Our Values ~ Our Work

Who we are

Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN) is a grassroots public interest organization and progressive political coalition committed to creating social change in Iowa and across the nation. ICAN has united Iowa's progressives for over 30 years, and is leading efforts to change the public climate for progressive change. ICAN has nearly 40 organizational affiliates from a wide range of constituencies, including religious, community, labor, senior, family farm and environmental organizations, and over 6,000 individual members.

Our Mission

The mission of ICAN is to unite individuals, cultures, communities and organizations in Iowa around a common progressive vision where there is social, economic, racial and environmental justice for all.

Our Vision

Our vision for Iowa is that an informed, active and engaged citizenry works for true political and economic democracy. Individuals participate in decisions affecting their lives. There is social, racial, economic and environmental justice for all; all citizens are cared for and respected; and policies and decision are responsible to future generations. Public resources are committed to working for the public good, and community interests are valued over narrow economic interests.

What will it take to make that vision a reality?

ICAN uses three strategies to advance our mission and vision. First, we work on issue campaigns to win concrete changes in public policy, and we work on electoral campaigns to elect progressive leaders to public office. Second, we work to build the progressive movement by increasing the skills, capacity, diversity, strength, connections and mutual trust of progressive individuals and organizations. Third, we provide a place where progressives in Iowa can develop a shared understanding of how we view the world, what needs to change, and strategies for advancing that analysis in our work.