NSFG is about applied innovation in state, city, and county government. It focuses on things that may appear to be not safe for government but really only sound dangerous - and can put the good back into public good. Bureaucracies resist the new, different, and disruptive. But the intractable problems and tired old processes of government need them. And citizens expect them.

NSFG's origins can be traced back to the GovTech Social podcast, which focused on the community of Govies - that is, social media practitioners in state and local government - with tips and tricks for going social in public regarding platforms, policy and practices.