Who we are
Fund for the Public Interest is a national, nonprofit organization that runs campaigns for America’s leading environmental and social change organizations. We launched the Fund in 1982 to help find ways to engage people on the most pressing problems of our day and turn that support into solutions. And now we run the nation’s largest and most effective canvassing operation. Our canvassers talk to people one-on-one, and through those interactions they help make thousands, and sometimes millions, of people’s voices heard, through petitions, emails, small donations and meetings. That’s people power, and that’s what it takes to make change.
Who we work with
We work alongside groups such as the Human Rights Campaign, U.S. PIRG and Environment America, on a wide range of campaigns including fighting for equal rights for LGBT Americans, reducing global warming pollution, and protecting public health by keeping our antibiotics safe and effective.
Our team
Whether you’re a canvass director or canvasser, you’re an integral part of a group committed to building strong campaigns to win on real challenges and problems we face.
Ed Johnson
Citizen Outreach Director
Ed started as a canvasser with the Fund in 1990. After 15 years running state-based canvass offices, overseeing regional and then national canvass operations, Ed now oversees all canvass, telephone outreach and direct mail projects. As Citizen Outreach Director, Ed helps the Fund build people power and continue our work that has already helped 20 million people make their voices heard through petition signatures, and has raised more than $500 million to help public interest groups win their campaigns.
Eric Hartwig
National Canvass Director
Eric began working with the Fund as a field manager during his junior year of college. After graduating from college, Eric became an assistant director and quickly moved into a lead director position, working to build membership and fundraise for the Human Rights Campaign. In his current role, Eric manages the partnership between HRC and the Fund and has overseen campaign offices in Manhattan, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and Ann Arbor. During the summer, Eric works with directors and canvassers across the country to coordinate Gay Pride canvass events for HRC.
Bethany Bauck
Regional Director
Bethany started with the Fund as an assistant canvass director in Chicago in 2012, after graduating from Wheaton College. As assistant canvass director, she worked to pass employment protections for the LGBTQ community. She then went on to run canvass offices in Cambridge, Mass., and Washington D.C., before taking on her current role in 2014. As a Regional Director, Bethany helps oversee our efforts to build membership and resources for HRC and to fight for full federal equality under the law.
