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Common Cause
| Common Cause | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Affiliation: | Nonpartisan |
| Top official: | Virginia Kase Solomón, President & CEO |
| Founder(s): | John W. Gardner |
| Year founded: | 1970 |
| Website: | Official website |
Common Cause is a progressive 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization focused on a range of issues including campaign finance and government accountability. According to its website, Common Cause is designed to serve as a "people's lobby," "an independent voice for change and a watchdog against corruption and abuse of power." The group is based in Washington, D.C. and operates offices in 36 states.[1]
Background
Common Cause was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, a former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Lyndon Johnson (D). Its first initiatives were opposition to the Vietnam War and support for reducing the voting age from 21 to 18.[2]
Leadership
As of July 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at Common Cause:[3]
- Virginia Kase Solomón, President & CEO
- Ayo Atterberry, Chief of Staff
- Reggie Brewington, Jr., Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration
- Marilyn Carpinteyro, Senior Vice President, Impact and Strategy
- Alma Couverthie, Senior Vice President, Campaigns and Organizing
- Jordan Davis, Senior Vice President of People, Equity and Inclusion
- Daryl Lobban, Senior Vice President, External Affairs
- Omar Noureldin, Senior Vice President, Policy and Litigation Strategy
- Elena Nunez, Senior Vice President of State Operations
Work and activities
Electoral activities and influence
California Proposition 11 (2008)
Common Cause led the support campaign for California Proposition 11 in 2008. This measure authorized the creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, a 14-member commission with the responsibility of drawing the geographic boundaries of the state's 120 legislative districts and four Board of Equalization districts every 10 years. Previously, the task of setting these boundaries fell to the California State Legislature.[4] The measure passed with 50.8% of the vote.
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Common Cause's revenues and expenses from 2012 to 2024. The information comes from ProPublica
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $6.0 million | $6.2 million |
| 2013 | $5.7 million | $6.2 million |
| 2014 | $6.0 million | $5.7 million |
| 2015 | $6.4 million | $6.4 million |
| 2016 | $5.1 million | $6.2 million |
| 2017 | $7.6 million | $6.4 million |
| 2018 | $8.0 million | $7.6 million |
| 2019 | $8.7 million | $7.6 million |
| 2020 | $9.2 million | $8.6 million |
| 2021 | $13.3 million | $8.0 million |
| 2022 | $10.1 million | $8.8 million |
| 2023 | $8.4 million | $9.7 million |
| 2024 | $8.4 million | $9.3 million |
See also
- What is an influencer?
- California Proposition 11, Creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2008)
External links
- Common Cause official website
- Common Cause on Facebook
- Common Cause on X
- Common Cause on TikTok
- Common Cause on YouTube
- Common Cause on Instagram
- Common Cause on Threads
- Common Cause on Bluesky
Footnotes
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