The Power of Us: Charting the Path to a Stronger PA
THE COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY IMPACT REPORT 2024
Democracy doesn’t work unless we do, too.
The Committee of Seventy is a nonpartisan civic leadership organization that advances representative, ethical, and effective government in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania through public policy advocacy and citizen engagement.
We envision our city and commonwealth as having a vibrant local democracy and trustworthy government.
Dear Friends,
In the midst of a contentious election year, the Committee of Seventy steadfastly focused on our 120-year-long commitment to safeguarding election integrity and empowering citizens to engage meaningfully in the democratic process.
When partisan distractions dominate headlines, it’s easy to lose sight of the vital work happening at the local level—the work that shapes our schools, parks, public safety, and transportation. Local governments directly impact our daily lives. Staying engaged in the democratic process during and between elections ensures that every voice is heard where change is most immediate and impactful.
For 120 years, Seventy has been a nonpartisan advocate for fair, transparent, and accountable government. This year, we doubled down on that commitment—focusing on what unites us: a shared belief in the power of democracy. By building coalitions across divides, educating voters, and advocating for policies that prioritize effectiveness and representation over politics, Seventy is creating pathways for meaningful participation and change.
Our mission is clear: to cut through the rhetoric, remind Pennsylvanians of the power of their vote, and equip them with the tools to take action. From teaching young people the importance of civic engagement to ensuring every voter understands how to cast their vote successfully, Seventy remains a steadfast resource for all who care about the health of our democracy.
But democracy cannot thrive in isolation. It requires all of us to step up, look beyond partisan labels, and work together for the common good. Now more than ever, participation is not just a right—it’s our shared responsibility.
TOGETHER IN ACTION,
Lauren Cristella President & CEO
Eric Kraeutler Board Chair
(December 2021 - December 2024)
2024 Election Impact
This year, Seventy led the way through the noise to the polls for thousands of Pennsylvania voters, developing critical resources to demystify the election process, ensuring communities were ready for election day, and instilling confidence in our elections.
BY-THE-NUMBERS
211 partners
including major employers, civic leaders, elected officials, colleges and universities, religious communities, and media outlets
450K people
reached through WeVote partnerships
23K students, ages 5-18, reached through our youth civics programs
8,500+ poll workers
trained and prepared to serve on election day through general information sessions and the official election materials created for the City of Philadelphia
“As a group representing regional businesses, B Local Philadelphia greatly values Seventy as a fiercely nonpartisan organization. Our partnership with C70 gives me confidence in providing access to vital information about how our democracy works, especially here in Philadelphia. It allows us to offer actionable information to business owners and their teams without worrying about potential bias or misinterpretation. This year, Tanisha Bezue [Seventy’s program director] came to speak to our community about how our government works and what to expect for the elections. Not only did she make our governing processes more approachable, but she also made learning so much fun!”
—Emmy Allison, B Local
TESTIMONIALS
“Committee of Seventy consistently shows up in communities—churches, senior centers, and with the formerly incarcerated—offering respectful, behindthe-scenes partnership while recognizing that the work must be led by trusted local messengers. They provide valuable resources, technology, and coordination to make the work easier.”
—Angelique Hinton, PA Youth Vote
“We view voting as a critical social determinant of health, and connecting my team with the Committee of Seventy has been immensely rewarding. Much like we rely on doctors for their expertise, we rely on C70 for their deep understanding of voter registration, state policies, and local polling rules.”
Kevin Mahoney, University of Pennsylvania Health System
“C70’s expertise and strategic guidance were essential in providing clear, actionable resources to our students and empowering Temple’s voter education and engagement initiatives.”
Deanne DeCrescenzo, Temple Votes
“Seventy helped us create an accessible webinar on voting rights for individuals with disabilities, offering professionalism, responsiveness, and a thoughtfully designed presentation.”
Karen Hassett, Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)
Preparing & Protecting PA Voters
In the crucial 2024 election year, we equipped Pennsylvanians with the knowledge and tools to vote with confidence. From trusted, nonpartisan resources to supporting election officials and poll workers, we worked to safeguard democracy at every level and ensure every voice was heard.
23,900+
Voters Reached
Seventy’s Interactive Voter Guide is the cornerstone of our election program. Tens of thousands of voters across the commonwealth relied on this guide to research candidates, make a plan to vote, create and share sample ballots, find polling places, and check their voter registration status.
STORIES
“The Committee of Seventy continues to be an integral partner in ensuring our elections are well-run and responsive to the citizens of Philadelphia. In 2024, the Committee of Seventy was able to use its strong relationships with the public and local media to build trust in our elections, something we’ve desperately needed over the past four years.
I’m grateful in particular for the commitment the Committee of Seventy has made to helping Philadelphia have fully staffed and prepared Boards of Elections. Without this work, our elections would not have been as successful as they were.”
Seth Bluestein, Philadelphia City Commissioner
C70 voter engagement and election activities with PA Youth Vote, the City Commissioners, and Satellite Election Offices. ↓
Empowering Future Voters
In partnership with schools and teachers across Pennsylvania, we reached a record-breaking 23,000 students this year with civics programming that sparked thoughtful discussions about democracy and community.
Sixers join C70 at a 7th District Satellite Election Office pop-up event; PA Youth Vote rally; Election Day activation with Taller Puertorriqueño at Bright Hope Baptist Church.
Can We Talk?
The Committee of Seventy’s Can We Talk? curriculum really opened my students’ eyes to how much incomplete or misleading information they encounter every day—whether it’s on social media, in debates, or even personal conversations. It was great to see them start to connect that to the importance of asking questions and really listening to understand.
It also fostered incredible self-reflection among my students. They openly acknowledged bad habits like interrupting, one-upping, and not truly listening. What stood out was their recognition that they often listen worse to those they’re most comfortable with, often interrupting or jumping to conclusions, and how that impacts meaningful conversations.
One of the most profound discussions was about the ‘kid vs. adult table’ at holidays, and how not feeling heard as children shaped their confidence in using their voices. It was inspiring to see them recognize the importance of creating space for all voices and the value of disagreeing respectfully—skills they felt were absent in political discussions and social media interactions today.
—Kathy, Biglerville High School in Adams County
Can We Talk? Student Evaluation Responses
83%
Connected with people holding different perspectives.
94%
RESPONSES
Felt comfortable sharing their own perspective.
74%
Improved ability to engage in productive conversations with those who think differently.
73%
Gained a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.
THE POWER OF US: CHARTING THE PATH TO A STRONGER PA
Expanding Our Social Reach
Bringing key election information to more voters
NOTICE TO CHECK MAIL-IN BALLOTS FOR ERRORS [INSTAGRAM]
LIFE CYCLE OF A MAIL-IN BALLOT [FACEBOOK]
DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE REMINDER [INSTAGRAM]
Post Reach Highlights
Lessons In Leadership Talk
This fireside chat featured Diana Cortes, Philadelphia’s first Latina city solicitor, who took the stage to share the leadership lessons and personal insights she’s gained from her groundbreaking career in public service.
“ Planning and executing this event was an incredible experience. It taught me so much—not just about leadership but also about the power of collaboration. The Buchholz Fellowship is a unique opportunity to connect with inspiring leaders, make a real impact, and build lasting relationships that will shape your career.”
Rachel
Ward, Buchholz Fellowship
Buchholz Fellow Hosted Event
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP EVENT
This event brought together women leaders from all sectors—private, public, and nonprofit—to connect, learn, and honor the renowned Leslie Anne Miller, a C70 board member and trailblazer who was the first woman to be named partner in her law firm, to be elected president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and to serve as general counsel of the commonwealth, with the Civic Leadership Award presented by Mayor Cherelle Parker.
$155K Raised
Featured Panelists
The panel featured influential women leaders who shared their journeys, discussed challenges, and offered insights on leadership, empowerment, and creating opportunities for future generations.
Rev. Bonnie Camarda, Director of Partnerships, The Salvation Army
Paige G. Cognetti, Mayor of Scranton, PA
Katherine Gilmore
Richardson, Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader
Leslie S. Richards, CEO and General Manager, SEPTA
Jen Selber, General Counsel of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Moderated by Marty Moss-Coane, Host, Executive Producer of WHYY-FM’s The Connection
Celebrating Achievements
This year, the Committee of Seventy celebrated our 120th anniversary with the “America at a Crossroads” event, featuring a thought-provoking discussion on the critical issues shaping our nation’s democracy between renowned CNN anchor and author Chris Wallace and 6abc’s Tamala Edwards.
The event provided a unique opportunity for the nearly 500 attendees from the corporate, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the future of democracy, the election process, and the state of American politics.
2024 Unsung Hero of Democracy
Seventy was proud to receive the American Bar Association’s 2024 Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award. The recognition highlights our work defending voter rights, advocating for electoral reforms, promoting transparent and accountable government, and fostering a culture of civic responsibility and democratic resilience in communities across Pennsylvania.
TEDx Dilworth Park
Committee of Seventy President and CEO Lauren Cristella spoke at TEDxDilworthPark, sharing how her work encouraging civic engagement prepared her for the challenges of becoming a foster mom and navigating the politics surrounding her family. She emphasized combating election apathy and focusing on the next thing we can do to make a difference.
PA CIVICS' FIRST EDUCATOR FORUM
In partnership with the PA Civics Coalition, Seventy hosted the PA Civics Educator Forum, bringing together over 60 educators from across the commonwealth for hands-on training to bring nonpartisan civics education to K-12 classrooms.
Keynote speakers
Shannon Salter and former Congressman Jim Gerlach inspired attendees with their insights on shaping the next generation of democracy advocates.
“Committee of Seventy has been an essential partner in our journey, helping us connect with teachers, build resources, and create a unified vision for civics education across Pennsylvania. Together, we are going beyond the requirements of Act 35 to truly meet the diverse needs of schools and communities statewide.”
Former Congressman Jim Gerlach, co-chair of PA Civics
Community Advisory Council Voices
In this age of electronic communication, there’s this idea that sending emails or having a ton of followers means you’ve got your finger on the pulse. But that’s not always true. Person-toperson connections matter—a lot.
The Committee of Seventy knows that real civic engagement happens when you connect with people at every level, whether it’s through grassroots efforts like organizing food drives outside satellite election offices, or strategic conversations with grasstops community leaders. Seventy’s Community Council is like a vehicle—it’s not static or something you only use during formal meetings. It’s a tool for fostering ongoing communication and relationships. It ensures engagement is continuous, not just occasional. The Committee of Seventy’s best work is still to come. As they continue to combat misinformation and foster meaningful civic involvement, not just during elections—but year-round action.
–Will Gonzalez
Funder Spotlight
Seventy received an $800,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation, marking the largest grant in Seventy’s history. With this support, we strengthened trust in Pennsylvania elections through improved election administration, voter education, and outreach to future voters.
“A strong and healthy democracy requires all of us, and we are grateful to the Committee of Seventy for its work to increase understanding of and participation in elections so that more voices can be heard,” said Shawn McCaney, Executive Director of the William Penn Foundation.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
Shania Bennett, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement
Andre Del Valle, Vice President of Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Apartment Association
Will Gonzalez, Executive Director, CEIBA
Jude Husein, Deputy Executive Director, BOLT
Christopher R. Rogers, PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor, Haverford College; Lead, We Win From Within, LLC; and Research Fellowship, The Center for the Preservation of Civil Rights Sites
Andy Toy, Policy Director, PACDC
Our Newest WeVote Partners
We’re proud to welcome these incredible organizations to the WeVote coalition:
WeVote Partners (continued)
East Falls Development Corp
Eastern State Penitentiary
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
ESI Consult
EXYN Technologies
EY
Fairmount Community Development Corporation
FHLBank Pittsburgh
Firstrust Bank
Fitler Club
Fleisher Art Memorial
Forum of Executive Women
Foundation for Delaware County
Free Library of Philadelphia
Friends Center
Friends Childcare Center
Freire Charter Schools
Gerber Tax
Gift of Life
Glenmede
Global Citizen
Global Leadership Academies
Governor's Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (GACAPAA)
Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership
Greenberg Traurig
Habitat for Humanity Hapco
Heinz History Center
Holy Family University
Hope PHL
Horizon House
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Business Alliance
Institute for Community Justice
Jeffery A Miller (JAM) catering
Jevs
Junior Achievement Kleinbard LLC
Kline School of Law at Drexel
KYW Newsradio
La Salle University
LGBTQ Bar Association
Lincoln University
Lindley Academy Charter School
Locals Coffee
Lower North Philadelphia
CDC
Lutheran Settlement House
Main Line Health
Mastery Charter School
Mastery Parent Action Network
Mercury Public Affairs LLC
Mighty Writers