AMERICAN MAJORITY, INC.
Equip. Empower. Engage.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
As our society has polarized and digitized, we have forgotten the basic civic institutions that form the foundation of our representative republic. Often times, the only civic action Americans take is angrily blasting out messages online and perhaps voting in presidential elections, if they do anything at all. Our goal at American Majority is to help citizens learn how to effectively engage in the civic activity that made America the envy of the world.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Aileen Chuck Future Leader Training Program
Aileen Chuck was a generous and long-time supporter of AM. We are honored to bring these trainings across the country to equip conservative leaders to take charge of their communities at every level of government. The Future Leader Training Program identifies and trains candidates to run for state and local office. The American people need new leaders who care about the improvement of their communities and the welfare of their constituents. The Future Leader Training Program creates a network of organizations advancing the same goal and increasing our effectiveness and impact.
Once identified, candidates will receive exclusive and extensive access to AM's grassroots political training curriculum. These candidates and their local groups, equipped with the best campaign training available, will then be released to file and run for office, producing thousands of newly elected liberty-minded leaders from the grassroots, concerned exclusively with the well-being of their constituents.
AM Online Academy
There is a much greater demand for our in-person trainings than we have the resources to provide. In order to solve this accessibility issue, American Majority launched an online certification program that takes our most sought-after trainings and allows people to take these courses online.
Using a combination of readings, videos, quizzes, and interactive activities, this program equips new leaders across the nation to advocate for and implement conservative policies, achieving success for free markets, limited government, and personal responsibility. We offer the following online courses and continue to add to this list:
Should You Run for Office?
Effective Activism, Parts 1 & 2
Researching & Planning Your Campaign
Get Out the Vote
Campaign Finance
Communicating Effectively
Online Image Management
Advanced Messaging
Advanced Social Media
Election Integrity
Parent Control of the School Board
Our in-depth, cutting-edge courses arm you with the tools you need to win elections.
In-Person Trainings
Our in-person trainings have been the primary method by which we empower, equip, and engage conservative activists and candidates nationwide. Whether we train on campaign strategy, social media marketing, grassroots activism, or campus activism, attendees walk away with tools and actionable strategies that will enable them to impact their communities. We feature best-in-business speakers—the best and brightest in conservative politics.
AM CEO & Founder Ned Ryun said, “My hope is to start emphasizing the training, the equipping. It’s one thing to have good ideas, but unless you’re putting in place a systematic approach to action and equipping people to be successful all you are doing is having interesting conversations about good ideas.” Our trainings are designed to give them actionable tools that will enable them to become leaders in their communities
While we offer over forty courses, the grassroots organizers who request trainings select which course(s) we offer. This allows each training event to be a personalized experience, giving people in those local communities exactly what they need to be successful. Here are some of our more popular trainings:
Building a Grassroots Machine That Lasts
Social Media: How to Become the Digital Activist Every Movement Needs
Fundraising Made Easy
Say Goodbye to Clipboards: How to Run a Data and Tech-Driven Effort
Activate Your Campus
Winning Campus Elections
Webinar Series
While in-person trainings are our primary method for reaching activists nationwide, there are some individuals, whether because of their geographic location or inability to travel, who cannot receive our state-of-the-art trainings in person. Thus, American Majority offers a webinar series that provides AM’s leading-edge training in an incredibly accessible way.
Last year, our series focused on the Countdown to Election Day, since 2018 was such a critical mid-term election. This year, AM is focusing on the fundamentals of winning an election. To date, over 1,641 people have participated in our webinar series. Some of these courses include:
Planning Your Project: The Steps Needed to Win
Fast Track Your Twitter Success: Increase Your Influence Online
Crafting Your Message: The Art of Reaching the Heart
7 Grassroots Hacks You’ve Never Heard Of
Campaign in a Day
Campaign in a Day is American Majority’s most interactive campus majority training program. It puts students in a simulated campaign setting in which they are challenged to identify key issues, develop strategies to get out the vote, design campaign materials, and maintain a campaign budget. Through this innovative training, students gain the skills to be citizens who understand what it takes to effect change within their communities.
Election Integrity Training Series
American Majority has developed and implemented a comprehensive election integrity training program in response to the administration of the 2020 election. During the 2020 COVID-19 panic, changes in general election procedures included sending all voters absentee ballots, extending the early voting periods, halting witness requirements for mail-in ballots, and extending the receipt of ballots until well after Election Day.
We launched the first election integrity training to remind citizens how the country reached the current state of elections and teach them how to clean up elections, how to advocate for election law changes, and how to organize effectively. In response to their requests, we developed an Election Integrity 2.0 training to provide an action plan to change our election system, and Election Integrity 3.0 to equip activists with state-specific information to become poll workers, watchers and officials and to take action in more advanced ways to secure our elections.
Where we work
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Percent of registered voters returning their mail-in ballot
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2023, AM and affiliates conducted an absentee ballot program in Virginia and Louisiana which included early vote and absentee ballot education and direct voter contact to track returns. Goal: 80%
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our goal at American Majority is to help citizens learn how to effectively engage in the civic activity that made America the envy of the world.
In 1831, Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville journeyed to the United States of America to learn about our unique form of government, culture, and civic institutions. His tome, Democracy in America, recognized the great strengths of America, notably in our propensity to create civic associations. These associations, both formal and informal, not only contributed to create a healthy, flourishing society, but a nation that was educated and engaged with each other, especially at the local level.
Unfortunately, much of this has been lost as our civic engagement has trended towards “fast food” civics; we’ve become a culture more concerned with Twitter takedowns and fiery talking points on cable news. Citizens have become pundits, performers on a national stage, often more concerned with the national drama of the day than what their kids learned from their teachers today. This not only results in bad government, but also a growing feeling of disconnection from civic institutions and our communities.
American Majority believes meaningful, lasting civic engagement starts at state and local levels, where most actual government decisions and spending occurs. We believe that to return to a healthy civic life of association and engagement, we must train citizens and new leaders across the country to focus on the issues closest to home. We equip, empower, and engage activists and new leaders by teaching them how to organize within their community, how to effect positive change, and how students can become stewards of their campus and good citizens after graduation.
As a 501c(3) non-partisan, nonprofit, American Majority continually trains, organizes, mobilizes, and empowers new grassroots conservative leaders to bring change to their communities. In-person training events, in both small community halls and at large conferences, utilize experienced trainers and engaging activities to equip attendees with the nuts and bolts skills they need to lead in their communities.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Founded in 2008, American Majority (AM) is the most effective non-partisan training institute dedicated to recruiting and training potential citizen leaders. AM trainees have been elected to school boards, city councils, state houses, and Congress. We recognize what Alexis de Tocqueville noted so many years ago: [t]he health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens. The private citizens, as Tocqueville described them, are todays conservative leaders; AM trains them to make a difference.
While our national office is located in northern Virginia, just an hour from the nations capital, AM operates offices across the country, taking our programs and trainings and implementing them at the local level.
American Majority gives new leaders and activists the tools and technology to see the best policies adopted in the modern climate through three types of programsin-person trainings, webinars, and online certification courses.
American Majority CEO & President Ned Ryun said, Its one thing to have good ideas, but unless youre putting in place a systematic approach to action and equipping people to be successfulall were doing is having nice conversations about good ideas. Conservatives have great ideas, but we fall far behind the Left when it comes to putting those ideas into action. American Majority works to change that balance. We design our trainings to take the conservative principles of free markets, limited government, and personal responsibility and put them into action, using the proven techniques of the Left. In a sentence, American Majority uses the Lefts weapons against them to enact national, generational change.
Through these trainings, we empower, equip, and engage conservative activists and candidates nationwide. Whether we train on campaign strategy, social media marketing, grassroots activism, or campus activism, attendees walk away with tools and actionable strategies that will enable them to impact their communities.
One of American Majoritys great strengths is our robust online and social media presence. Both the national organization and our staff have built a network of fans on Facebook; followers on Twitter; and email subscribers. Additionally, American Majority regularly builds relationships with people and organizations to build coalitions in local communities across the nation.
American Majority not only encourages people to become more civically engaged and step into the public arenawe encourage the right people to do so. We want people who value traditional American principles like limited government, free markets, and personal liberty to take a stand in an effective way that brings about real change at the local, state, and national levels.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Lonny Leitner, Chief of Staff, specializes in political training, campaign management, and voter education. Lonny has been involved in political campaigns at the local level such as school board and city council races and managed federal races for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate from Florida to Washington State. Lonny also has been active on issue-based campaigns such as ballot initiatives and advised major corporations on navigating issues such as oil pipelines, agriculture, tobacco, healthcare, and law and order crime-related issues.
Matt Batzel, National Executive Director, has led trainings in more than 20 states and trained more than 13,000 conservatives. Previously, Matt served as WI Executive Director, and under his leadership, the AM-WI trained 300+ winning candidates at the state and local level, and held over 450 trainings over the past 12 years. A Wisconsin legislator recently described Matt as Wisconsin's most often quoted political analyst and he writes columns that have appeared on FOXNation, The Hill, The Federalist, Real Clear Politics, Townhall.com, AmericanGreatness.com, and in the Wisconsin State Journal.
WI Executive Director Nate Nelson has trained well over 200 conservative candidates who have gone on to win their elections. Nate has built a career shaping public policy through grassroots efforts.
MN Executive Director Jennifer DeJournett is a well-known conservative political operative and contributor to numerous campaigns offering data-driven advice regarding campaign strategy and micro-targeting, volunteer recruitment, fundraising best practices and efficient and effective campaign operations.
VA Executive Director Liz Dickinson has a background in activism, outreach, county leadership, and national security. Liz volunteered with state, local, and national campaigns to promote conservative candidates and has worked with elected officials and candidates, oversaw Election Day staffing, recruited volunteers, and worked on campaigns.
NV Executive Director Rebecca Wood jumped into politics head first and ran for Congress in Nevada. Rebecca truly has a heart for our country and the people of Nevada. She believes AM is the answer to elicit change in our nation and that AM is the missing link to train activists and recruit candidates by assisting with marketing, outreach, activism, training and public speaking.
AZ Executive Director Tracy DuCharme has worked as a senior staffer on several campaigns fighting to elect freedom-minded leaders for Congress and beyond. Tracy is an active speaker at conservative clubs, groups and organizations throughout Arizona .
NC Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse recruits and trains potential candidates and grassroots leaders. Dallas has spent two decades building and managing political and policy operations as a leader of multiple right-leaning non-profit organizations.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
AMERICAN MAJORITY NUMBERS THAT MATTER
1,212 In-person Training Events 50 States
43,663 Activists Trained 4,048 Candidates Trained
After losing both of his legs in an IED blast, Brian Mast decided that, after his recovery, he would continue his life of service by running for public office. This November, he used his AM training to win Florida’s 18th Congressional district by 40,000 votes.
After declaring her candidacy for Arizona’s State House, Maria Syms attended an AM training looking for actionable ideas to help her win. Her focus in her campaign, and now in her office, has been protecting children by implementing conservative principles.
Chris Koerber (California) won a city council seat with 1535 votes focusing primarily on a fundamental, get-out-the-vote door-knocking campaign. The second place finisher held 1290. Not only did his campaign receive the highest vote total of all three city council races, their efforts helped defeat a 20% city utility tax increase.
County Commissioner Lisa Weik (Minnesota) is currently in her sixth year on the commission board. The five-member county board sets the yearly $180 million budget and determines the annual county portion of the property tax levy. While in office, she opposed a local $0.005 sales tax increase and property tax increases, and supports rescinding a tax on transit projects.
Ted Lillie (Minnesota) won his state senate seat in 2010. While in office, Ted helped turn a $6.2 billion deficit into a surplus without raising taxes.
At age 29, State Senator Joseph Silk (Oklahoma) became the youngest member of the Oklahoma state senate. He ran a strategic grassroots campaign in 2014 and won with over 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Republican in the history of Oklahoma to represent his district.
On 9/11, Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell (Texas) was the nearest survivor to the terrorist attack on the Pentagon and received the Purple Heart. Following recovery from his horrific injuries, Birdwell returned to Texas, attended an American Majority training, and won a tough election for state senator in 2010 against the establishment favorite. Brian has supported legislation strengthening eminent domain laws protecting landowners, strengthening oversight of river authorities, and serving Texas veterans and their families.
Jill Turgeon (Virginia), Vice Chair of Loudoun County School Board slashed $13 million from the county’s exorbitant education budget. With American Majority’s training, she gained the skills she needed to carry her campaign across the finish line: “American Majority helped me by laying out the basics of what needs to be done on a campaign. They showed me anyone can do it. It’s truly a grassroots approach – American Majority is training citizens, not politicians.”
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
AMERICAN MAJORITY, INC.
Board of directorsas of 02/16/2024
Ned Ryun
American Majority, Inc.
Term: 2008 - 2024
Ned Ryun
American Majority, Inc.
Dr. Paul Bonicelli
Senator Rick Scott
Christopher Buskirk
AM Greatness
Peter Samuelson
Ardeo Education Solutions
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No