About

Courage California envisions a progressive, equitable, and representative California, powered by our people. We believe that California must be a beacon of progress. As the 5th largest economy in the world — and the United States’ largest and most diverse state — California is uniquely positioned to serve as a model for the country.

Our mission is to unite and equip Californians to hold leaders accountable and take courageous action for change. By providing the information, resources and infrastructure Californians need to hold their elected officials accountable, Courage California is fighting for a California that works for all of us. To achieve this, State and local representatives must be accountable to and reflective of the Californians they seek to serve, and work for the public’s benefit — as opposed to prioritizing the will of corporate lobbyists and campaign contributors.

Driven by our members and partnerships throughout the state, Courage California actively calls out institutional corruption and oppression, improves coordination and collaboration between progressive organizations, and demands that state and local representatives be accountable to and reflective of the Californians they seek to serve.

Uniting for a more Courageous California.

With Courage, We Can.

Mission

Unite and equip Californians to hold leaders accountable and take courageous action for change.

Vision

A progressive, equitable, and representative California, powered by our people.

Staff

Boards of Directors

Courage California Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is an educational affiliate of Courage California. Our mission is to defend and extend economic justice, human rights, and corporate and political accountability through public education, strategic research, and innovative leadership-development training.

Democracy in the U.S. can represent and serve all residents when ALL communities have the power to use their voice and be heard by leadership.

We believe that in order for California to have a truly equitable and representative democracy — everyone must have access to trusted, reliable, and unbiased information and tools to help voters better understand civic engagement, at every level. Courage California Institute empowers Californians through education and resources to courageously participate in the democratic process and create change for the betterment of their families and communities.

Contributions to Courage California Institute are TAX DEDUCTIBLE within IRS guidelines.

Courage California Institute

Formed in 2006, Courage California is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. The 501(c)(4) designation allows Courage California to advocate for legislation and influence the decisions of our elected leaders.

Contributions made to Courage California are NOT tax deductible, tax ID: 20-4841338.

Courage California Issues Committee is a ballot committee, under our 501(c)(4) designation, active on statewide and local ballot campaigns and is registered with the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Affiliations
Courage California Super PAC is a separately incorporated super PAC that supports and opposes candidates for federal office.

Courage California Institute is a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) charitable organization, visit www.couragecaliforniainstitute.org to learn more. Contributions to Courage California Institute are tax deductible.

Partners
A “partner” of Courage California is defined as any organization, elected official, or community leader who we work with on any action or a longer-term body of work. We are actively expanding our partner network as part of our vision of uniting communities and leveraging our collective power for change.

We pride ourselves on working with a broad array of partner organizations to break down silos and build progressive power across issues, organizations, and communities, statewide and across the United States. Our partner network includes more than 300 organizations. Courage California is also a proud state partner of the ProgressNow network.

Members
A “member” of Courage California is defined as any person who has participated in at least one digital action with Courage California. Members are generally contacted by Courage California based on their expression of interest in specific issues or categories. We carefully guard our members’ information and do not sell or use any data for commercial purposes. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Courage California has 1.4 million members throughout California, the United States, and globally. We engage our digital membership on political actions throughout each year, from signing petitions, to calling their legislators, to joining protests and other direct actions in their communities. Courage members are also members of some of our partner organizations, bringing greater coordination and unity to the progressive political movement in California.

California Green New Deal

California Green New Deal is a coalition of community organizations, advocates, unions, and allies across California who believe that the future of our state and planet depends on rapidly transitioning to a clean energy economy with justice at its core.

The Dream Alliance

Building the California Dream Alliance is a broad advocacy coalition of over 70 progressive organizations that have joined together to build a California where EVERYONE has a shot at the California Dream.

California Working Families Party

The California Working Families Party is the grassroots party for the multiracial working class, fighting to make California care for all its people, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

Healthy CA Now

Healthy California Now is a statewide coalition of organizations and activists dedicated to establishing a single-payer, Medicare For All system in California.

Valley Families Unite

Valley Families Unite represents a shared vision of economic prosperity for working families and accountable leadership in California. With the collective strength of Courage California, Inland Empire United, Communities for a New California Action Fund, and Lower Costs California, we are eager to hold our elected officials accountable for fighting for the economic well-being of California families.

Lower Costs California

Lower Costs California is a coalition of a group of concerned citizens who are holding their elected leaders accountable to make the costs of living fair and affordable a reality for everyday Californians.

ProgressNow

ProgressNow works with state partners to promote progressive ideas and causes through earned media strategies and cutting-edge new media.

Equality on Trial (EOT formerly Prop 8 Trial Tracker) was a project of Courage California Institute. It was established to cover the 2009 Perry v. Brown trial Prop 8 Trial Tracker covered the trial live from the courthouse, collected all of the latest motions and court rulings on one site, and documented and responded to right-wing attacks on the process. Re-branded as Equality on Trial, the site covered ongoing legal issues pertaining to the LGBTQ community, including state and federal marriage equality cases, challenges to the so-called federal Defense of Marriage Act, and more.

Equality on Trial was sunsetted by Courage California Institute in August of 2023.

Equality on Trial, sponsored and funded by Courage California Institute, was managed by Scottie Thomaston, an activist and writer based in Alabama. In addition to being a Contributor at Courage California Institute’s EqualityOnTrial.com, he has been a longtime contributor to DailyKos, Fire Dog Lake, Critical Mass Progress, and The Huffington Post’s ‘Gay Voices.’ As a lifelong activist, he has worked to help to end the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy” and to end proposed statewide amendments and legislation such as the recently withdrawn anti-transgender bill proposed in Tennessee’s General Assembly. He’s written on topics ranging from LGBT rights to disability rights and criminal justice.