2025 Invest in What Works
State Standard of Excellence

A national benchmark – a “north star” – for how state governments invest in what works.

About the 2025 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence

The 2025 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence demonstrates that states are increasingly using data and evidence to produce better, more equitable results for their residents.

Read More Press Release Analysis Methodology

14 States Recognized in 2025

Colorado
Minnesota
Tennessee

Maryland
North Carolina
Rhode Island

Connecticut
Michigan
New Jersey
New Mexico
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Utah

Oregon

13

States Certified in 2025

1

State Received Honorable Mention in 2025

44

U.S. States Represented in 2025

Featured Examples by State

Hover or click on a state to learn more about where it excels in State Standard of Excellence criteria.

  • Platinum Certified
  • Gold Certified
  • Silver Certified
  • Honorable Mention

2025 Criteria

The 2025 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence includes 12 criteria that are organized by thematic areas: Building Evidence, Using Learning, and Delivering Results. Read more about the Criteria breakdown here.

1. Evaluation Leadership

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Leading Example

Tennessee

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2. Data Leadership

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Leading Example

Ohio

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3. Investment in Capacity to Learn What Works

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Leading Example

Rhode Island

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4. Evaluation Policy and Learning

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Leading Example

North Carolina

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5. Data Policy and Practices

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Leading Example

Connecticut

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6. Investing in What Works through Grants and Contracts

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Leading Example

Tennessee

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7. Investing in What Works through Direct Services

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Leading Example

Colorado

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8. Investing in What Works through Budgeting

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Leading Example

Minnesota

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9. Performance Management

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Leading Example

Oregon

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10. Results-Driven Contracting

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Leading Example

Maryland

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11. Community Participation

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Leading Example

Utah

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12. Identifying Key Outcomes and Tracking Progress

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Leading Example

Pennsylvania

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Since day one, my Administration has been focused on delivering real results for the good people of Pennsylvania – and I am proud that the Commonwealth has been recognized for our work to bring people together to get stuff done. From cutting red tape in government and helping small businesses thrive to using evidence-based programs to reduce gun violence, we’re proud to make government work for Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth – and we’re not done yet.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro

In Tennessee, we are committed to making government work better for the people we serve by investing in programs that deliver real results. We are proud to once again be recognized as a Platinum-Certified State by Results for America's Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence. This recognition affirms our commitment to using evidence and data to steward our state's resources wisely and improve outcomes for all Tennesseans.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee

I am committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested wisely in programs and services that deliver real results and value for North Carolinians, and I am honored that Results for America has recognized our state as a national leader. We will continue innovating so that North Carolinians benefit from a government that works smarter, faster, and better for all.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein

I’m proud that Maryland is being recognized once again by Results for America for following the data and making smart investments that deliver tangible results for Marylanders. Since taking office, our administration has been data-driven and heart-led while responsibly stewarding taxpayer dollars that have driven proven outcomes for Maryland families. We’ll continue to work together in our great state to deliver better services for our families and truly make this Maryland’s decade.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore

The Buckeye State focuses on results that give all Ohioans a chance to live up to their full potential. We built the groundwork for results-focused budgeting with state-of-the art data systems. I am pleased that Results for America has again recognized Ohio for investing in what works. We are leading the way by turning data into information that we use to grow and diversify our economy, build and upskill our workforce, and protect our people and our resources.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine

Utah measures what matters and funds what works, scaling programs that help children and families and changing course when they don’t. By empowering talented Utahns to lead and prove results, we’re consistently recognized as the best-managed state.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox

Results for America’s analysis is based on data provided from an annual survey of state government officials, supplemented by secondary research. Results for America thanks all the state government leaders who contributed to the 2025 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence.