Fund for the Public Interest

The Fund for Public Interest Research is a national nonprofit organization working to increase the visibility, membership and political power of the nation’s leading environmental and progressive groups. Through their fundraising and non-fundraising canvasses, they've raised over $350 million and gathered over 20 million petition signatures over the past 20 years.

Current Fund partners like Sierra Club, Human Rights Campaign, and U.S. PIRG are expanding their donor base and passing tougher legislation against air pollution, forest clear-cutting, hate crimes, and special interest money in politics.

They're best known for their canvass programs. Over the years they've developed the nation's largest and most effective network for door-to-door and street canvassing—signing up members in high traffic, public places. They sign up sustainers—members who commit to automatic monthly contributions from a checking account or credit card—as well as one-time contributors. They are also one of the nation's most prolific signature gathering operations. They have pioneered other creative outreach methods, like canvassing at concerts and gay pride festivals.

Current Positions

Citizen Outreach Canvass Director: As a canvass director for the Fund, you run a campaign office in one of dozens of cities throughout the country. The staff you supervise educate citizens about the issues and get them involved in campaigns to win progressive change. In essence, you build a team of committed activists, who, in turn, mobilize hundreds or thousands of citizens to take action.

Telephone Outreach Project Director: Through telephone outreach, progressive organizations are able to reach, inform and mobilize thousands of citizen supporters. Directors of the Fund's Telephone Outreach Projects recruit and manage a staff of 20 to 30 articulate, committed people in order to raise funds and activate citizens over the phone.