Sam Adams Alliance
The Sam Adams Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, that connects and supports citizen leaders across the United States. Its mission statement says that the organization supports groups and individuals "who are working to defend liberty, hold the government accountable, and make real political change at the local level." The Sam Adams Alliance and its 501(c)(4) counterpart, Team Sam, were founded in Chicago on October 20, 2006.
The Sam Adams Alliance sponsored Ballotpedia through June 2009.
The organizations take their names from the American patriot Sam Adams, who is considered the "father of the American Revolution" for his role in connecting colonists in the 18th century American colonies. Adams allowed them to share information and experience with each other in the hope of instigating a popular effort against the British.[1] Both the Alliance and Team Sam have adopted this strategy of action at the local level in the hopes of increasing government accountability and transparency nationwide.
Programs
One of its main website initiatives is profiling "Modern-Day Sam Adamses," people it finds who demonstrate citizen leadership in accordance with its mission.[2] The Sam Adams Alliance also sponsors The Sammies, a competition to reward activists.
The Sam Adams Alliance produced a radio show called Common Sense with Paul Jacob, which is broadcast on over 150 radio stations nationwide. The Common Sense program is now hosted by the Citizens in Charge Foundation.[3]
The Sam Adams Alliance also launched Sunshine Review, and provided organizational assistance and start-up funds to other groups such as American Majority and Texas Watchdog.
Policy positions
The Sam Adams Alliance and Team Sam work on behalf of individuals and groups who advocate for greater government accountability and transparency at the local and state level. As such, the organizations do not take overt policy positions, and evaluate the causes it supports on a case-by-case basis, judging them by the amount to which they advance accountability and transparency in government.
Funding
The Sam Adams Alliance and Team Sam are not endowed and do not accept government funding. Both organizations are funded by private donors.[4]
Sam Adams staff
- Eric O'Keefe is the Chairman and CEO of the Sam Adams Alliance and the Team Sam.
Sponsorship of Ballotpedia
The Sam Adams Alliance sponsored Ballotpedia from March 2008-June 2009, paying the website's host and server fees, and sponsoring a small staff of writers. On July 1, 2009, it passed the baton to the Lucy Burns Institute. According to an announcement on the Lucy Burns website:
- The Sam Adams Alliance has organized, nurtured and spun-off several important projects, including Common Sense with Paul Jacob, American Majority and Texas Watchdog. As Ballotpedia and Judgepedia join the list of projects nurtured and given wings by the Sam Adams Alliance, the Lucy Burns Institute pledges to do its best to steward these public information projects consistent with the traditions and quality they have developed under the leadership of the Sam Adams Alliance.[5]
External links
- The Sam Adams Alliance website
- Blogivists
- Judgepedia
- Sunshine Review
- Full list of Sam Adams Alliance staff
- The Sam Adams Project, the New York Times "The Caucus" blog, July 19,2008
