Smart Growth America is turning 25! What began with three staff members in 2000 has grown over the years, taking on new programs and priorities, and evolving with each community partnership, conversation on the hill, and each report we’ve written.

In the early days, there were only a handful of partners, but we did have a shared vision… and a lot of work ahead. At the time, smart growth wasn’t a widely understood concept. Complete Streets wasn’t a national movement. Housing, transportation, and land use were even more disconnected than they are today. Over the years, we found success thanks to that vision and the friends, partners, and local leaders who joined the movement for smarter, more connected communities.

Reflecting on our earliest mission statement reveals not only how far we’ve come but also how our core values continue to guide our achievements nearly 25 years later.

“Smart Growth America is a nationwide coalition promoting a better way to grow: one that protects farmland and open space, revitalizes neighborhoods, keeps housing affordable, and provides more transportation choices.” -Excerpt from the first mission statement on our website circa August 2002 

From our early days helping communities understand the cost of sprawl to advancing transit-oriented development in federal transportation legislation, we’ve evolved over time: shaping federal policy, supporting cities large and small, changing the conversation on walkable places and pedestrian safety, and helping leaders tackle the biggest challenges in their communities.

Today, Smart Growth America is a unique organization that connects the dots across sectors—housing, transportation, climate, equity, and governance—translating them into a practical, bipartisan, and results-oriented agenda. And our ideas don’t just come from thinking big thoughts in Washington, DC. They come from rolling up our sleeves to work with leaders on the ground, trying to make transportation safer, housing more affordable, and communities more resilient and livable. We see trends and commonalities in successful strategies and common challenges from our work across the country, study them to better understand “why,” and then develop recommendations for impact and advocate for those changes.

Taking stock

That iterative process is why it’s important that we look back and take stock of how much we’ve grown. Over the next two months, we’ll share stories from our work, highlight the local leaders driving change, and reflect on what’s next for SGA.

One story that helps demonstrate our impact, and an important throughline to our work, comes from a 2015 project in Macon, Georgia:

In April 2015, Smart Growth America traveled to Macon-Bibb County, GA, to run a workshop on implementing smart growth strategies. Macon had big plans for downtown revitalization, and the workshop helped local leaders turn those plans into actionable steps. Former Mayor Robert Reichart captured the impact of SGA’s work:

“Smart Growth America helped us put a monetary value on the decisions we make every day about what to build and where. Their work not only transformed how many of our elected leaders think, but provided the numbers we need to make the case for smarter growth to our residents.”

Later that year, SGA applied a new fiscal model for assessing development patterns, examining four potential growth scenarios for the city. The results were clear: building downtown would generate 4.7 times more fiscal benefit than developing at the edges of town. That analysis gave Macon’s leaders the evidence they needed to steer growth to their historic downtown, maximizing investment and supporting a more walkable, vibrant community.

“We couldn’t have done it without the assistance from Smart Growth America.” -Former Macon Mayor Robert Reichart

We’re proud of stories like these, where we shared our expertise with local leaders, helping them make the best possible decisions for their communities. Stories like these are why our work matters—from helping communities plan and grow more wisely, to shaping national policy, to supporting local leaders as they turn ideas into action—and we’re excited to share them with you.

But as we look back, our team is even more eager to take on the work ahead and achieve that vision we shared so many years ago. In 2026, there are massive opportunities at the federal level, from a comprehensive housing package with real momentum to major changes needed in the next surface transportation reauthorization package. With so much on the line, support from partners and friends is what allows us to meet the moment.

Want to help us work with more communities and meet the moment? Join us at SGA@25 to celebrate the milestones, toast the partners and communities who’ve made this work possible. Proceeds will support our work in 2026 and jumpstart our impact for the next 25 years.

Get your tickets now.