Advocate for kids
For more than a decade, 50CAN has run local advocacy campaigns in 17 states, achieving over 235 policy victories that collectively reach more than 1 in 6 American students.
Believe in Better
The local advocacy campaigns across the 50CAN network are based in states all across the country, from Hawaii to Georgia, and Connecticut to Louisiana. Despite the differences in local contexts, our campaigns are united in working to deliver on 5 promises to America’s children:
The education that’s right for you.
Tutoring and care for every student.
A world of open and connected learning.
A family’s right to know what’s working.
A clear path to the career you choose.
Explore & Join our Local Advocacy Campaigns
GeorgiaCAN
Michael O'Sullivan, Executive Director
GeorgiaCAN seeks to identify and advance common-sense policies that put the needs of students first. We engage local stakeholders—from community members to policy makers—to advocate for student success throughout the entire public education system.
Louisiana Kids Matter Campaign
Kelli Bottger, Executive Director
Louisiana Kids Matter Campaign was created to ensure every student in Louisiana receives a high-quality education regardless of their zip code.
CarolinaCAN
Marcus Brandon, Executive Director
NorthCarolinaCAN advocates for the success of every North Carolina student, from pre-K through college and career. We improve policy to help all students thrive and share promising practices and stories to demonstrate that all kids CAN succeed.
TennesseeCAN
TennesseeCAN empowers local stakeholders—from community members to policymakers—to advocate for improved K-12 education policies that put Tennessee children first. Together, we are working to ensure students have access to high-quality schools, teachers and resources that prioritize their unique educational talents and needs.
JerseyCAN
Paula White, Executive Director
JerseyCAN believes that all families must have access to high-quality schools and that students need continuous support with appropriate resources and excellent teaching, regardless of their zip code, cultural background or socioeconomic status.
ConnCAN
Steven Hernández, Esq., Executive Director
ConnCAN is leading a movement to improve education outcomes for Connecticut’s kids. We bring advocates, policymakers, parents and educators together to give all kids access to the great public schools they deserve.
DelawareKidsCAN
Britney Mumford, Executive Director
We believe it will take a community of advocates pushing the system to make sure all schools help kids achieve their potential. And we believe Delaware needs to act NOW to create the type of education system students deserve.
HawaiiKidsCAN
David Sun-Miyashiro, Executive Director
HawaiiKidsCAN will empower communities with accessible information about our schools, and help elevate their voices and concerns to build the conditions for all students in Hawaii to thrive.
Transform Education Now (TEN)
Nicholas Martinez, Executive Director
TEN will empower communities with accessible information about our schools, and help elevate their voices and concerns to build the conditions for all students in Colorado to thrive.
NewMexicoKidsCAN
Amanda Aragon, Executive Director
NewMexicoKidsCAN serves as a catalyst and conduit to advocate for community-informed, student-centered and research-backed education policies that work best for the children of New Mexico. By connecting policy, instructional practice and politics, we reimagine what is possible in New Mexico’s public education system.
Our Teams
50CAN is, ultimately, about people. We are working to build an organization where talented advocates are able to do the best work of their lives in a culture that supports and sustains them.
Marc Porter Magee
Founder & CEO
Derrell Bradford
President
Jonathan Nikkila
Executive Vice President
Amanda Aragon
Executive Director, NewMexicoKidsCAN
Steven Hernández, Esq.
Executive Director, ConnCAN
David Sun-Miyashiro
Executive Director, HawaiiKidsCAN
Paula White
Executive Director, JerseyCAN
Britney Mumford
Executive Director, DelawareCAN
Hamish MacPhail
Interem Executive Director, ConnCAN
Michael O’Sullivan
Executive Director, GeorgiaCAN
Nicholas Martinez
Executive Director, TEN, Denver
Marcus Brandon
Executive Director, CarolinaCAN
Kelli Bottger
Executive Director, Louisiana Kids Matter Campaign
Chelsea Crawford
Executive Director, TennesseeCAN
Our Policy Wins
Each year, we change or pass dozens of laws to meet the needs of students and families. Read about our latest victories:
Learn about Policy Wins as they happen. Stay up to date and subscribe to the New Reality Roundup.
We believe that the world and country will be a better place with more effective advocates. For that reason, we’re committed to sharing everything we learn about the tactics that achieve results. Whether you’re a new, aspiring or seasoned advocate, we invite you to learn alongside us.
AdvocacyLabs
In partnership with FutureEd and Georgetown University, 50CAN’s CEO Marc Porter Magee analyzes what social science research tells us about effective advocacy campaigns. Explore what science tells us about how to change the world:
Be The Change
Interested in starting a CAN?
For a state to build the education system of the future, they need effective advocates to listen to families, spur innovations and inform legislation. Interested in starting a CAN campaign in your own state?
We’ve found that enduring education advocacy campaigns have three foundational factors in place:
A first-in-class advocate who understands our education system and the statehouse.
Local funding partners who are committed to supporting long-term advocacy work.
A strong advisory board, to provide guidance and accountability.
If you think there’s momentum for each of these factors to be in place in your state, we’d love to set up a conversation. Inquiries are accepted on a rolling basis, with review and response windows in May, July and October.