Good Neighbor Week encourages citizens of Missouri to “participate in events and activities to establish connections with their neighbors.”
Navigating Difference
Navigating Difference is an intercultural competency program for people who want to deepen their knowledge, skills and appreciation for connecting across diverse groups of all kinds. Navigating Difference is a highly interactive program taught in a welcoming environment for all learners, with activities that respect and support individual learning styles and perspectives.
Missouri Community L.A.B.
The Missouri Community L.A.B.’s mission is to increase participation in the community-building process by educating and supporting all in the quest to build strong, whole communities. Community L.A.B. hosts community development trainings from organizations and universities all in one platform.