Blueprint NC

As they describe themselves: Blueprint North Carolina is a partnership of more than 50 different local organizations. Our goal is to influence NC state policy so that people here benefit from more progressive policies such as better access to health care, higher wages, more affordable housing, a safer, cleaner environment, and freedom from discrimination. Blueprint NC is a public charity that only engages in activities that are permissible under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Blueprint NC and the members of the coalition are strictly prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. All Blueprint activities will be strictly non-partisan. In addition, Blueprint activities will not be coordinated with any candidate, political party or other partisan entity. More here.

On the web: www.blueprintnc.org

Affiliates and brands: Blueprint aims to be a behind the scenes operator. It helps to coordinate the work of and provide support to dozens of organizations. Many of the public policy organizations that are in the Blueprint group are liberal leaning and share Z. Smith Reynolds as a common funder.

Network*: Z. Smith Reynolds

Funding: Blueprint reported raising $1.04 million in 2011. Z. Smith Reynolds gave Blueprint a two-year, $425,000 grant in 2010. 

Lobbyist: Blueprint does not have a registered lobbyists. 

Media Profile: Until relatively recently, Blueprint NC has had a nearly non-existent media profile. It's main interaction with reporters has been the distribution of a source book, which is a directory of its members. However, a recent controversy involving a memo authored by one of its partners put the group squarely in the spotlight. Although the group insists its work is nonpartisan in nature, its affiliates clearly are left-of-center groups pushing against current GOP policies. 

* Many of the public policy think tanks and advocacy groups active in North Carolina fall into one of two camps: A liberal circuit with ties to the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and a conservative circuit with ties to the John William Pope Foundation. For more, click here.