WASHINGTON – Workers in some cities and states will be getting a raise next week as annual minimum wage increases go into effect around the country. In states and cities that have passed significant minimum wage increases, some workers will receive raises of $1 an hour or more as minimum wages are phased in to […]
PEOPLE'S ACTION INSTITUTE

People’s Action Institute's mission is to advance a long-term agenda for racial, economic and gender justice by investing in powerful state and local organizations and campaigns that win real change in people’s lives.
We believe that power comes from organizing and action, so we invest in scalable base-building and leadership development, digital organizing, direct action, nonpartisan civic engagement, independent grassroots fundraising and issue campaigns that move people on their values and self-interest.
People’s Action Institute’s long-term goal is to reverse growing economic inequality by building an economy that expands opportunity for low-income families, with an emphasis on racial and gender equity.
Board of Directors:
Afúa Atta-Mensah
Ken Grossinger
Will Tanzman
Rahwa Ghirmatzion
Alejandra Gomez
Marvin Randolph
Robert Kraig
Jordan Estevão
Alyssa Aguilera
Josie Mooney
Latest From the Institute
Cook County’s $13 Minimum Wage a Huge Victory – Strong Step in the Long Journey Toward Income Equality
CHICAGO – The movement to give minimum wage workers a raise continues gaining momentum across the country, with Cook County Commissioners in Illinois Wednesday voting decisively 13-3 in favor of a $13 minimum wage. Cook County is the second most populous county in the U.S. after Los Angeles County, California. The minimum wage in Cook […]
Low Wages and Student Debt Break the Promise of Prosperity, New ‘Job Gap’ Report Says
To make ends meet, a single adult with student loan debt needs to be paid more than $17 per hour in most states, according to research by People’s Action Institute. WASHINGTON – Some 43 million people in the United States have student loan debt. Yet, that significant expense is left out of traditional cost of […]
People’s Action Institute Disappointed by Desperate Judicial Attack On CFPB’s Watchdog Authority
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled today against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in case brought by the mortgage company PHH Corp. Liz Ryan Murray, Policy Director for People’s Action Institute, issued the following statement in response: “Today, the D.C. Circuit Court joined the assault on the CFPB […]
People’s Action Institute Urges CFPB to Strengthen Payday Lending Rule on Closing Day of Public Comment Period
Washington, D.C. – Grassroots groups are making a final push for the CFPB to strengthen proposed rules for the payday lending industry on the last day public comment period that has seen a heated battle between fair lending advocates and the payday lending industry. Advocates say the proposed rule still has far too many loopholes […]