As part of the 2024 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence, Results for America celebrates North Carolina and six other leading states for building and using evidence and data to drive taxpayer dollars toward proven solutions.

Washington, DC

Nov 21, 2024

At an event held November 20 with the National Governors Association to release the 2024 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence, Results for America celebrated North Carolina and six other leading states for building and using evidence and data to drive taxpayer dollars toward proven solutions.

The states featured in the 2024 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence invested billions of dollars in evidence-based solutions between 2021 and 2024. North Carolina earned a Silver Certification for excellence in Evaluation Policy and Learning, underscoring the state's commitment to continuous improvement through systematic evaluation practices. The Results for American state spotlights provides more details on the progress and leadership shown by North Carolina.

"Using evidence-based policy is critical to address the challenges facing our state and move North Carolina forward," said Governor Roy Cooper. "I'm thankful that we have been recognized for this honor again. We will continue to do all we can to use taxpayer money responsibly and efficiently, especially as we work to recover from Hurricane Helene."

"More than ever before, state leaders across the political spectrum recognize the importance of leveraging data and evidence to invest in what works," said Results for America Co-Founder and CEO Michele Jolin. "The certification process seeks to celebrate and expand on the successes that these states have already achieved in their pursuit of evidence-based solutions that accelerate economic mobility outcomes for all residents."

Through their results-driven budgeting, grantmaking and direct services, the honored states are expanding early childhood education opportunities, improving mental health outcomes, reducing recidivism rates and addressing other urgent problems facing their communities. The following states achieved top honors:

● Platinum: Minnesota and Tennessee
● Gold: Colorado
● Silver: North Carolina, Connecticut, Maryland, and Michigan.

Results for America's 2024 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence evaluates all states against 12 criteria that measure how they are leveraging their budgeting, grantmaking and direct services authority to invest in what works and deliver better results for their residents faster. A record 48 states are represented in this year's State Standard of Excellence in some way, an increase from 46 states last year.