Common Cause

Common Cause is a nonpartisan and grassroots organization in the United States that focuses on promoting open, honest, and accountable government. Their website, commoncause.org, serves as a platform to educate and mobilize citizens around issues like campaign finance reform, voting rights, and redistricting. The organization works to ensure that government officials are responsive to the needs and interests of the people rather than powerful special interests. They offer information, resources, and tools to inform and engage individuals in advocating for a more transparent and participatory democracy. Common Cause strives to empower citizens to take action in order to safeguard the democratic values of equality, fairness, and justice.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Trump v. New York on November 30 th. To read the brief, click here.commoncause.orgCommon Cause filed the first challenge to President Trump’s memorandum, just two days after it was issued. A decision is pending in Common Cause v. Trump.

When they leave Common Cause, they most frequently get their next job at American Red Cross. Of the 50 employees at Common Cause, 14.3% attended University of North Carolina at Greensboro.zippia.comEmployees at Common Cause most frequently majored in Political Science, and most employees’ highest level of education is a Bachelors.

The current State Board of Elections has five members. No more than three members can serve from one party. In practice, this means that the governor’s party holds a 3-2 majority on the board.carolinajournal.comCommon Cause and four individual voters argue that the law violates unaffiliated voters’ rights under the First and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

  • Encrypted
    Site is Encrypted

  • Country
    Hosted in United States

  • City
    Chesterfield, Missouri

  • Latitude\Longitude
    38.65 / -90.5334    Google Map

  • Traffic rank
    #28,811 Site Rank

  • Site age
    28 yrs old

  • Site Owner information
    Whois info

  • Founded
    1970

  • Founder
    John W. Gardner

  • Key people
    Karen Hobert Flynn (President)

  • Location
    Washington, D.C.,,,U.S.

  • Area served
    United States

  • Method
    Advocacy

Traffic rank
#28,811
Site age
28 yrs
Location
United States
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Newest job postings for Common Cause
via LinkedIn posted_at: 2 days agoschedule_type: Full-timesalary: 60K–65K a yearwork_from_home: 1
Role: Youth Engagement Organizer Location: Remote (this role can be based anywhere within the lower 48 United States, though we have a preference for someone to be in Virginia, Mississippi, or the Midwest; up to 25% of this role is national travel... Start Date: Immediate Reports to: Director of Youth Programs Details: Full Time (37.5 hours/week) Essential functions: Common Cause Education Fund is seeking a Youth Engagement Organizer for the Role: Youth Engagement Organizer

Location: Remote (this role can be based anywhere within the lower 48 United States, though we have a preference for someone to be in Virginia, Mississippi, or the Midwest; up to 25% of this role is national travel...

Start Date: Immediate

Reports to: Director of Youth Programs

Details: Full Time (37.5 hours/week)

Essential functions:

Common Cause Education Fund is seeking a Youth Engagement Organizer for the Common Cause Alliance of Emerging Power (AEP), Common Cause’s youth program.

We are looking for a highly organized and collaborative organizer with a passion for creating issue-based campaigns, doing research to benefit youth organizing and the youth civic engagement network, and developing new skills.

This is an ideal position for someone who is interested in:
• Learning about political advocacy and the legislative process
• Developing skills for effective grassroots organizing, policy research, and building infrastructure for a long-term movement
• Developing skills in for compelling written communications and public speaking

The Youth Engagement Organizer will work closely with Common Cause campus outreach staff throughout our state offices, the Director of Youth Programs, and the national Campaigns and Digital team.

Responsibilities

The Youth Engagement Organizer will lead campaigns in alignment with Common Cause policy team goals, to help new audiences understand the importance of our issue areas, and to broaden our base to include more youth who are willing to take action with us.

This work will include:
• Drafting campaign plans, including doing relevant research, setting goals, and implementing the campaign plan for the Alliance of Emerging Power
• Creating informative and compelling written and on-brand visual content for a youth audience
• Completing research to develop campaign plans and educational materials
• Developing work plans and evaluation tools to measure and track goals and benchmarks
• Building strategic relationships and partnerships with campuses and organizations
• Increasing online engagement for the Alliance for Emerging Power by creating engaging content for our social media accounts and email lists
• Collaborating with teams across the organization

The Youth Engagement Organizer will also create a positive and inclusive environment for all participants of Common Cause youth programs that allows participants to grow as civic leaders and develop skills needed to continue up the ladder of engagement.

This work will include:
• Developing and implementing national trainings and programming to engage youth in our program areas
• Managing the content of our youth programs’ social media pages and website
• Supporting fellows’ civic engagement plans, and implementation for Get Out The Vote (GOTV), voter registration and trainings
• Oversee training and capacity-building activities related to grassroots organizing and advocacy campaigns that will help youth members’ create social change in their local and campus communities
• Building meaningful relationships with youth to grow the Common Cause youth base

Qualifications

You will thrive in this role if you have:
• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s mission and to advancing racial equity through our democracy agenda
• Ability to quickly build relationships and credibility with multiple stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
• A track record of working collaboratively with others
• Critical thinking skills, and a resourceful approach to problem-solving
• Strong organization skills, and an ability to manage your time independently
• Ability to manage multiple short and long-term projects simultaneously, and comfort with juggling multiple and shifting priorities
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth

The following experience is required:
• At least one year of political, community and/or grassroots organizing experience (this experience can be professional, volunteer, and/or internships)
• Experience building community and engagement on a college campus since the start of COVID-19; preferably focused on civic engagement
• Ability to travel nationally up to 25% of the year, and to work nights and weekends at certain points in the year
• Candidates may not currently be in elected office or running for office

We have a preference for candidates who also demonstrate the following:
• Knowledge of social media tools (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and office productivity tools (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, Zoom)
• An understanding of the role that HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions play in social change

Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000, plus generous benefits package

Classification: This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.

To Apply: Please submit resume and cover letter as one PDF or Word document with your name included in the file name to hr@commoncause.org and include Youth Engagement Organizer in the subject line. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. Common Cause is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the organization and believes strongly in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce.

About Common Cause

Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has more than 1.5 million members (about the population of New Hampshire) and supporters living in every Congressional district in the United States, and offices in 30 states around the country
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via Work For Good posted_at: 20 days agoschedule_type: Full-time
Common Cause and Common Cause Education Fund (together, “Common Cause”) is seeking a Vice President, Finance & Administration who will lead the organizations’ financial and administrative strategy and bolster our stability to enable us to meet our mission to defend voting rights, to end partisan gerrymandering, to strengthen ethics and accountability at all levels of government, to reduce the... undue influence of money in politics, and to pursue Common Cause and Common Cause Education Fund (together, “Common Cause”) is seeking a Vice President, Finance & Administration who will lead the organizations’ financial and administrative strategy and bolster our stability to enable us to meet our mission to defend voting rights, to end partisan gerrymandering, to strengthen ethics and accountability at all levels of government, to reduce the... undue influence of money in politics, and to pursue many other critical democracy reforms.

The VP, Finance & Administration will direct the financial strategy for Common Cause (501c4) and Common Cause Education Fund (501c3), national organizations with a presence in 30 states. Additionally, the VP will manage and lead a high-performing team with humility and conviction, proactively mitigate risk to the organization, align Common Cause’s national organization and state offices on financial and administrative processes, and coordinate across realms of responsibility and lines of difference to ensure financial sustainability and success.

Success in this role will mean greater efficiency and effectiveness for our nationally distributed workforce, and well-run financial operations and functions. In this role you will optimize and scale financial systems, including taxes, budgeting, financial planning and analysis, and general accounting, spearhead risk management to ensure the organization is positioned to deliver its unique value; and ensure efficient internal operational systems across our organization.

This position will have accountability for leading, coaching, and developing the finance and administration teams and will partner directly with leaders across the organization. Additionally, this leader will work closely with the board and management team to drive financial strategy for the organization.

This is an ideal role for a seasoned financial leader with a track record of building and scaling financial systems and processes, leading organization-wide change management efforts, and who is excited to support our mission of protecting democracy.

Responsibilities

Drive strategic financial direction for the organization

Through close work and collaboration with other members of the Management Team and the National Governing Board:
• Lead ongoing strategic financial planning and analysis effort; provide analysis and guidance to enable sound decision-making and ensure sustainability
• Lead evaluation of organizational financial operations, identifying opportunities for improvement, cost reduction, and system enhancement
• Partner and liaise with our board’s finance committee to support board members’ fiscal oversight of the organization
• Drive necessary organization-wide changes to financial systems, processes and policies
• Along with other members of the Management Team, provide counsel on strategic organizational goals, and translate organizational strategic plans into financial models

Support and develop the Finance & Administration team to achieve goals
• Manage and support the development of the Finance & Accounting team, IT staff and consultants, and operational staff
• In partnership with other members of the management team, ensure efficient coordination between members of the Finance & Administration team and other internal teams
• Manage the budget for Finance & Administration team
• Direct and oversee the work of finance and accounting staff and consultants to:
• Ensure that accounting and financial controls, policies and procedures are in place
• Recommend and oversee improvements to drive higher-level accounting and fiscal efficiency and effectiveness
• Oversee cash forecasting and management, annual budgeting process, and annual audit processes
• Direct the preparation and delivery of financial statements, business activity reports, financial position forecasts and projections, annual budgets, and other reports required by the management team, the national board, staff, external regulatory agencies, investors, and auditors
• In cooperation with appropriate board committees, maximize the return on invested funds by identifying investment opportunities
• Direct and oversee the work of internal operations and IT staff and consultants to:
• Ensure effective, efficient technology and communication infrastructure and service delivery across the organization, so that staff have the network and IT support needed to do their work
• Ensure effective administration of DC office facilities, equipment, and supplies
• Ensure the effective administration and strategic alignment of data management systems for multiple needs across our organization
• Assess the current tech infrastructure, and approve security improvements and system upgrades to improve operations and enhance communications across departments
• Plan for strategic use of technology and space, ensuring physical and digital security of Common Cause assets and facilities

Risk management and compliance
• Identify and mitigate financial risks and the impact of variances
• Ensure that the management team and board members are alerted to areas of identified risk
• Ensure compliance with all federal and state laws, including for contract review, reporting requirements, business licenses, investor relations, and audits
• Ensure effective management of relationships with financial institutions, and investment and legal advisors, and property management company
• Participate in contract negotiations on behalf of Common Cause

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who:
• Is committed to equity, both in the goals of our work and in how we work with staff and other stakeholders
• Is committed to stewarding the financial management in a mission-driven organization to maximize impact
• Is a critical and strategic thinker, and a problem-solver who roots decisions in data
• Can navigate organizational dynamics and leverage relationships to meet common goals
• Is collaborative and can lead through influence
• Can coach and mentor teams, developing individual’s skills while focusing on outcomes
• Can present complex financial models and ideas into easy-to-understand messages for different audience
• Can quickly learn and adapt to new technology

The following experience and qualifications are required:
• At least seven years of experience leading finance strategy and financial operations in a nonprofit with an annual operating budget of $30 million or more, including overseeing: finance, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, modeling and analysis, control, and reporting functions
• Experience setting and driving strategy at an organization-level, and advising executive leaders from a finance perspective
• Track record of productive partnerships with boards
• Track record of leading organization-wide change initiatives
• Experience managing teams, and experience managing staff through change
• Strong understanding of GAAP, non-profit tax law and industry best practices

It’s also helpful if you have any of the following:
• Experience in a non-profit that operates across multiple states
• Certified Public Accountant designation
• Advanced degree in business or finance
• Experience using Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Solver, ROI, SAP Concur, ADP

Salary Range: $175,000-$225,000, plus generous benefits

Classification: This position is classified as management and therefore not included in the union-represented collective bargaining unit.

To Apply: Please submit resume to hr@commoncause.org and include Vice President, Finance & Administration in the subject line. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated
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via UNC Center For Media Law And Policy schedule_type: Full-time
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Working with Common Cause staff and our Special Advisor, former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, the Program Director leads a multi-year campaign to educate and engage the public and policymakers about: critical reforms needed to advance media diversity and to promote the local, diverse media that are so essential for the functioning of a healthy democracy. Key policy areas... include: achieving universal access to the Open Internet; ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Working with Common Cause staff and our Special Advisor, former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, the Program Director leads a multi-year campaign to educate and engage the public and policymakers about: critical reforms needed to advance media diversity and to promote the local, diverse media that are so essential for the functioning of a healthy democracy. Key policy areas... include: achieving universal access to the Open Internet; promoting affordable telecommunications; enshrining diverse media ownership; and winning full disclosure of political advertising.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Works closely with Special Advisor, consultant(s), and Common Cause program leaders to develop and implement strategic action plan with the following elements:

1) developing complementary and collaborative strategies with key communications reform allies;

2) engaging Common Cause staff and volunteer leaders on state-based reform initiatives;

3) planning public events and speaking opportunities and venues to engage targeted constituencies, including activists, community leaders, academics, media, policymakers, members of the public and of Common Cause;

4) promoting reform initiatives through traditional and social media outreach, including drafting and placement of op-eds, editorial board meetings, blogs, interview opportunities on TV and radio;

5) developing materials to help educate Common Cause staff and activists on media reform issues;

6) working with development and program staff to secure additional funding for the Initiative;

7) conducting educational visits with federal and state policymakers; and

8) other Common Cause work as needed.

The impact of this initiative will depend in large part on strategic collaboration and coordination with public interest partners and with Common Cause state organizations working on campaigns and issues, where the participation of our nationally-recognized advisor can make a difference in advancing specific reforms and defending against industry efforts that undermine the public interest and jeopardize our democracy.

QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced degree preferred, Bachelor’s degree required; extensive knowledge of public interest campaigns, including lobbying, grassroots organizing strategies, online and social media outreach and advocacy tactics; minimum 5 years advocacy or political campaign experience; commitment to Common Cause issues and agenda; excellent oral, written, social media, and communication skills, including public speaking; ability to handle a wide range of responsibilities; self-starter with high energy level; expertise in media and democracy strongly preferred; ability to work well with coalition partners; comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment; working knowledge of social media tools - i.e., Facebook, Twitter, etc.

TO APPLY: Please submit resume, cover letter and salary requirements to Director of Human Resources at hr@commoncause.org and include PROGRAM DIRECTOR—MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY in the subject line; or fax to 202.355.7546. No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible.

ABOUT COMMON CAUSE: Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to restoring core values of American Democracy, reinventing an open, honest, and accountable government that works for the public interest, and empowering ordinary people to make their voices heard.Founded 45 years ago, Common Cause has 400,000 members and supporters, and chapters in 35 states around the country. At the national and state level, Common Cause is actively engaged in defending and advancing the core values of our democracy, which include politics not dominated by money, full access to voting and fair elections, economic opportunity for all, an ethical and accountable government, and an open and democratic media. More information can be found at: www.commoncause.org.

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, party or political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any illegal or prohibited factor.

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