After an independent foundation evaluates the effectiveness of hundreds of nominees, Working Assets Funding Service employees and board of directors select the nonprofit groups for the annual donations ballot. At the end of the year, members vote on how to distribute the donations among all the groups. Working Assets also makes special appeals for round-ups, addressing such urgent needs as a moratorium on capital punishment and an end to global warming. In 1991, Working Assets Funding Service created the Citizen Action program to provide customers with timely information and easy ways to speak out on important issues. Each month the company highlights two crucial national issues under debate, explaining what's at stake and whom to contact.
Online customers can send an instant e-mail with personal comments to targeted corporate leaders.
Working Assets is one of the most powerful progressive citizen-action groups in the nation. Each month, approximately 40,000 Working Assets customers make their voices heard for each national action. In 2000 alone, Working Assets' members generated more than 900,000 letters and calls to Congress, the White House and business leaders on issues of public concern. Throughout the year FAN monitors critical events as they unfold and notifies members by phone, fax or e-mail when it's time for action. For a low monthly fee, FAN members can influence public policy before it's too late.