EXPANDING TRUST THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
CBOs as Bridges, Not Substitutes
Trust is earned by showing people their input matters and making participation accessible. Partnering with trusted community based organizations (CBOs) can help, if it complements direct engagement.
Our data shows that residents are 69% more likely to participate if contacted through CBOs.
But don’t forget, CBOs work best as outreach partners, not substitutes for direct public participation.
WHY CBO PARTNERSHIPS MATTER
CBOs provide access to networks and stakeholders you might not reach directly, helping diversify participation and build trust. However, they work best as outreach partners, not substitutes for direct engagement.
What this means for you:
By leveraging CBO networks, you can expand your reach while keeping participation authentic and direct. PublicInput’s CBO module makes it easy to partner with trusted community groups, track engagement, and close the loop. This approach turns first-time participants into lifelong contributors and ensures your outreach represents the broader community.
NCDOT: EXPANDING REACH THROUGH COLLABORATION AND CBO PARTNERSHIPS
North Carolina DOT demonstrates how partnering with community-based organizations and internal teams can extend engagement into new areas. Using PublicInput, NCDOT centralized feedback from thousands of participants, dozens of surveys, and hundreds of meetings across urban and rural communities.
The platform enabled transparent, inclusive, and data-driven transportation planning, while fostering stronger cross-department collaboration. By combining technology with trusted CBO networks, NCDOT ensured more residents were reached, more voices were heard, and decisions reflected the full diversity of the communities they serve.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2025 U.S. National Look at How Residents Connect with Local Government
Residents want to participate directly — proxies don’t cut it anymore.
Demonstrating reach builds confidence among residents.
Learn which formats resonate and where opportunities exist to reach more people.
CBOs work best as outreach partners, not substitutes for direct public participation.
Residents want transparency and to know their input shapes real decisions.
By modernizing formats, closing awareness gaps, and building trust local governments can move beyond the “angry few” and engage the full community.