nonprofit logo

Common Cause Education Fund

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 311705370 ✦ Washington, DC ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

Shop smarter and support your favorite cause at the same time! With the Give Freely browser extension, you'll automatically save money with coupons, and partner stores will donate to your chosen charity - at no extra cost to you. Start giving back with a single click. It's safe, free, and spam-free, guaranteed!

Overview

What is Common Cause Education Fund?

The Common Cause Education Fund is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that collaborates with Common Cause, a nonpartisan grassroots group dedicated to maintaining open, fair, and accountable governance. Their mission encompasses ensuring equal rights, opportunities, and representation for all, and empowering citizens to participate equally in the political process. The organization focuses on four primary issue areas: voting and elections, money and politics, ethics, transparency, and government accountability, and media and democracy. Through research, outreach, educational programming, and coalition building, they aim to increase public understanding of democratic processes, promote citizen engagement, and hold their government accountable. The Common Cause Education Fund also works on various initiatives related to voting and elections, such as protecting the right to vote, managing election protection programs, and providing resources on political violence prevention and response. Additionally, they have implemented fellowship programs to increase civic engagement on college campuses and in surrounding communities.

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Rating from Charity Navigator: 97% (Four-Star out of Four Star rating)

Common Cause Education Fund has received a commendable Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a strong level of accountability and financial management. The organization boasts a high percentage of independent board members and has implemented robust policies for audits, conflict of interest, and transparency. The financial metrics are impressive, with a program expense ratio of over 82% and low fundraising costs, demonstrating effective use of donor contributions.

User feedback reflects a mix of admiration and criticism. Supporters praise the organization's commitment to voting integrity and anti-gerrymandering efforts, highlighting its role in empowering voters and advocating for democratic reforms. These positive reviews often emphasize the organization's persistence and effectiveness in tackling complex political issues, showcasing significant achievements in local and national advocacy.

Conversely, some users express dissatisfaction, questioning the organization's transparency and management practices. Critics have raised concerns regarding the allocation of funds and the expenses related to staff retreats, suggesting a disconnect between the organization's mission and its operational choices. This dichotomy in feedback indicates that while Common Cause Education Fund is recognized for its positive impact on democracy, it faces scrutiny over its financial practices and overall effectiveness in achieving its stated goals.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.

Is Common Cause Education Fund legitimate?

Common Cause Education Fund is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Common Cause Education Fund submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $565,747
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $6,729,434

For more financial information, click here

What is the mission statement of Common Cause Education Fund?

The Common Cause Education Fund is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. Their mission is to increase public understanding of how democracy functions, empower citizens to hold their government accountable, and promote broad and effective citizen engagement at federal, state, and local levels. The Fund focuses on four major issue areas: voting and elections, money and politics, ethics, transparency, and government accountability, and media and democracy. They employ research, outreach, educational programming, and coalition building to achieve these goals, and have taken legal action in various states to protect the freedom to vote. The organization also manages the largest national election protection program, providing support to voters, especially those in states with new voter suppression laws. The Fund develops resources to address political violence and response, and hosts campus fellows to increase civic engagement on college campuses and in surrounding communities.

Who is the CEO of Common Cause Education Fund?

Karen Hobert Flynn is the President of Common Cause Education Fund.

What is the revenue of Common Cause Education Fund?

Common Cause Education Fund's revenue in 2022 was $19,591,561.

Who are the executives of Common Cause Education Fund and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Common Cause Education Fund during 2022 was $51,739. There are 141 employees and 16198 volunteers at Common Cause Education Fund.


Here are 33 key members and their salaries:


Karen Hobert Flynn (President)
  • Compensation: $337,422
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $45,690
Martha Tierney (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Nancy Ratzan (Vice Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Olga Kauffman (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Olena Berg Lacy (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Nicole M Austin-Hillery (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Richard Bainter (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Emmet Bondurant (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Braxton Brewington (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Rebecca Cokley (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Dan Conley (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Gregory Diskant (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Wendy Fields (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Archon Fung (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Shae Harris (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
William N Hubbard Iii (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Marilyn Melkonian (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lenny Mendonca (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Chang K Park (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Shareen Punian (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tamara Sawyer (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Bilal Dabir Sekou Phd (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
David Beaumont Smith (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Wes Tomer (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jessie Ulibarri (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tracy Westen (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Alan Wiersba (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Elizabeth Marchant (Chief Financial Officer)
  • Compensation: $206,328
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $39,593
Paul Ryan Vp Legislative (Affairs - Until 04/2022)
  • Compensation: $187,260
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $24,827
Steve Spaulding Sr Advisor (To President & Sr. Counsel)
  • Compensation: $165,449
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $14,312
Scott Swenson (Vp, Communications)
  • Compensation: $155,737
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $22,931
Pamela Wilmot (Vp, State Operations)
  • Compensation: $134,314
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $38,507
Jesse Littlewood (Vp For Campaigns)
  • Compensation: $132,499
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $37,080
Where can I find the form 990 for Common Cause Education Fund?

Common Cause Education Fund's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.

Mission Statement of Common Cause Education Fund

Common Cause Education Fund, a nonpartisan grassroots organization affiliated with Common Cause, focuses on upholding the core values of American democracy. Its mission is threefold: ensuring open, honest, and accountable government; promoting equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empowering citizens to make their voices heard as equals in the political process. The Education Fund achieves these goals through research, outreach, educational programming, and coalition building.

The organization operates in four major issue areas: Voting and Elections, Money and Politics, Ethics, Transparency, and Government Accountability, and Media and Democracy. In the realm of Voting and Elections, Common Cause Education Fund has taken various actions to safeguard the freedom to vote. They have filed lawsuits and amicus briefs to protect voters' rights in several states, managed the largest national election protection program during the 2022 midterm elections, and created resources for establishing ballot counting observation programs.

Additionally, the team at Common Cause Education Fund has made significant strides in addressing political violence and response. They have developed resources on bystander intervention, conflict resolution, best practices for building a state response plan, and connections to national political violence prevention and response experts. Furthermore, they have engaged 65 campus fellows to boost civic engagement on college campuses and in the surrounding communities across California, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas. The team has also penned and placed opinion editorials on the importance of protecting the right to vote in national and in-state publications.

Shop smarter and support your favorite cause with the Give Freely browser extension. Save money with coupons and donate to charity with a single click. Download now!

Impact




October, 2024

The Common Cause Education Fund significantly advances democratic engagement and accountability in the United States through a multi-faceted approach. By focusing on key areas like voting and elections, money in politics, ethics in governance, and media impact, it empowers citizens and promotes equitable representation.

One of its notable accomplishments includes managing the largest national election protection program during the 2022 midterm elections, which enhanced voter support and outreach, especially in states with new voter suppression laws. Through targeted lawsuits and legal briefs, the organization actively defends voting rights across multiple states, ensuring citizens can exercise their right to vote without unnecessary barriers.

Additionally, the Education Fund provides essential resources and training for organizations and communities to combat political violence and promote civic engagement. By training over 50 partner organizations on effective ballot counting and crisis management, it equips communities with the tools needed to respond to political challenges.

On college campuses, the program supports 65 fellows dedicated to fostering civic engagement, furthering the understanding of democratic processes among younger voters. Through opinion editorials and public outreach, the organization amplifies the importance of voting rights and government accountability, ultimately working to create a more informed and active citizenry.

In summary, the Common Cause Education Fund plays a vital role in strengthening democracy through education, advocacy, and community engagement, ensuring that all voices are heard and represented in the political landscape.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Common Cause Education Fund. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$19,591,561 (2022)
Expenses
$13,313,778 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $153,487
  • Gross Receipts: $23,576,537

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $24,182,815
  • Total Liabilities: $1,101,354
  • Net Assets: $23,081,461

Want to help this charity, for free? You can click here to learn more about Give Freely

Organization Details

Founding Year

2000

Principal Officer

Karen Hobert Flynn

Main Address

805 15TH STREET 800, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

NTEE Category

Code: W20 - Public benefit

If you are a representative of Common Cause Education Fund and wish to learn more about how Give Freely can help you raise funds, please click here: https://givefreely.com/nonprofits/. Our services are offered at no cost to your organization.