Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation

299 Broadway, Suite 700 New York, NY 10007
www.citizensunion.org

Citizens Union of the City of New York is an independent, nonpartisan, civic organization of members who promote good government and advance political reform in the city and state of New York. For more than a century, Citizens Union has served as a watchdog for the public interest and an advocate for the common good. Citizens Union, which was recently described by the New York Times as the influential government watchdog group, works to ensure fair elections, clean campaigns, and open, effective government that is accountable to the citizens of New York.

Founded in 1897 to fight the corruption of Tammany Hall, Citizens Union helped elect the first reform mayor, Seth Low, in 1901. Over the years, Citizens Union has spearheaded efforts for improved voting procedures, home rule for New York City, campaign finance reform, historic preservation, city charter revisions that made important structural changes to city government, and state government reform. Without Citizens Union, reformers like Fiorello LaGuardia would never have been elected Mayor.

In pursuit of its mission, Citizens Union:
* Acts as a watchdog on the actions of city and state government to ensure that it values its citizens, addresses critical issues, and operates in a fair, open, and fiscally sound manner.
* Supports and advances legislation that reforms the election system, improves the functioning of government, and serves the broad public interest rather than narrow special interests.
* Evaluates and supports candidates for elected office, and through publication of its highly regarded voters directory, informs voters of those candidates who strongly embrace and effectively advance the interests of good government and political reform.

Founded in 1948, Citizens Union Foundation of the City of New York is the nonprofit research, education and advocacy organization affiliated with Citizens Union, though it is governed by a separate board of directors and operates with independent finances. In pursuit of its mission, Citizens Union Foundation:
* Monitors the deliberations and actions of city and state government,
* Conducts research on important issues of reform,
* Analyzes the impact of proposed public policies and legislation at the city and state level, and
* Holds forums to educate and engage the public in civic issues of citywide importance.

Believing that an informed citizenry is the cornerstone of good government, Citizens Union Foundation also publishes GothamGazette.com, a daily news website covering local issues like no other news publication in the City. GothamGazette.com features news, commentary, in-depth analysis and links to resources on New York City. It has become a vital resource for elected officials, policy makers, advocates, community leaders, students, media professionals, and concerned citizens covering local issues like no other news publication in the City. Since 1989, Citizens Union Foundation has also monitored the New York City Council and has published Searchlight on the City Council, a comprehensive guide to the city's legislative body and its action that is available on GothamGazette.com. Working with government and a diverse group of partner organizations and coalitions, CUF has also worked to improve the administration of elections by recruiting over 8,750 election day workers to staff the poll sites since 2001. Among this number are 893 poll workers, recruited to serve as language interpreters and, in 2006, 1,326 young people under the age of 25. Though all these activities, CUF is in its strongest position ever to influence the policy debate and decisions in the City and in Albany affecting the citizens of New York.