Posted on December 14, 2016
How your votes are making a difference: a thank-you from our November grantees
Each month, CREDO members vote for how we distribute our monthly donation to three amazing organizations fighting for progressive causes. Those small actions add up. Last month, over 57,000 CREDO members voted on how to distribute our funds to Fight for the Future, Oil Change International and Planned Parenthood.
These donations are made possible by thousands of CREDO customers and the revenue they generate through using our services. Their distribution depends entirely on the votes of CREDO activists – like you. And for that, our November recipients thank you.
Posted on December 9, 2016
6 ways progressives can fight back against Trump
Election night 2016 left progressives shaken. America elected a bigot as president of the United States. Despite the results, we can still fight Donald Trump’s hateful, reckless agenda.
At CREDO, where I serve as CEO, we are executing an aggressive response to Trump that focuses on protecting vulnerable communities at risk, delegitimizing an unqualified candidate who was opposed by a majority of voters, obstructing Trump’s hateful and aggressive agenda and going on the counterattack wherever possible. Our community of more than 4.7 million CREDO activists is mobilized and already fighting Trump. We know firsthand that individual actions can avalanche into large-scale transformation.
We also contribute every month to progressive nonprofits from revenue generated by CREDO Mobile, our progressive phone company. That adds up to more than $1.6 million this year and over $81 million over our 30+ years in business.
Posted on December 5, 2016
VICTORY: Dakota Access pipeline blocked
In a surprise move on Sunday, the Army Corps of Engineers denied the easement (PDF) needed for the Dakota Access pipeline to cross Lake Oahe, effectively blocking the construction of the pipeline from moving forward at this time.1, 2
This is a tremendous victory for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, other indigenous leaders and the Iowa landowners who have led the fierce and principled grassroots resistance to the pipeline.
While this fight is not over yet, Sunday’s announcement was a major setback for the pipeline and a testament to the power of grassroots activism. Nearly 500,000 CREDO members have taken action against the pipeline by signing petitions, calling the White House, pledging to resist arrest to stop the pipeline’s construction in Iowa and joining rapid response rallies against the pipeline from coast to coast.
To celebrate this amazing people powered victory and thank the heroic Water Protectors who led this fight by putting their bodies on the line, please share our “Thank you Water Protectors” graphic on Facebook now.
Posted on December 1, 2016
Victory: We just struck a blow against the right-wing’s agenda of hate
Our activism works.
On Tuesday, after facing intense pressure from over 265,000 CREDO members and our allies in the progressive community, congressional Republicans caved and agreed to strip the anti-LGBTQ Russell Amendment from the defense spending bill. The provision would have given religiously affiliated organizations license to discriminate against women, the LGBTQ community and religious minorities using taxpayer dollars, undermining the protections currently in place for people employed by federal contractors.
Posted on November 30, 2016
Breaking news: We’re fighting to protect your privacy
To our progressive community: This is something I’ve wanted to tell you since I became CEO of CREDO but haven’t been able to because of a gag order issued by the federal government.
In 2013, CREDO received two National Security Letters from the FBI. We filed a lawsuit against the FBI challenging the constitutionality of National Security Letters or NSLs. NSLs are a tool the federal government can use to secretly demand information about our customers. The federal government forced us to remain silent about these requests and our fight against them with a gag order. For three long years, we have been forced to keep this lawsuit a secret.
Unlike other phone companies who profit by selling your information to the federal government, privacy is a core value for CREDO, and we will fight to defend it. We have run campaigns opposing the PATRIOT Act and other privacy-violating laws and funded a variety of groups who fought alongside us.
Posted on November 28, 2016
Double Donations in December: Standing Up Against Trump’s Hate
Donald Trump’s bigoted attack on the diversity of our communities, including the bullying of immigrants and Muslim-Americans, was abhorrent during the election, and it will be disgraceful if he continues this behavior in the White House. His first staffing decisions show that he wants to build an administration that will use the power of the federal government to deliver on those threats.
CREDO believes it is incumbent on all of us to stand up and defend those threatened by Trump. That is why we decided to select groups standing up against Trump’s hate for one of the slates we are funding in our special December donations election.
This month, instead of donating our typical monthly contribution, we’ll be donating to over $300,000. And instead of three groups, you’ll be able to vote for three issue slates, each comprised of five nonprofits, to fund a total of 15 groups. These organizations are small grassroots groups, meaning your vote and the contribution it represents will go even further.
Learn more about the groups in the “Standing Up Against Trump’s Hate” slate below and cast your vote by Dec. 31.
Posted on November 28, 2016
Double Donations in December: Advancing the Movement for Black Lives
The movement for Black lives changed the conversation in 2016. No longer could America ignore issues like police violence against people of color, criminal justice reform and economic injustice. Taking to the street, activists created a new conversation and forced the media to cover their issues like never before.
In 2017, it is critical this work continue. That is why CREDO decided to select groups advancing the movement for Black lives for one of the slates we will fund in our special December donations election. This month, instead of donating our typical monthly contribution, we’ll be donating over $300,000. And instead of three groups, you’ll be able to vote for three issue slates, each comprised of five nonprofits, to fund a total of 15 groups. These organizations are small, grassroots groups, meaning your vote will go even further.
Learn more about the groups in the “Advancing the Movement for Black Lives” slate below, and cast your vote by Dec. 31.
Posted on November 28, 2016
Doubling Your Impact in December
December is going to be a little different.
In a typical month, CREDO donates to three progressive organizations, but in the aftermath of the 2016 election, we need to step up and do more. That’s why this month, we’ll be doubling our donations to over $300,000. And instead of allowing you to vote for three organizations, we’re inviting you to vote for three vital fights, each comprised of five nonprofits on the front lines.
These groups, chosen because they are advancing the movement for Black lives, fighting for climate justice and standing up against Trump’s hate, were selected because of their effective grassroots activism. Learn more about these causes and organizations, then cast your December vote.
Posted on November 28, 2016
Double Donations in December: Fighting for Climate Justice
Our government’s climate policies will take a sharp turn for the worse during Donald Trump’s administration, but our fight on this issue is far from over. Activists and landowners stood up to the Obama administration to stop the Keystone XL pipeline – and won. Right now, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, which is leading the fight against the Dakota Access pipeline, is facing a violent reaction from law enforcement. The key to keeping fossil fuels in the ground during the next four years is going to be ensuring that local grassroots organizations are armed with resources and ready to fight.
That is why CREDO decided to select groups fighting for climate justice for one of the slates we will fund in our special December donations election. This month, instead of donating our typical monthly contribution, we’ll be donating over $300,000. And instead of three groups, you’ll be able to vote for three issue slates, each comprised of five nonprofits, to fund a total of 15 groups. These organizations are small grassroots organizations, meaning your vote will go even further.
Learn more about the groups in the “Fighting for Climate Justice” slate below, and cast your vote by Dec. 31.
Posted on November 16, 2016
8 Gift ideas for progressive people
We’re doing our best to foster a holiday season defined by progressive values. One way I’m doing that is by giving gifts that show we care — not only for the people we’re giving to, but for all people and for the planet that sustains us. Looking for ideas, I took a walk around our office and asked CREDO team members what they’re giving this year. They had a lot of great suggestions:
Mother Jones subscription
Suggested by Kat, Digital Affiliates Manager
Nonprofit and reader-supported, Mother Jones is the voice of independent journalism. It provides insightful investigative reporting, unbiased by a corporate agenda, which makes it a great gift for anyone who wants the straight scoop on the vital issues of our day. Plus, now is a good time to give Mother Jones. Just recently, a major conservative donor, angry at the coverage he received in the magazine, sued for libel. And while he lost, defending the case cost Mother Jones hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, giving a subscription this holiday season also gives the magazine much-needed support.
BeadforLife
Suggested by Claire, Loyalty Marketing Manager
BeadforLife jewelry is not only a cool and colorful gift, but it’s also a great way to lift up women in Africa through entrepreneurship and education. The BeadforLife collection includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all handcrafted from recycled paper by Ugandan women working to move their families out of poverty. BeadforLife also operates a six-month training program that gives women the skills and confidence they need to create their own local businesses and achieve long-term success. Fair trade BeadforLife pieces are durable and affordable, a perfect gift for family, friends — and yourself as well.
