Issue One

Washington, DC · Founded 2012

Crosspartisan organization advancing political reform and democracy solutions through education, advocacy, and bipartisan legislation

Primary audience
General Public
Work area
Advocacy
Topic
Democracy & Governance
Contact
Nicholas Penniman
Website Contact

About Organization

Issue One unites Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to fix the broken political system and build an inclusive democracy. Based in Washington, DC, the organization was founded in 2012 and reported $14.8 million in revenue with 26 employees in 2023. The organization educates the public and engages Capitol Hill to pass commonsense solutions that improve government responsiveness.

What They Focus On

Democracy Reform

Advancing systemic solutions to fix broken political institutions and build an inclusive democracy that works for everyone

Bipartisan Legislation

Uniting lawmakers across party lines to pass commonsense reforms that improve government responsiveness to citizens

Civic Education

Educating the public and decision-makers about political reform solutions through research, events, and advocacy campaigns

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$14.8M

+88.4% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$8.2M

+0.7% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$12.0M

+118.5% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

26

+4% vs 2022

Historical financial data from IRS Form 990
Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $14,827,410 $8,219,311 $12,043,724 26
2022 $7,870,934 $8,163,749 $5,511,701 25
2021 $6,980,798 $6,280,243 $6,409,189 27
2020 $19,436,963 $16,323,377 $5,399,422 29
2019 $4,971,211 $5,124,938 $2,402,517 31
2018 $4,674,880 $4,666,186 $2,556,443 25
2017 $3,262,262 $3,283,337 $2,436,134 21

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Research & Analysis

    Identify broken systems and research crosspartisan solutions that can gain bipartisan support in Congress

  • 02

    Build Coalitions

    Unite Republicans, Democrats, and Independents around commonsense political reform solutions and shared democratic values

  • 03

    Educate Stakeholders

    Engage the public and Capitol Hill decision-makers through events, research, and communications campaigns

  • 04

    Advocate for Change

    Work with lawmakers to pass bipartisan legislation that improves government responsiveness to citizens

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Issue One

Political Reform Advocacy

Advances crosspartisan legislation on Capitol Hill to address systemic issues in American democracy and political system

Public Education

Educates citizens and decision-makers about political reform solutions through events, research, and communications campaigns

Technology Reform

Explores negative impacts of digital technology and social media on mental health, civic engagement, and public discourse

Rebuild Congress Initiative

Works to restore congressional effectiveness and improve how Congress functions to better serve the American people

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Issue One.

Amelia Leonardi

Amelia Leonardi

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $230,475
Alix Fraser

Alix Fraser

Vice President, Advocacy
Full-time
Compensation: $125,643
Michael Beckel

Michael Beckel

Money in Politics Reform Director
Kaitlyn Bernas

Kaitlyn Bernas

Advancement Intern
Joshua Manuel Bonet

Joshua Manuel Bonet

Senior Legislative Associate, Election Protection
Ella Charlesworth

Ella Charlesworth

National Campaigns Manager
Kei Chin

Kei Chin

Research Intern
Samantha Fitch

Samantha Fitch

People and Culture Intern
Víctor Guillén

Víctor Guillén

Director of National Campaigns
Grant Henry

Grant Henry

Communications Associate
Georgia Lyon

Georgia Lyon

Interim Senior Communications Manager
Michael McNulty

Michael McNulty

Policy Director
Jamie Neikrie

Jamie Neikrie

Legislative Director
Megan O'Halloran

Megan O'Halloran

Strategic Operations Lead
Nick Penniman

Nick Penniman

Founder and CEO
Renee Perkins

Renee Perkins

Administrative and Operations Specialist
Mike Piel

Mike Piel

Director of Philanthropy
Caroline Pirrone

Caroline Pirrone

Election Protection and Money in Politics Intern
Irena Schneider

Irena Schneider

Interim VP, Advancement
Isabel Sunderland

Isabel Sunderland

Policy Lead, Technology Reform
Rosarie Tucci

Rosarie Tucci

Vice President, Citizen Engagement
Patrick Young

Patrick Young

VP of People and Culture
NP

Nicholas Penniman

Chief Executive Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $328,108
ER

Ethan Rome

Chief Of Strategy And Program
Full-time
Compensation: $239,844
MF

Mahdokht Fassihian

Deputy Chief Of Strategy And Program
Full-time
Compensation: $166,855
JD

Jamie Dillon

Senior Director Of Advancement
Full-time
Compensation: $122,272
NL

Nicole Lagace

Vice President, Communications
Full-time
Compensation: $121,574

Milestones

2012

Organization Founded

2012

Issue One established as crosspartisan political reform organization in Washington, DC

2014

IRS Recognition

2014

Received tax-exempt status from IRS to advance political reform work

2020

Peak Revenue Year

2020

Reached $19.4 million in revenue with 29 employees during critical election year

2023

Technology Reform Expansion

2023

Launched major initiative examining social media impacts on mental health and civic engagement

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

BB
Barbara Brenner Buder Board Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week
BB
Bill Burgess Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
CC
Carlos Curbelo Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
DG
Dan Glickman Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
DG
David Gerson Board Secretary 2.00 hrs/week
DB
Deanna Ballard Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
DA
Diana Aviv Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
EW
Elaine Walsh Carney Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
EH
Emil Hill Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
IS
Ian Simmons Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
JL
Jb Lyon Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
JA
Julie Ann Crommett Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
KF
Katie Fahey Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
LW
Linda Willard Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
PT
Patrick Toussaint Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
PS
Peter Staple Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
RG
Richard Gephardt Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
TR
Tom Ridge Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
WH
Whitney Hatch Board Chair 2.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$1.6M

Highest Paid

$407K

Nicholas Penniman

Compensated Officers

7

Executive compensation for 2023
Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Nicholas Penniman Chief Executive Officer $328,108 $78,796 $406,904 39.9
Amelia Leonardi Chief Operating Officer $230,475 $68,576 $299,051 39.5
Ethan Rome Chief Of Strategy And Program $239,844 $25,919 $265,763 39.6
Mahdokht Fassihian Deputy Chief Of Strategy And Program $166,855 $29,220 $196,075 39.8
Alix Fraser Vice President, Technology Reform $125,643 $23,981 $149,624 39.8
Jamie Dillon Senior Director Of Advancement $122,272 $23,192 $145,464 39.8
Nicole Lagace Vice President, Communications $121,574 $6,776 $128,350 39.8

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$404K

Total Forgiven

$408K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

21

Loan Details 1 loan

$403,655
Forgiven
Forgiven: $408,062 100%
Approved Apr 12, 2020
Lender TD Bank, National Association
Jobs Reported 21
Forgiven On May 19, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$2.1M Grants Received
12 Organizations

Top Funders

12 total
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$798K
PL
Project Liberty Institute
$500K
SV
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
$350K
UA
Unite America Institute Inc.
$150K
PD
Protect Democracy Project
$100K
GD
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
$75K
I
Impactassetsinc
$50K
TB
The Bessemer Giving Fund
$20K
TC
The Chicago Community Trust 2 grants
$16K
GW
Greater Washington Community Foundation 2 grants
$12K
+2 more funders
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Project Liberty Institute Silicon Valley Community Foundation Unite America Institute Inc. Protect Democracy Project Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund Impactassetsinc The Bessemer Giving Fund The Chicago Community Trust Greater Washington Community Foundation Community Foundation Of Jackson Hole Community Foundation Of New Jersey
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Project Liberty Institute Silicon Valley Community Foundation Unite America Institute Inc. Protect Democracy Project Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund Impactassetsinc The Bessemer Giving Fund The Chicago Community Trust Greater Washington Community Foundation Community Foundation Of Jackson Hole Community Foundation Of New Jersey

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

1
Issue One Action
Washington, DC
Social Welfare
501(c) 501(C)(4)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
2 Registrations
1 Client
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 1 total

Issue One
2 filings
Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with Issue One

Phone

(202) 299-0265

Social

Visit Website
1401 K Street NW 350 Washington, DC 20005