National organizations with resources on state issues
Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)
88 3rd Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 246-7900
Fax: (718) 246-7939
http://www.acorn.org
ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is the nation’s largest community organization of low and moderate-income families, with over 150,000 member families organized into 800 neighborhood chapters in 65 cities across the country. Since 1970 ACORN has taken action and won victories on issues of concern to its members. Their priorities include: better housing for first time homebuyers and tenants, living wages for low-wage workers, more investment in our communities from banks and governments, and better public schools. ACORN achieves these goals by building community organizations that have the power to win changes — through direct action, negotiation, legislation, and voter participation.
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 205
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 223-2373
Fax: (202) 289-1530
http://www.ballot.org
Founded in 1998, the mission of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center is to utilize the ballot initiative process to further the goals of the labor and progressive community by developing a proactive, national strategy to advance progressive ballot measures and connecting advocates across state and issue lines with a growing network of organizational leaders and experienced consultants so that valuable tactical and strategic ballot initiative resources may be shared. We do this by building a funding, research, and training infrastructure to support progressive ballot measure activity.
Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
161 Avenue of the Americas 12th Floor
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 998-6730
Fax: (212) 995-4550
http://www.brennancenter.org
Named after former Supreme Court Justice, William J. Brennan Jr., the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law unites thinkers and advocates in pursuit of a vision of inclusive and effective democracy. Their mission is to develop and implement an innovative, nonpartisan agenda of scholarship, public education, and legal action that promotes equality and human dignity, while safeguarding fundamental freedoms.We use scholarship, public education, and legal action to find innovative and practical solutions to intractable problems in the areas of democracy, poverty, and criminal justice.The Center takes its cue not from Brennan opinions written for a past era, but from the singular Brennan spirit of asking the hard questions, transcending conventional wisdom, keeping faith in the power of open and honest discourse, and building unlikely coalitions around practical solutions.
Campaign for America’s Future
1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 505
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 955-5665
Fax: (202) 955-5606
http://www.ourfuture.org
The Campaign for America’s Future insists that the question of falling wages and rising insecurity be placed at the center of our national debate. The Campaign challenges those who suggest that nothing can be done and exposes the conservative agenda that has made things worse. The Campaign for America’s Future will strive to revitalize a progressive agenda and fight to make this economy work for working people once again. The Campaign will engage citizens, activists, and political leaders in a renewed debate about the kind of country-and the kind of world-we want to build for future generations.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
820 First Street, NE, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 408-1080
Fax: (202) 408-1056
http://www.cbpp.org
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) focuses on fiscal policy issues and issues affecting low- and moderate-income families and individuals. The Center produces analyses accessible to public officials, nonprofit organizations, and the media, dealing with policy decisions on the state and federal levels. Broad issue areas that the CBPP covers are federal and state fiscal policies, welfare, safety nets, social security, poverty and income, food assistance, health, labor market, low-income housing, EITC, and immigrants.
Center for a Changing Workforce
900 4th Avenue, Suite 3800
Seattle, WA 98164
Phone: (206) 622-0897
http://www.cfcw.org
The Center for a Changing Workforce (CFCW) provides education, policy analysis, and advocacy for regular workers misclassified as “temporary” and thus denied equal pay and benefits. CFCW engages local and national organizations in this emerging issue and serves as a “watchdog” on industry employment benefit practices across the nation.
Center for Economic and Policy Research
1621 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 293-5380
Fax: (202) 822-1199
http://www.cepr.net
The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) was established to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives. CEPR accomplishes this goal by conducting both professional research and public education. The professional research is oriented towards filling important gaps in the understanding of particular economic and social problems, or fostering comprehension of the impact of specific policies. The public education portion of CEPR’s mission is to present the findings of professional research, both by CEPR and others, in a manner that allows broad segments of the public to know exactly what issues are at stake in major policy debates.
Center for Community Change
1000 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 342-0519
http://www.communitychange.org
While this country’s economy has been strong overall in the past decade, too many Americans have been left out. More than 30 million Americans live in poverty. More than one of every five children are growing up poor.
The Center for Community Change is committed to reducing poverty and rebuilding low income communities. To do this, we help people to develop the skills and resources they need to improve their communities as well as change policies and institutions that adversely affect their lives. We believe that poor people themselves – through organizations they control – need to lead efforts to eliminate poverty.
Center for Law and Social Policy
1616 P Street, NW, Suite 150
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 328-5140
Fax: (202) 328-5195
http://www.clasp.org
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is a national public policy and law organization that focuses on two major subject areas: reducing poverty of poor families with children and securing them access to our civil jus
tice system. CLASP provides policy advocacy at the state and federal levels, research on family policy, civil legal assistance to the poor, technical assistance, and publications to achieve its goals.
Center for Policy Alternatives
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 387-6030
Fax: (202) 986-2539
http://www.cfpa.org
The Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) engages a new generation of leaders from across the states to envision and realize progressive policy solutions for America’s future. CPA connects elected, nonprofit, and private sector leaders to foster a network of alliances dedicated to promoting progressive ideas that work. CPA dedicates its energies to developing secure and happy families, thriving communities, sustainable development, and inclusive, participatory democracy.
Citizens for Tax Justice
1311 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 626-3780
Fax: (202) 626-3486
http://www.ctj.org
Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) is a public interest research and advocacy organization that focuses on the impact of federal, state, and local tax policies. CTJ fights to give ordinary citizens a voice in the development of tax policies that are fair for middle- and low-income families. These policies include: requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share, closing corporate tax loopholes, adequately funding important government services, reducing the federal debt, and minimizing the distortion of economic markets.
DEMOS- A Network for Ideas and Action
220 5th Ave., 5th Floor
New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 633-1405
http://www.demos-usa.org
Demos’ purpose is to help build a society where America can achieve its highest ideals. DEMOS believes that requires a democracy that is robust and inclusive, with high levels of electoral participation and civic engagement, and an economy where prosperity and opportunity are broadly shared and disparity is reduced. Founded in 1999, Demos’ work combines research with advocacy — melding the commitment to ideas of a think tank with the organizing strategies of an advocacy group.
Drum Major Institute
110 East 59th St., 28th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 909-9663
Fax: (212) 909-9493
http://www.drummajorinstitute.org
The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to challenging the tired orthodoxies of both the right and the left. The goal: progressive public policy for social and economic fairness. DMI’s approach is unwavering: We do not issue reports to see our name in print or hold forums for the sake of mere talk. We seek to change policy by conducting research into overlooked, but important social and economic issues, by leveraging our strategic relationships to engage policymakers and opinion leaders in our work, and by offering platforms to amplify the ideas of those who are working for social and economic fairness.
Financial Markets Center
P.O. Box 334
Philomont, VA 20131
Phone: (540) 338-7754
Fax: (540) 338-7757
http://www.fmcenter.org
The Financial Markets Center provides research and education resources to citizen organizations, labor unions, policymakers, scholars, and journalists interested in the Federal Reserve and the financial sector. The Center’s publications and web site provide a variety of analytical, teaching, and archival materials focused on monetary policy, regulatory issues, industry trends, and domestic and international financial flows. Among its educational endeavors, the Center presents workshops and conducts the Federal Reserve Leadership Education Program for directors and advisory council members at Federal Reserve Banks.
Good Jobs First
1311 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 737-4315
Fax: (202) 638-3486
http://www.ctj.org/itep/gjf.htm
Good Jobs First (GJF) is a research and education organization that tracks government taxing and spending policy issues. GJF provides timely, accurate information on the best practices in state and local job subsidies to the public, media, public officials, and economic development professionals. Through its relationships with a broad spectrum of organizations, GJF ensures that subsidized businesses are accountable for family wages.
Institute for Women’s Policy Research
1707 L Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 785-5100
Fax: (202) 833-4362
http://www.iwpr.org
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) informs and stimulates debate on public policy issues critical to women and their families. IWPR works with policy makers across the country to design and disseminate research on poverty and welfare, employment and earnings, work and family, health care, domestic violence, and women’s civic and political participation.
Invest in America
1742 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 234-8494
Web: http://www.investinamerica.org
Invest in America represents a new model of political participation: a cohesive coalition encompassing groups with a variety of interests-education, religion, disability, human needs, environment, infrastructure, and economic development-committed to a long-term affirmative effort to change the national political debate around the federal budget. Invest in America is committed to a bottom up approach involving state and local groups, not merely as actors carrying out strategies developed at the national level, but actually influencing and shaping the coalition’s activities. The movement will have the presence and capacity to shift the national policy debate by influencing policy makers, leveraging the media, and moving the public to recognize the historic opportunity federal budget surpluses can provide for investing in America.
National Center for Children in Poverty
The Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
154 Haven Avenue
New York, NY 10032
Phone: (212) 304-7100
Fax: (212) 544-4200 or (212) 544-4201
http://www.nccp.org
The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) identifies and promotes strategies to reduce the number of children living in poverty in the United States. The Center also dedicates itself to improving the life chances of millions of children under the age of six who grow up poor. NCCP designs, conducts, and disseminates scientific research on issues relating to child poverty and its impact on children, families, and communities.
National Employment Law Project
55 John Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 285-3025
Fax: (212) 285-3044
http://www.nelp.org<
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The National Employment Law Project (NELP) advocates on behalf of low-wage workers, the poor, the unemployed, and other groups who face barriers to employment and government assistance. NELP ensures that employment laws cover all workers by supporting organizational and alliance-building efforts, helping workers stay connected to jobs and employment benefits, and expanding employment laws to meet the needs of workers in changing economic conditions.
National Partnership for Women and Families
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 986-2600
Fax: (202) 986-2539
http://www.nationalpartnership.org
The National Partnership for Women and Families uses public education and advocacy to promote fairness in the workplace, quality health care, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family. Through its working ties with government, media, business, unions, and nonprofit organizations, the National Partnership is a source of solutions and a voice for change.
National Urban League
120 Wall St. 8th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 558-5300
http://www.nul.org
The Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. The Urban League movement was founded in 1910. The National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads our nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based movement. The heart of the Urban League movement is our professionally staffed Urban League affiliates in more than 100 cities in 34 states and the District of Columbia. The mission of the Urban League movement is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity and power and civil rights.
People for the American Way
2000 M St., NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 467-4999
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/
People for the American Way is an energetic advocate for the values and institutions that sustain a diverse democratic society. People for the American Way works in close collaboration with other leading national and state progressive organizatinos to mobilize Americans at a point in the nation’s history where the most fundamental rights and freedoms are at risk.
US Action
1341 G St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 624-1730
Fax: (202) 737-9197
USAction is the nation’s largest progressive activist organization, dedicated to winning social, racial, and economic justice for all. USAction fights to win on issues that matter to every American. US Action represents three million members in 34 affiliates, with statewide organizations in 24 states.
States with “State of Working…” reports
National groups
Other state and regional networks EPI resources for state organizations