Common Sense America (CSA) is a right-of-center advocacy organization that seeks to advance policy solutions that put America first, with a focus on issues like economic security, energy independence, national security, technological innovation, and public safety. ¹

Activities

Common Sense America is a right-of-center advocacy organization that supports public policy that prioritizes U.S. prosperity, security, and independence. CSA advocates initiatives that enhance economic growth, support energy independence, strengthen national security, and foster technological innovation.  ¹

CSA claims that flawed policies and regulatory loopholes have placed unnecessary burdens on American farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses, which has allowed too much foreign competition. CSA advocates for balanced policies that strengthen U.S.-based production, encouraging self-reliance and innovation. CSA supports modernizing the regulatory framework and closing loopholes that will allow American industry and agriculture to thrive. ²

CSA advocates for expanding domestic energy production, claiming it would reduce foreign energy dependence and create more affordable energy for Americans. CSA advocates policies that support a more secure and sustainable U.S. energy infrastructure, including domestic energy and mineral production, removing barriers to development, streamlining permitting processes, and reducing obstructions imposed by extremist environmental groups. ³

CSA advocates policies that expand national security to include cybersecurity, along with secure borders, military readiness, and advanced defense technologies. CSA claims that hostile states like China, Russia, and North Korea pose digital threats that seek to undermine U.S. national security through cyberattacks that target critical infrastructure, government networks, and private companies. ⁴

CSA advocates for public safety policies that address crime, illegal drug use, and the consequences of sanctuary city laws. CSA supports policies that protect and properly equip law enforcement agencies, hold drug traffickers and repeat offenders accountable, and reform sanctuary city laws that prevent federal immigration authorities from doing their jobs. ⁵

Funding

Common Sense America is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. While CSA does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Center for American Ideas ($1.9 million in 2022),  ⁶ Let’s Preserve the American Dream ($505,000 in 2023),  ⁷ and Building America’s Future ($125,000 in 2024).  ⁸

In 2022, the same year it received $1.9 million from the Center for American Ideas,  ⁶ Common Sense America contributed $1.7 million to America’s Promise, a Nashville-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization established in 2021 (not to be confused with America’s Promise Alliance).  ⁹ America’s Promise does not have a web presence, so its operations are unclear. ¹⁰

Board of Directors

Steven Crim is the president of Common Sense America. Crim is the founder of Common Sense Maryland and a co-founder of Change Maryland. Crim formerly worked in the administration of former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) as a top adviser and director of public affairs. ¹¹

Melodie Johnson is the secretary and treasurer of the board of CSA.  ¹² Johnson also sits on the boards of the GOPAC Education Fund, the Protecting Americans Project, Our American Century Action, and the Center for American Ideas. ¹³

Donation Recipient

America’s Promise (nonprofit)

Common Sense America Election Fund (Super PAC)

No Casinos (nonprofit)

Donor Organizations

Building America’s Future (nonprofit)

Center For American Ideas (nonprofit)

GOPAC Education Fund (nonprofit)

Let’s Preserve the American Dream (nonprofit)

People Over Party (nonprofit)

Vendors

Hamrick Firm LLC (for profit)

Portman Square Group LLC (for profit)

1. “About.” Common Sense America. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://www.acommonsenseamerica.org/about/.
2. “Economic Security.” Common Sense America. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://www.acommonsenseamerica.org/economic-security/.
3. “Energy Independence.” Common Sense America. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://www.acommonsenseamerica.org/energy-independence/.
4. “National Security.” Common Sense America. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://www.acommonsenseamerica.org/national-security/.
5. “Public Safety.” Common Sense America. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://www.acommonsenseamerica.org/public-safety/.
6. Center for American Ideas, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Schedule I, Part II.
7. Let’s Preserve the American Dream, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023, Schedule I, Part II.
8. Building America’s Future, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2024, Schedule I, Part II.
9. Common Sense America Inc, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Schedule I, Part II.
10. “Americas Promise.” ProPublica. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/862620192.
11. “About.” Common Sense Maryland. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://www.commonsensemaryland.org/about.
12. Common Sense America Inc, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2024, Part VII, Section A, Line 1a.
13. “Melodie Johnson.” ProPublica. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/name_search?q=%22Melodie+Johnson%22.