Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots nonprofit citizens' lobbying organization founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, a Republican who served as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Lyndon B. Johnson and chaired the National Urban Coalition. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with chapters in 35 states, it functions as a watchdog group advocating for ethical government, voting rights, campaign finance reform, and democratic accountability. In its early years, Common Cause focused on ending the Vietnam War and lowering the national voting age from 21 to 18, achieving the latter milestone through successful advocacy. The organization has a history of bipartisan efforts, launching as an independent entity 'for those Americans who want to help in the rebuilding of the nation.' Over the decades, Common Cause has played a pivotal role in legislative reforms, lobbying Congress to pass the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, which required financial disclosures for officials and restricted the 'revolving door' between government and business. In 1989, it pushed for another Ethics in Government Act that banned special-interest honoraria for members of Congress and closed loopholes allowing conversion of campaign funds to personal use. Its efforts contributed to ethics investigations leading to the resignations of House Speakers Jim Wright in 1988 and Newt Gingrich in 1995. Additional milestones include enacting a ban on 'soft money' in political campaigns and helping establish the Office of Congressional Ethics. Financially, Common Cause has received significant funding from progressive sources, including over $1.4 million from the Sixteen Thirty Fund between 2018 and 2023, and $625,000 from the North Fund from 2021 to 2023, both operating under the umbrella of Arabella Advisors. This funding has drawn scrutiny from conservative outlets like InfluenceWatch, which highlight its ties to left-leaning networks, though the organization maintains its nonpartisan stance. Common Cause continues to operate as a key player in promoting transparency and accountability in U.S. democracy.