named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Not Accountable
Book and advocacy initiative by Philip K. Howard arguing that public employee unions undermine democratic governance and should be unconstitutional. Focuses on accountability in public institutions such as schools, police departments, and civil service.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Leadership & Policy Dialogue Forums 1 activity
- Organize virtual forums on public sector reform and bureaucracy reductionConvenes virtual forums to discuss and promote reform in government operations, including topics such as remaking public service, reducing healthcare and school bureaucracy, and improving legal frameworks for pandemic recovery.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Author and publish research on government reform and governance frameworksProduces research publications, including books and reports, on government reform, such as "The Death of Common Sense," "Saving Can-Do," "Not Accountable," and reports proposing new governance frameworks to empower public officials in infrastructure and decision-making modernization.
- Conduct public education and advocacy for legal and government reformEngages in public education activities to promote awareness of the need for legal reform and advocates for structural changes in government operations, including calls for a National Infrastructure Board and a special commission to improve government functionality.
- Found and lead a nonpartisan organization dedicated to government reformFounded Common Good, a nonpartisan organization focused on advocating for government reform and improving public sector decision-making through research, publications, and convenings.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.59M
Contributions & grants$1.59M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$817K
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$388K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$968K
Cash$880K
Investments$0
Liabilities$78K
Net assets$891K
Liquid reserves12.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +96.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATTHEW BROWN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $127K |
| ANDREW PARK | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH | 40 | $107K |
board members · 7
- ALAN SIEGEL — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY CM KISER — TREASURER
- JAMES P O'SHAUGHNESSY — DIRECTOR
- JOHN MESSERVEY — DIRECTOR
- LAWRENCE J MONE — DIRECTOR
- PHILIP K HOWARD — CHAIRMAN
- SCOTT F SMITH — SECRETARY
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- American Enterprise Institute Partner — Hosted a book event for "Saving Can-Do" on October 8, 2025, in conversation with George Will and Philip Wallach.
- American Law Institute Government — Philip Howard serves as President of the American Law Institute.
- Campaign for Common Sense Network — Common Good Institute operates or is closely affiliated with the Campaign for Common Sense, which hosts forums and advocacy initiatives.
- Manhattan Institute Partner — Collaborated on publishing a report about modernizing infrastructure governance.
- Manhattan Institute Partner — Collaborated on the publication of a report proposing a new governing framework for infrastructure modernization.
- Niskanen Center Partner — Collaborates with the Niskanen Center through public discussions on governance reform.
- Niskanen Center Partner — Engaged in a podcast discussion on government reform and the Abundance movement.
- Rodin Books Partner — Partnered with Rodin Books to publish "Saving Can-Do: How to Revive the Spirit of America."
- Rodin Books Partner — Published the book "Everyday Freedom" by Philip K. Howard.
- Rodin Books Partner — Published the book "Not Accountable" by Philip K. Howard
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Public Education for Legal Reform 17 orgsmethodology: public_educationBy using public education campaigns, we advance awareness and support for structural legal reform because informed civic discourse creates the political will necessary to shift governing paradigms.shared approach: Public Awareness as Catalyst →
- Boundaries-Not-Rules Legal Frameworkmethodology: boundaries-not-rulesBy designing legal frameworks that establish broad boundaries to protect freedom rather than prescribing detailed rules, we produce greater individual and institutional autonomy because such frameworks enable innovation, accountability, and common-sense governance without sacrificing oversight.
- Constitutional and Civic Responsibility Frameworkmethodology: constitutional-governanceBy returning to constitutional principles that emphasize personal responsibility, elected accountability, and decentralized authority, we produce a healthier republican form of government because empowering individuals and elected officials—rather than entrenched bureaucracies or unions—restores functional self-governance.
- Restoring Human Judgment in Governancemethodology: judgment-over-red-tapeBy replacing rigid bureaucratic rules and procedural constraints with empowered human judgment and discretion, especially among frontline decision-makers, we produce more functional and responsive governance because individual agency and context-sensitive decision-making lead to better outcomes and restored civic responsibility.