For over a decade, museum educators have discussed the need for civic or community engagement, where according to the American Alliance of Museums, a museum becomes "a center where people gather to meet and converse and an active, visible player in civic life, a safe haven, and a trusted incubator of change." What are the obstacles to practicing civic engagement and do the benefits outweigh the costs? In this paper, Stephen Long proposes a definition of community and makes the case that civic engagement can help a museum address pressing social concerns and needs. While there are many costs, the benefits far outweigh the expense. Not only does this engagement ensure that the museum remains relevant to the public, it can help raise more money, erase negative perceptions, increase attendance, and bring new vitality to the museum. As America's demographics continue to change ever more quickly, it's imperative for a museum's long-term success that it continues to change to meet the needs of these increasingly diverse communities.