Political Advocacy Groups

"Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a national legal-action organization solely devoted to the many problems of smoking. For more than 40 years ASH has served as the legal-action arm of the antismoking community. ASH's mission is to: protect nonsmokers from the clearly-established dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke; reduce the deadly toll of smoking by banning the advertising and promotion of cigarettes, and by keeping them out of the hands of children; force those who use or profit from tobacco to pay the enormous costs of smoking which are now borne largely by nonsmokers; end all government support of the tobacco industry; serve as a clearinghouse of information and ideas for all people concerned about smoking, both here and abroad." (http://ash.org/mission.html)

"The Alliance for Justice is a national association of environmental, civil rights, mental health, women's, children's and consumer advocacy organizations...the Alliance has worked to advance the cause of justice for all Americans, strengthen the public interest community's ability to influence public policy, and foster the next generation of advocates." (http://www.afj.org)

"AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research." (http://www.aauw.org/about/)

"ACU's purpose is to effectively communicate and advance the goals and principles of conservativism through one multi-issue, umbrella organization." (http://www.conservative.org/about/default.asp)

"The American Family Association represents and stands for traditional family values, focusing primarily on the influence of television and other media – including pornography – on our society." (http://www.afa.net/about.asp)

"Pledged to fight White Man's injustice to Indians, his oppression, persecution, discrimination and malfeasance in the handling of Indian Affairs. No area in North America is too remote when trouble impends for Indians. AIM shall be there to help the Native People regain human rights and achieve restitutions and restorations." (http://www.aimovement.org/ggc/index.html)

"AIPACís mission is to strengthen the ties between the United States and its ally Israel." (http://www.aipac.org/en/about-aipac/our-mission)

"Our Mission : To safeguard the welfare and security of Jews in the United States, in Israel, and throughout the world. To strengthen the basic principles of pluralism around the world, as the best defense against anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry. To enhance the quality of American Jewish life by helping to ensure Jewish continuity and deepen ties between American and Israeli Jews."
(http://www.ajc.org/WhoWeAre/MissionAndHistory.asp)

"Since 1973, American Rivers has been dedicated to protecting and restoring healthy, natural rivers and the variety of life they sustain for people, fish and wildlife. A nonprofit membership organization, we lead the nationwide river movement." (http://www.amrivers.org/aboutus.html)

"The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by Henry Bergh in 1866, is 'to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.'" (http://www.aspca.org/about-us/about-the-aspca.aspx)

"ATR opposes all tax increases as a matter of principle. We believe in a system in which taxes are simpler, fairer, flatter, more visible and lower than they are today. The government's power to control one's life derives from its power to tax. We believe that power should be minimized." (http://www.atr.org/aboutatr/mission.html)

Among other things, Americans United for Separation of Church and State "...advocates for separation of church and state in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, working with lawmakers at all levels to help them understand the importance of respecting the separation of church and state..." (http://www.au.org/about/)

"Key Issues and Activities: Maintaining ironclad relations between the United States Congress and Israel. Providing support to allies of the United States and Israel. Working to ensure that our support for civil liberties is in accord with the necessity for strong antiterrorism laws. Endorsing the expansion of hate crimes legislation. Finding ways to lessen Western dependence on Persian Gulf energy. Supporting budget increases in prostate cancer research. Promoting free trade legislation for Latin America." (http://bnaibrith.org/ppolicy/chrpp/laffairs.cfm)

"The national office also advocates for social policies that aim to reduce poverty, improve the lives of children and families, and strengthen communities." (http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/who/index.htm)

"The mission of the Center for Public Integrity is to provide the American people with the findings of our investigations and analyses of public service, government accountability and ethics related issues." (http://www.publicintegrity.org --> About the Center)

"The Center for Responsive Politics is a non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy." (http://www.crp.org/about/index.asp)

"The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a consumer advocacy organization whose twin missions are to conduct innovative research and advocacy programs in health and nutrition, and to provide consumers with current, useful information about their health and well-being." (http://www.cspinet.org/about/mission.html)

"Founded in 1981, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has emerged over the past two decades as one of the leading organizations in the country working on fiscal policy issues and issues affecting low- and moderate-income families and individuals." (http://www.cbpp.org/info.html)

"We are the nation's largest public policy women's organization with a rich 25-year history of helping our members across the country bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy." (http://www.cwfa.org/about.asp)

"Since 1968, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has provided consumers a well-reasoned and articulate voice in decisions that affect their lives. Day in and out, CFA's professional staff gathers facts, analyzes issues, and disseminates information to the public, legislators, and regulators." (http://www.consumerfed.org/backpage/about.html)

"The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy." (http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/about)

"Based in San Francisco, EFF is a donor-supported membership organization working to protect our fundamental rights regardless of technology; to educate the press, policymakers and the general public about civil liberties issues related to technology; and to act as a defender of those liberties." (http://www.eff.org)

"The mission is simple, really: EMILY’s List is dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women to office." (http://www.emilyslist.org/)

"Environmental Defense is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including future generations. Among these rights are clean air and water, healthy and nourishing food, and a flourishing ecosystem." (http://www.environmentaldefense.org/ --> About Us)

"The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment by reducing polluition in air, water, and food." [THINK TANK] (http://www.ewg.org/about.html)

"Families USA is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans." (http://www.familiesusa.org/about/)

"The Family Research Council champions marriage and family as the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society. We shape public debate and formulate public policy that values human life and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family. Believing that God is the author of life, liberty, and the family, we promote the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society." (http://www.frc.org/aboutfrc.cfm)

"The mission of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) is to examine immigration trends and effects, to educate the American people on the impacts of sustained high-volume immigration, and to discern, put forward, and advocate immigration policies that will best serve American environmental, societal, and economic interests today and into the future." (http://www.fairus.org/about)

"We work to reduce suffering and to create meaningful social change for animals by advocating for sensible public policies, investigating cruelty and working to enforce existing laws, educating the public about animal issues, joining with corporations on behalf of animal-friendly policies, and conducting hands-on programs that make ours a more humane world. We are the lead disaster relief agency for animals, and we provide direct care for thousands of animals at our sanctuaries and rescue facilities, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics..." (http://www.humanesociety.org/about/overview/)

"The Institute for Justice is the nation’s premier libertarian public interest law firm. IJ litigates in courts across the country preserving freedom of opportunity and challenging government’s control over individuals’ lives." (http://www.ij.org)

"The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the political voice of the national environmental movement and the only organization devoted full-time to shaping a pro-environment Congress and White House." (http://www.lcv.org/About/Aboutmain.cfm)

"The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy." (http://www.lwv.org/about/)

"We provide support to guide people through the cancer experience, bring them together to fight cancer and work for a world in which our fight is no longer necessary." (http://www.livestrong.org/Who-We-Are)

"We stand for the proposition that all of us are created equal-worthy of the same rights to freedom, liberty, and equality. Log Cabin works to build a stronger, more inclusive Republican Party by promoting the core values of limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, free markets and a strong national defense while advocating for the freedom and equality of gay and lesbian Americans. We emphasize that these principles and the moral values on which they stand are consistent with the pursuit of equal treatment under the law for gay and lesbian Americans." (http://www.logcabin.org/logcabin/mission.html)

"The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.” (http://www.madd.org/about-us/mission/)

"We are made up of pro-choice women and men across the United States. Together, we protect a woman's right to choose." (http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/about-us/)

"The National Council of Jewish Women is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works through a program of research, education, advocacy and community service to improve the quality of life for women, children and families and strives to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all."
(http://www.ncjw.org/html/AboutNCJW/ContactNCJW/)

"NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas—assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families." (http://www.nclr.org/index.php/about_us/)

"For more than 100 years, National Farmers Union's primary goal has been to sustain and strengthen family farm and ranch agriculture...National Farmers Union believes that good opportunities in production agriculture are the foundation of strong farm and ranch families and that strong farm and ranch families are the basis for thriving rural communities. Vibrant rural communities, in turn, are vital to the health and economic wellbeing of the entire U.S. economy." (http://nfu.org > about us)

"The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the largest advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals." (http://www.nfib.org > about us)

"The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance." (http://www.nlc.org/ --> About NLC)

"Since its founding in 1966, NOW's goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society."
(http://www.now.org/organization/info.html)

"Touching Hearts - Changing Minds - Saving Lives!" (http://www.nrlc.org/)

"The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize our communities." (http://www.nationaltrust.org/about_the_trust/)

"The mission of the Urban League movement is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity and power and civil rights." (http://www.nul.org/about/mission.htm)

"National Wildlife Federation® -- Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future. Wildlife's ability to survive the challenges of the 21st century is becoming outpaced by the events that are transforming our world. Global warming, the loss of habitat, and people becoming more disconnected from nature than past generations are converging on a dangerous path for our planet. The work of NWF and our affiliates across the country provides answers to these challenges and will help ensure America's wildlife legacy continues for future generations." (http://www.nwf.org/About/Our-Mission.aspx)

"The Natural Resources Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends..." (http://www.nrdc.org/about/)

"Now more than 860,000 members strong and growing every day, the Parents Television Council (PTC) was established in 1995 as a nonpartisan group, offering private sector solutions to restore television to its roots as an independent and socially responsible entertainment medium." (http://www.parentstv.org)

"PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity." (community.pflag.org/page.aspx?pid=237)

"Our purpose is to meet the challenges of discord and fragmentation with an affirmation of "the American Way." By this, we mean pluralism, individuality, freedom of thought, expression and religion, a sense of community, and tolerance and compassion for others. People For the American Way will reach out to all Americans and affirm that in our society, the individual still matters; that there is reason to believe in the future - not to despair of it - and that we must strengthen the common cords that connect us as humans and citizens." (http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/ default.aspx?oid=2859)

"An independent and unique resource for policing, the Police Foundation acts as a catalyst for change and an advocate for new ideas, in restating and reminding ourselves about the fundamental purposes of policing, and in ensuring that an important link remains intact between the police and the public they serve." (www.policefoundation.org)

"Our mission is to protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields, and to promote peace and justice around the world." (http://rainbowpush.org/pages/the_organization)

"The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 as a small civil rights law firm. Today, the Center is internationally known for its tolerance education programs, its legal victories against white supremacists and its tracking of hate groups." (http://www.splcenter.org/center/about.jsp)

"Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) is an independent voice for American taxpayers.TCS is dedicated to cutting wasteful government spending and subsidies in order to achieve a responsible and efficient government that lives within its means." (http://www.taxpayer.net/about/)

"Deliver to future generations an unspoiled legacy of wild places, with all the precious values they hold: Biological diversity; clean air and water; towering forests, rushing rivers, and sage-sweet, silent deserts."
(http://www.tws.org/ -->About our work)

"Land conservation is central to TPL's mission. Founded in 1972, the Trust for Public Land is the only national nonprofit working exclusively to protect land for human enjoyment and well-being. TPL helps conserve land for recreation and spiritual nourishment and to improve the health and quality of life of American communities." (http://www.tpl.org/tier2_sa.cfm?folder_id=170)

"The Union of Concerned Scientists is a nonprofit partnership of scientists and citizens combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy development and effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical environmental solutions." (http://www.ucsusa.org)

"Its purposes under civil law are: 'To unify, coordinate, encourage, promote and carry on Catholic activities in the United States; to organize and conduct religious, charitable and social welfare work at home and abroad; to aid in education; to care for immigrants; and generally to enter into and promote by education, publication and direction the objects of its being.'" (http://www.nccbuscc.org/whoweare.htm)

"Our Mission is 'to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable." (http://www.iucn.org/about/index.htm)

"WWF's mission is the conservation of nature. Using the best available scientific knowledge and advancing that knowledge where we can, we work to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth and the health of ecological systems by protecting natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including endangered species; promoting sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources; and promoting more efficient use of resources and energy and the maximum reduction of pollution. We are committed to reversing the degradation of our planet's natural environment and to building a future in which human needs are met in harmony with nature. We recognize the critical relevance of human numbers, poverty and consumption patterns to meeting these goals." (http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/index.html)