About the Progressive Ideas Network
Mission Statement
The Progressive Ideas Network (PIN) is an alliance of multi-issue think tanks and activist organizations working together to amplify the power of ideas in advancing today's progressive movement. All our work is geared toward one outcome: the development of a more connected, cooperative, and effective progressive ideas sector. PIN achieves this outcome through three interrelated strategies. First, PIN performs services that benefit each member organization’s individual impact. Second, we create forums where ideas sector organizations can come together to think creatively about new ideas and strategies. Finally, PIN fosters collaborations that build alignment among members and leverage our collective strength for greater impact. Together, PIN partners are building a policy infrastructure to power a new era in progressive politics.
History
The Progressive Ideas Network was the result of a convening of 30 leaders representing 25 think tanks and other idea-generating organizations that took place at the Pocantico Retreat Center in December 2007. The retreat was convened by the Jamestown Project, Center for Community Change, Opportunity Agenda, and Redefining Progress, with financial support from the Nathan Cummings Foundation, Wallace Global Fund, Marguerite Casey Foundation, and Open Society Institute. The project was incubated at the Commonweal Institute, and is now housed at Demos.
The Network’s first substantive project was the collaborative articulation of a domestic policy agenda for the new Congress and Administration. The project launched in September 2008 with the release of New Progressive Voices, which outlined our shared agenda in a collection of nine essays. Shortly after learning about New Progressive Voices, the Editorial Director at Berrett-Koehler proposed publishing the work as a short book, to be released on Inauguration Day. The PIN team created updated content for the new book, including a foreword by Robert Kuttner and a new essay about the financial meltdown from Dean Baker. The result was Thinking Big: Progressive Ideas for a New Era, a handy pocket reference to the progressive positions on the major issues of the day in Washington. With its big ideas and emotionally resonant language, Thinking Big provided progressive activists with a broader context for our individual campaigns and struggles, and a shared story about our vision for the future, one that binds us together in community.
In 2009, we leveraged two convenings and over $50,000 in regranting to build up a strong base of collaborative programming activity, and PIN now has four official projects underway, with another three happening as a result of PIN work, but without PIN financial resources. We also expanded the base of organizations working with PIN. The original Pocantico retreat included representatives from 21 groups; our 2009 programming increased the number of participating idea-generating organizations to 40, and the Duluth meeting brought PIN members together with representatives from a wide range of field and media groups.
PIN Steering Committee
Stephanie Robinson, Chair
The Jamestown Project
Seth Borgos,
Center for Community Change
Darcy Burner,
Progressive Caucus Policy Foundation
Chuck Collins,
Institute for Policy Studies
Tamara Draut,
Demos
Dr. Katherine Forrest,
Commonweal Institute
Jim Harkness,
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Miles Rapoport,
Demos
Andy Rich,
Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute
Juhu Thukral,
Opportunity Agenda
Staff
Barry Kendall is Director of the Progressive Ideas Network, a nationwide alliance of multi-issue think tanks and activist organizations. Holding a doctorate from Stanford University, Barry is an expert on the role of religion in American culture and politics. He is a 2009 recipient of the "40 Under 40" Award from the New Leaders Council, and he is proud to serve as an adviser to Netroots Nation. Barry sings baritone with a terrific Bay Area ensemble, the International Orange Chorale.
Kristin Casey, Research Associate
Phoebe Chang, Social Media Intern
