Common Cause is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the core values of American democracy, reinventing an open, honest, and accountable government that serves public interests, as well as empowering ordinary people to make their voices heard in the political process. With nearly 400,000 members and supporters and 36 state organizations, Common Cause remains committed to an honest, open, and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen participation in democracy. Common Cause was founded by John Gardner in 1970 in Washington, District of Columbia.