| Type | Non-Profit |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, United States |
| Key people | Patricia Duff |
| Website | thecommongood.net |
The Common Good is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan information and public advocacy organization of the media, business, arts and entertainment communities. It was originally established in 1987 in Los Angeles in the entertainment industry as Show Coalition and is now headquartered in New York City. The Common Good seeks to spark increased civic involvement and participation in the political process, bolstering the democratic process and progressive activism. The Common Good is committed to creating a lively and clear-thinking dialogue, protecting freedom of speech, promoting tolerance, encouraging good government and holding our leaders accountable. TCG has brought the nation's best and brightest opinion-shapers to its members, and offers a unique opportunity to connect to the political process and public policy leaders. The organization believes the opportunity to consider and ask tough questions of our leaders across partisan lines is imperative, especially given an often fractious domestic political scene and an increasingly dangerous international environment. The Common Good does not endorse or raise funds for political candidates. Membership is by invitation only.[1]
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The Common Good’s roots are based in the organization, Show Coalition, which was founded in 1987 by Patricia Duff and supported by members of the entertainment industry and political activists such as music executive Danny Goldberg, director Sidney Pollack, writer/producer Norman Lear and activist Betsy Kenny. At that time it was a Los Angeles-based membership organization focused on bringing prominent members of the entertainment industry together with leading political figures from across the country. As such, it became an important part of the Washington-Hollywood political nexus in the 1980s and 1990s and one of the original entertainment industry organizations to organize and educate members of the entertainment industry on politics and national issues.
Celebrity entertainment participants in various endeavors included: Denzel Washington, Kevin Costner, Bette Midler, Tyne Daly, Geena Davis, Danny Glover, Dennis Miller, Cheech Marin, Edward James Olmos, Tom Selleck, Jimmy Smits, Patrick Swayze, Alfre Woodard, Lou Gossett, Ed Begley and Donna Mills. Many producers, writers, agents and executives in the film, music and television industries have also been counted among its members or have participated in its events including film directors such as Sidney Pollack and Roland Joffe, Barbara Kopple, TV executive Ted Harbert. After a hiatus, Duff re-ignited Show Coalition under its new name, The Common Good, where she currently serves as Chairman.
The Common Good brings a wide range of speakers to its members, including those active in politics, media, business and entertainment. Past speakers include:
President: Bill Clinton
Vice Presidents: Al Gore, Dick Cheney
Government Officials: James Baker, William Cohen, Henry Kissinger, Peter Peterson, General Wesley Clark, Leslie H. Gelb, Dee Dee Myers, Robert Hormats
Ambassadors: Dan Gillerman, Munir Akram, Felix Rohatyn, Pierre Vimont
Governors: Janet Napolitano, David Paterson, Ed Rendell, Bill Richardson, Bill Ritter, Kathleen Sebelius, Brian Schweitzer, Tom Vilsack, Mark Warner, Bill Weld
Senators: Chris Dodd, Bob Dole, Chuck Hagel, Steny Hoyer, John Kerry, Bob Kerrey, Amy Klobuchar, George Mitchell, Jay Rockefeller, Gordon Smith, Arlen Specter
Elected Officials: Members of Congress Harold Ford, Jr., Carolyn Maloney; Mayors Michael Bloomberg, Gavin Newsom, Antonio Villaraigosa; Charles Hynes, Raymond Kelly
Media Figures and Newsmakers: Dan Abrams, Roger Ailes, Jonathan Alter, Tucker Carlson, Joe Conason, Mark Green, Arianna Huffington, Gwen Ifill, Jesse Jackson, Joe Klein, Cynthia McFadden, Jon Meacham, Markos Moulitsas, Ron Brownstein, Bill Schneider, Ted Turner, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Faye Wattleton, Tim Weiner, Mort Zuckerman
Consultants and Advisors: Doug Bailey, Paul Begala, Joel Benenson, Kellyanne Conway, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Gerald Rafshoon, Ed Rollins, Nouriel Roubini, Doug Schoen
Entertainment Industry Figures: Ed Begley, Jr., Chevy Chase, Kevin Costner, Geena Davis, Fats Domino, Danny Glover, Danny Goldberg, Roland Joffe, Barbara Kopple, Bette Midler, Dennis Miller, Sydney Pollack, Tom Selleck, Russell Simmons, Jimmy Smits, Denzel Washington, Debra Winger
Originating with Show Coalition and continuing with The Common Good, The American Spirit Awards was created to honor individuals who have contributed compassionately to their communities. The American Spirit Awards honors filmmakers, community activists, writers and producers for their humane and exceptional work. Notable honorees included former President Jimmy Carter for his extraordinary commitment to human rights and his humanitarian work through such projects as Habitat for Humanity International.