Advocate for the public interest

Iowa PIRG is an advocate for the public interest. We speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good.

The problems we address aren’t progressive or conservative — they’re just problems that no one should tolerate in an age of great abundance and technological progress. That’s why, with your help, we’re working to find common ground around commonsense ideas.

PRIORITIES

Livestock producers are routinely giving antibiotics to animals to help them survive crowded, stressful and unsanitary conditions on factory farms. But overusing these drugs — in humans or animals — breeds antibiotic resistance, threatening the future effectiveness of these medicines and putting our health at risk. We’re calling on major fast food chains to influence the industry by committing to stop buying meat raised on routine, medically important antibiotics. More.

PRIORITIES

For more than 40 years, our team has been educating consumers about how to protect themselves and their rights. We work to get dangerous products off store shelves, to end exploitive practices, and to ensure a level playing field in the market place. Right now, our Watchdog team is focused on consumer threats from data breaches to dangerous toys. More.

PRIORITIES

Nothing we use for a few minutes should threaten our health and pollute our future for hundreds of years. That’s why we’re working to move our state beyond single-use plastics — the cups, containers, bags and more that we use once and throw away — by getting rid of the most harmful waste, and stopping the use of things we don’t truly need. More.

PRIORITIES

Americans throw out 416,000 cell phones per day, and only 15 to 20 percent of electronic waste is recycled. Yet, companies intentionally make things harder to repair so we can keep things in use and reduce waste. We're backing reforms to give you what you need to fix your stuff. More.

PRIORITIES

Pollution from cars, trucks and other vehicles damages our health and contributes to global warming. We are working to get lots more electric cars on the road, shift to all electric buses, improve transit and make cities better for walking and biking so we can drive less and live more. More.

PRIORITIES

For decades, our Consumer Watchdog team has conducted independent testing and research, and alerted consumers to problems. We’ve worked to strengthen rules protecting consumers, get unsafe products off the market, and provide resources so consumers can protect themselves. More.

Previous
Email
Next

We can't do it without you.

Our mission is to champion the public interest — to speak out for healthier, safer, more secure lives for all of us.

Our approach

In each of our campaigns, we aim to:

Put us on a path to a better future. We value ideas and policies that both improve the quality of our lives now and put us on a path to a better future.

Focus on concrete change. We share a bold vision, but understand that change comes one step at a time. Our focus is on making a difference for the public, not just making a statement.

Figure out what works. We’ve successfully advocated for changes that have resulted in more recycling and less waste, healthier and safer choices in the marketplace, and greater accountability in government. We have a 45-plus year track record of figuring out solutions that will work and advocating for them until we get results.

Find common ground. Even in this deeply divided moment, all Americans want a healthier, safer, more secure future. Our advocates in Washington, D.C., seek out common ground and work with members of Congress from both parties. Our advocates here in Iowa with our partners across the country build coalitions that include people from all walks of life. Together, our organizers and canvassers engage hundreds of thousands of our members and activists in all 50 states.

Faye Park, president of our national federation, talks about hazards in children's makeup.

CBSN

Our staff

Our team of researchers uncovers the facts; our staff bring our findings to the public, through the media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates bring the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers. Learn more about our staff.

Contact us
Media inquiries

Our network

Iowa PIRG is an independent, state-based, citizen-funded organization and is a member of PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups.

Since 1970, state PIRGs have delivered results-oriented citizen activism, stood up to powerful special interests, and used the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation to win real results on issues that matter.

Across the country, state PIRGs employ close to 400 organizers, policy analysts, scientists and attorneys, with a federal lobby office in Washington, D.C. On national issues, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact.

Iowa PIRG is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to getting things done.

OUR AFFILIATES

Iowa PIRG Education Fund

Iowa PIRG Education Fund, our sister 501(c)(3) organization, works to protect consumers and promote good government. Iowa PIRG Education Fund investigates problems, crafts solutions, educates the public and offers meaningful opportunities for civic participation.

Learn More

Top photos: (clockwise from top left) Ty Acierto / Prudence Photography, CBS, staff photo, Metroid Video, Athelston Rogers Photography, staff, CSPAN.