Citizens Union Foundation

Mission Statement

Since its founding in 1897, Citizens Union has remained a union of citizens, without regard to party, for securing the honest and efficient government of the City of New York. Most of CU's work falls in four broad categories. Good Elections. Voting should be easy and voters should be informed. Citizens Union pushes for campaign reform, distributes voters guides, and promotes increased voter turnout. Good Government. Citizens Union monitors the performance of the executive and legislative wings of City Hall and keeps tabs on proposals in the NY State Legislature. We evaluate whether government is providing effective services in areas such as Parks, Education and Housing. Good Planning. Citizens Union takes the long view of the City's future. We support the wise and cost-effective development of New York's infrastructure, material and human. Public Policy and Public Debate. To help citizens monitor and affect policy making, we examine what is happening, what is working and what is not through the following information projects. Gothamgazette.com is an online magazine covering NYC news, policy and politics. Searchlight on the City Council is a bimonthly print publication covering the City Council. Searchlight TV is a monthly public affairs program on NY1. The Eye-Opener is a daily e-mail summary of the top NYC story and links to key articles in the daily papers. Citizens Union and its educational affiliate, the Citizens Union Foundation, are non-profit corporations with boards drawn from the leadership of New York business, professions, education and social services.