Indiana cities to compete for Goldsmith Prize, rewarding bold local innovation

INDIANAPOLIS – Sagamore Institute today announced creation of The Goldsmith Prize for Innovation in Local Government, a competition to develop and implement high-impact, collaborative innovation to address the challenges facing Indiana communities.

Sagamore President Teresa Lubbers made the announcement today to more than 50 Hoosier mayors attending the annual Aim Mayors Institute. “We are excited to partner with Aim to recognize and support leaders in local government who are willing to think outside the box to develop and implement creative ideas, tools, policies, practices and partnerships that transform public service delivery to address complex community challenges,” Lubbers said.

Peter Yonkman, president of Bloomington-based Cook Group and Cook Medical, and former U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks serve as co-chairs of The Goldsmith Prize.

“I’m excited to join business and civic leaders who are committed to helping mayors as co-chair of The Goldsmith Prize,” Yonkman said. “This is a great chance to support innovative ideas that tackle some of the biggest challenges in our Hoosier communities. By working together and thinking creatively, we can make a real difference in the lives of Indiana residents.

The prize honors the legacy of former Indianapolis Mayor (1992-99) and Marion County Prosecutor (1978-90) Stephen Goldsmith. Goldsmith continues to champion creative solutions for public challenges as a leading scholar at Harvard University.

“Is it an honor to join with Sagamore Institute, Aim and other state government and private sector leaders in honoring city officials whose innovative ideas will improve their communities,” Goldsmith said. “Substantial challenges face Indiana cities — large, medium and small. Those mayors who find ways to produce value and derive more from available revenues deserve recognition. I am pleased to be a part of that important effort.”

During his terms in office, Goldsmith faced similar challenges as today – with the city’s needs far exceeding revenue and resources. Starting with streamlining city services and reducing costs, Goldsmith then sought partnerships and innovation that enabled the city to reimagine the delivery of government services. Goldsmith’s visionary initiatives during eight years as mayor revitalized the city’s core, empowered and rehabilitated neighborhoods, attracted businesses and fostered growth.

Under Mayor Goldsmith:

• The unemployment rate in Indianapolis was cut in half.
• The overall crime rate was dramatically reduced.
• $1.3 billion was invested in neighborhood infrastructure.
• Downtown revitalization included completion of Circle Centre Mall, an expanded Convention Center, two new sports and entertainment complexes (Victory Field and Gainbridge Fieldhouse), the expansion of the Central Canal and attraction of the NCCA Headquarters, and a private sector investment of $7 billion — all of which reversed downtown’s skyrocketing vacancy rates.
• The city budget was reduced each year, with spending less in 2000 than when he took office in 1992.
• Property taxes were cut five straight years, with the rate reduced from 3.91 to 3.79.
• The County Option Income Tax rate remained the same for eight years.
• The city received AAA bond ratings from the nation’s largest financial agencies.

The outcomes delivered by this innovative approach to governing earned the capital city national accolades. Municipal leaders from across the U.S. and abroad visited Indianapolis to learn from Goldsmith and his team how they could replicate similar efforts in their communities.

The application process for the Goldsmith Prize begins May 1.  It is open to every Hoosier city, regardless of size. The deadline for submissions is July 31.

In August, a panel of notable leaders in the business sector, nonprofit organizations, and government will review applications to determine three finalists. Leaders from those communities will be invited to give a presentation on August 22. From those presentations, the inaugural winning community will be selected and announced at the Aim Ideas Summit at French Lick in October.

The award criteria focus on bold, sustainable solutions that:

• Leverage technology and data: using analytics and digital tools to improve decision-making and transparency.
• Foster collaboration: engaging public and private sectors, nonprofits, and residents to create solutions.
• Empower public employees: promoting experimentation, reducing barriers, and incentivizing problem-solving.
• Innovate creatively: drawing on diverse approaches and lessons from other cities to tackle challenges in new ways.

“Applications will be evaluated on the scope of innovation, not the specific issue area,” Lubbers said.

Innovations may address traditional local government functions such as public safety, infrastructure, regulation, recreation, and talent attraction. Innovative approaches to issues like mental health, use of technology, or workforce needs also may be the focus of a city’s nominated work.

Lubbers said the prize award will include resources, recognition, and inspiration. Resources will include the work assignment of a graduate student, beginning in 2026, who has experience in the winning project’s focus area.

The student will be compensated with a one-year stipend to lead the desired innovation. Additional technical advice and information resources will be provided, along with a platform to share success stories, foster partnerships, and encourage replication and innovation across the state.

“As a former deputy mayor under Mayor Goldsmith, I watched this winning strategy in action and how it benefited our community, and I am excited about the potential for Hoosiers across the state,” Brooks said. “We are eager to see applications that will demonstrate how local officials can harness technology and data, combine it with strategic public-private partnerships, and then leverage limited public resources to solve problems and transform local communities.”

To learn more and to access the application, visit goldsmithprize.com.