Public Interest Research Groups

Public Interest Research Groups (also known as PIRG) are volunteer-driven, non-profit organizations across the North American continent, originally based mostly out of University campuses, but today also having robust citizen memberships. Inspiration for PIRGs started in 1970 when public advocate Ralph Nader spoke on college campuses across the country about increasing student involvement in society. Since then, PIRGs across the U.S. have provided training, support, and opportunities for members and the public to be active citizens in their communities, while achieving concrete social change in the form of hundreds of laws and other policies won on behalf of the public interest. Their belief is that the way to create positive social change is to provide individuals with the information and tools they need to take responsibility for their lives and to participate effectively in their communities. Issues of environmental, consumer protection, political and social justice are the main targets of concern. PIRGs focus on public interest legislation, with some registered lobbying, but do not work directly on election campaigns. PIRGs have been known to run non-partisan voter drives like its most recent, The New Voters Project, in 2004, focusing on swing states like Oregon, Nevada and New Mexico.

Related Topics:
Volunteer - Non-profit organizations - North American - University - Campuses - Ralph Nader - Environmental - Consumer protection - Political - Social justice - Legislation - Election

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PIRGs rely on two innovative institution-building mechanisms: a door-to-door canvass and student government fees funded through a waivable fee. PIRGs also have set up a variety of affiliated organizations, such as a mutual fund. Internally, experienced staff tend to determine the strategies and structuring of PIRG organizations, with oversight provided by a citizen and/or student board. PIRGs are independent state-based organizations, and most of the PIRGs in the U.S. collaborate through a jointly-managed support system, with a few notable exceptions (e.g., NYPIRG).

Related Topics:
Student government - Mutual fund

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