Committee of Seventy Information

The Committee of Seventy has been called a "government watchdog," "the elections people" and a "think tank." We're all three and much more. We’re a not-for-profit group that has been holding politicians’ feet to the fire since 1904. Guided by a Board of Directors made up of many of the region’s most respected business, legal and civic leaders, we hold one goal highest – to use our voice and our influence to provoke real government reform in order to attract more residents and businesses to the region. We’re fiercely non-partisan and never endorse candidates. Whether we are working quietly behind the scenes or making noise in the media and in our own “How Philly Works” reports on issues affecting Philadelphians, we’re fighting for effective and efficient government, fair elections and an honest political culture. We demystify complex issues, using language that you don’t have to be a wonk to understand. Sometimes, we take the lead and other times we join forces with other concerned organizations, but we’re always taking on tough problems that must be fixed if our region is to prosper. We fight every day to make Philadelphia a better place to live, work, and do business.