Common Cause

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

EIN: 526078441 ✦ Washington, DC ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(4)

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Overview

What is Common Cause?

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the fundamental principles of American democracy. With a strong presence in Washington D.C. and 35 states, they boast a substantial supporter base of 1.5 million individuals. Their mission encompasses fostering open, honest, and accountable governance, promoting equal rights, opportunities, and representation for all, and empowering citizens to partake in the political process as equals. In the realm of redistricting and representation, Common Cause spearheads initiatives to reform legislation and advocates for more transparent, open, and fair processes. They have successfully challenged unlawful gerrymanders in North Carolina, Baltimore County, Maryland, and are currently litigating against racial gerrymanders in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. In several states, they have led or co-led redistricting efforts, resulting in more competitive voting maps and an increase in majority-minority districts. Common Cause's activism extends beyond redistricting, engaging in lobbying, public engagement, and collaborations with diverse partners within the reform community. They work tirelessly to advance democracy reforms at federal, state, and local levels.


Official website here: www.commoncause.org

Is Common Cause legitimate?

Common Cause is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(4) entity. Common Cause 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: $182,824
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,874,947

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.commoncause.org

What is the mission statement of Common Cause?

Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. Their mission is to ensure open, honest, and accountable government, promote equal rights and opportunities for all, and empower individuals to participate in the political process as equals. They work across four main issue areas: voting and elections, money and politics, ethics, transparency, and government accountability, and media and democracy. With offices in Washington D.C. and various states, Common Cause advocates for democracy reforms at the federal, state, and local levels through legislation, lobbying, public engagement, and partnerships with diverse reform community members.

They have led significant efforts in redistricting and representation, including organizing communications efforts in support of reform legislation, bringing successful lawsuits against unlawful gerrymanders, and founding citizens' redistricting commissions in some states. Common Cause has also trained thousands of people to actively participate in the redistricting process and advocated for more open, transparent, and fair redistricting processes in several states.


Official website here: www.commoncause.org

Who is the CEO of Common Cause?

Karen Hobert Flynn is the President of Common Cause.


Official website here: www.commoncause.org

What is the revenue of Common Cause?

Common Cause's revenue in 2022 was $10,088,774.


Official website here: www.commoncause.org

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

There 2280 volunteers at Common Cause.


Here are 33 key members and their salaries:


Karen Hobert Flynn (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $337,422
  • 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: $0
  • Related: $206,328
  • Other: $39,593
Paul Ryan Vp Legislative (Affairs - Until 04/2022)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $187,260
  • Other: $24,827
Steve Spaulding Sr Advisor (To President & Sr. Counsel)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $165,449
  • Other: $14,312
Scott Swenson (Vp, Communications)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $155,737
  • Other: $22,931
Pamela Wilmot (Vp, State Operations)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $134,314
  • Other: $38,507
Jesse Littlewood (Vp For Campaigns)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $132,499
  • Other: $37,080


Official website here: www.commoncause.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Common Cause?

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


Official website here: www.commoncause.org

Learn more at the official website: www.commoncause.org

Mission Statement of Common Cause

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization that is committed to upholding the core values of American democracy. Their mission is to ensure open, honest, and accountable government, promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all, and empower individuals to make their voices heard in the political process. They operate across four major issue areas: voting and elections, money and politics, ethics, transparency, and government accountability, and media and democracy.

Common Cause works to advance democracy reforms at federal, state, and local levels. They do this through a variety of means, including drafting model legislation, lobbying, public engagement, and collaborating with diverse partners within the reform community. One of their key focus areas is redistricting and representation, where they have led several successful initiatives to challenge unlawful gerrymanders and advocate for more transparent and inclusive redistricting processes. They have also trained thousands of people to actively participate in the redistricting process and founded or co-led redistricting efforts in various states, leading to the creation of more competitive voting maps and an increase in majority minority districts.

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Impact




October, 2024

Common Cause plays a critical role in enhancing the integrity and accessibility of American democracy. The organization is dedicated to ensuring open, honest governance and promoting equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all citizens. Through intensive advocacy in areas such as voting and elections, money in politics, ethics, transparency, and media, Common Cause has fostered significant reforms across the nation.

One notable impact is in the realm of redistricting and representation. Their efforts include leading a nationwide coalition that trained over 2,000 individuals to engage effectively in the redistricting process, empowering them to share their stories and advocate for their communities. This grassroots mobilization is essential for counteracting gerrymandering, a practice that undermines fair representation.

Common Cause has achieved legal victories, such as successfully litigating against unlawful gerrymanders in North Carolina and Baltimore County, while actively pursuing similar cases in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. In Indiana, they established the Indianapolis Citizens Redistricting Commission, promoting a transparent process that yielded more competitive voting maps. In Massachusetts, they co-led redistricting efforts, increasing the number of majority minority districts in the state legislature, thereby enhancing representation for diverse communities.

In Ohio, the organization drove grassroots campaigns that engaged over 6,500 residents, ensuring that the redistricting process was participatory and transparent, reinforcing the power of public involvement in democratic processes. Across 25 states, Common Cause advocates for fairer redistricting processes, working tirelessly to hold government accountable and ensure that every voice has a chance to be heard and represented. Their multifaceted approach—combining lobbying, public engagement, and coalition-building with various partners—emphasizes their commitment to the core principles of democracy.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Common Cause. 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
$10,088,774 (2022)
Expenses
$8,804,548 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

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

  • Investment Income: $51,993
  • Gross Receipts: $10,157,925

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $11,922,837
  • Total Liabilities: $1,980,958
  • Net Assets: $9,941,879

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Organization Details

Founding Year

1968

Principal Officer

Karen Hobert Flynn

Main Address

805 15TH STREET NW 800, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

NTEE Category

Code: W20 - Public benefit

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