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Our Revolution
| Our Revolution | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Top official: | Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director |
| Founder(s): | Bernie Sanders |
| Year founded: | 2016 |
| Website: | Official website |
Our Revolution is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that advocates for the policies of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The organization was founded in August 2016.[1]
Background
Our Revolution was founded on August 24, 2016, as a nonprofit organization designed to advocate for the policy agenda of U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Sanders first discussed the group with USA Today in July 2016 after endorsing Hillary Clinton (D) for president. The paper reported that the organization would "help recruit, train and fund progressive candidates' campaigns. And a third political organization may play a more direct role in campaign advertising."[2] In early August 2016, Sanders began fundraising for the group, writing in an email that "election days come and go, but the struggle for economic, social, racial and environmental justice continues. Together, we built something special and unprecedented through our presidential campaign. Now, we are going to take the next steps for our political revolution."[3]
Leadership
As of December 2025, Joseph Geevarghese was the Executive Director of Our Revolution.[4]
Work and activities
An initial email from Sanders indicated that Our Revolution would primarily work to "recruit progressive candidates and support their bids through campaigning efforts and, presumably, fundraising," according to Bustle. The group also indicated that it would be involved in educational activities aimed at teaching the public about progressive policy solutions.[5]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Our Revolution's revenues and expenses from 2017 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $3.5 million | $3.2 million |
| 2018 | $2.7 million | $3.4 million |
| 2019 | $1.9 million | $2.0 million |
| 2020 | $2.8 million | $2.5 million |
| 2021 | $1.7 million | $2.6 million |
| 2022 | $2.8 million | $2.4 million |
| 2023 | $1.7 million | $2.2 million |
Noteworthy events
DCCC blacklist
On March 22, 2019, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced that it would no longer do business with firms who also worked with primary challengers to Democratic U.S. House members and encouraged House members' campaigns to do the same.[6]
In an interview with National Journal, Rep. James Clyburn (D) praised the policy change. He argued that the existing policy had been unfair because it meant that the DCCC was providing funds to firms who were working to oppose the re-election of dues-paying House Democrats. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) criticized the policy on Twitter, calling it "extremely divisive & harmful to the party". She urged supporters to halt donations to the DCCC and give directly to candidates instead.[7]
Following the announcement, influencer groups opposed to the decision, including Justice Democrats, Democracy for America, and Our Revolution, launched DCCC Blacklist. The website's purpose is "to fight back and provide potential primary challengers with a database of go-to vendors, organizations, and consultants who will continue to support efforts to usher in a new generation of leaders into the Democratic Party."[8]
On March 9, 2021, the chairman of the DCCC, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D), reversed the policy. "This policy change means that the only criteria for a vendor to be listed in the directory are our standards for fair business practices," said Chris Taylor, a spokesman for Maloney.[9]
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See also
External links
- Our Revolution website
- Our Revolution on Facebook
- Our Revolution on X
- Our Revolution on YouTube
- Our Revolution on Instagram
Footnotes
- ↑ Common Dreams, "Not Alone, But Together: Sanders Campaign Declares Creation of 'Our Revolution,'" August 8, 2016
- ↑ USA Today, "Bernie Sanders will launch organizations to spread progressive message," July 15, 2016
- ↑ USA Today, "Bernie Sanders seeks contributions for 'Our Revolution,'" August 3, 2016
- ↑ Our Revolution, "About Us," accessed December 18, 2025
- ↑ Bustle, "What Is 'Our Revolution'? Bernie Sanders' New Organization Is Keeping The Movement Going," August 10, 2016
- ↑ Huffington Post, "DCCC Promises To Blacklist Firms That Work With Candidates Challenging Incumbents," March 22, 2019
- ↑ The Hill, "Progressives hammer DCCC over blacklist targeting primary challenges," March 30, 2019
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 DCCC Blacklist, "Home," accessed September 19, 2022
- ↑ New York Times, "The D.C.C.C. Blacklist Is No More." March 31, 2021
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