Non-profit

Work for Progress

Website:

workforprogress.org

Location:

Denver, CO

Formation:

2008

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Work for Progress is a Colorado-based consulting firm registered in Boston, Massachusetts. Work for Progress is associated with the Public Interest Network of left-progressive advocacy groups and has performed vendor services for multiple Public Interest Network organizations, including the Fund for the Public InterestEnvironment America Action Fund, and Fair Share Action. Although Work for Progress is not technically a part of the Public Interest Network, the two organizations share an office address. 1

In addition to placing employees within the Public Interest Network, Work for Progress places workers in other left-progressive advocacy organizations and campaigns. Work for Progress also works with left-of-center political candidates and initiatives, providing workers for phone banking and door-to-door canvassing campaigns. 2

The organization has drawn numerous complaints for alleged poor treatment of employees and unethical employment practices. 3

Overview

Work for Progress was founded in 2008 to connect left-wing activists with campaigns and nonprofits in search of employees. The organization also works to provide canvassers for Democratic candidates and initiatives. 4 Work for Progress primarily connects job seekers to the left-wing Public Interest Network. The two organizations share an address in Denver, Colorado. 2

Work for Progress has provided canvassers to political campaigns including those of former President Barack Obama, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D). The Work for Progress elections team consists of activism veterans with decades of grassroots and election experience. 4

Work for Progress has placed job seekers at organizations including U.S. PIRG, Environment America, and Green Corps. Employees placed through Work for Progress claim a number of left-of-center policy enactments, including convincing five states to commit to moving towards zero-carbon energy systems and getting McDonald’s to reduce the use of antibiotics in its global beef supply. 4

Controversies

Work for Progress has drawn significant criticism from former workers alleging poor treatment by supervisors, poor pay, and other unethical business practices. Currently, the organization receives only a 2.9 out of 5-star rating on Glassdoor, and only 40% of Glassdoor claimed employee respondents would recommend working with the organization to a friend. 3

One former employee described upper management as operating on a “model of abuse,” claiming that lower-level employees are overworked on “poverty wages” in a review posted on October 5, 2020. The employee also claimed that Work for Progress forces employees to stay at one another’s homes during travel, rather than booking hotels, on the grounds that the practice increases social justice messaging. 5

Another former canvasser accused Work for Progress of not keeping its word on pay. The canvasser alleged that they were promised $15 an hour but instead paid $10.20 an hour. 3 Multiple former employees have argued that directors mismanage the organization, including the use of obsolete maps and technology in canvassing. 3

References

  1. “The Public Interest Network”. 2020. Idealist. https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/99fcc0f51a5f4d64864f96e8ecd19c8c-the-public-interest-network-denver.
  2.   “The Public Interest Network”. 2020. Idealist. https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/99fcc0f51a5f4d64864f96e8ecd19c8c-the-public-interest-network-denver.
  3. “Work For Progress Reviews”. 2020. Glassdoor. Accessed October 26. https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Work-for-Progress-Reviews-E412135.htm.
  4. “About Us”. 2020. Work For Progress. Accessed October 26. https://workforprogress.org/about-us/.
  5.             “Work For Progress Reviews”. 2020. Glassdoor. Accessed October 26. https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Work-for-Progress-Reviews-E412135.htm.
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Work for Progress

1543 Wazee St
Suite 440
Denver, CO 80202