What is Creative Cabinet?
Creative Cabinet (formerly Civic Power of Change) connects progressive candidates running for local and state office with a national network of volunteer marketing and creative professionals, who donate their time to deliver agency-quality work pro bono. Founded in 2017 and fully volunteer-run, the organization has supported over 300 candidates in 48 states (incl. DC).
It is not a cabinetry or furniture company. “Cabinet” here means a group of advisors.
By the numbers
- Over 300 candidates served since 2018
- Candidates supported in 48 states (incl. DC)
- 500+ creative professionals who have signed up to volunteer
What Creative Cabinet does
Most people who run for school board, city council or county office have no campaign budget and no marketing team. Creative Cabinet matches those candidates with working professionals in design, writing, strategy, video and communications who volunteer to build what a campaign needs:
- messaging and a campaign story
- logos and branding
- websites
- social media graphics
- copywriting
- print pieces like walk cards and mailers
Volunteers donate their time. Campaigns cover their own hard costs, such as printing and advertising.
Why local races
Most local elections aren’t competitive, because nobody runs. In 2024, 70% of the nearly 77,000 elections Ballotpedia tracked were uncontested, the highest rate since it began tracking.
That’s the gap Creative Cabinet works in. Xander Orenstein took on a Pittsburgh judge who had run unopposed for roughly a decade. Orenstein won by about 40 votes and is Pennsylvania’s first openly nonbinary judicial officeholder.
And local seats are where future state leaders start. Lisa Feret came to Civic Power of Change as a first-time Arvada City Council candidate in 2021, then won a Colorado House seat in 2024, one that opened because Lindsey Daugherty, another candidate Creative Cabinet supported, was running for higher office.
Who it serves
Progressive candidates for local and state office, many of them running for the first time. Candidates the organization has supported include:
- John Fredrickson won Nebraska’s Legislative District 20 by 82 votes, flipping a seat Republicans had held for eight years, and became the first openly gay man elected to the Unicameral.
- Ruwa Romman‘s campaign, which Civic Power of Change advised, flipped a Republican seat and made her the first Muslim woman elected to the Georgia House.
- Nantasha Williams is now Deputy Speaker of the New York City Council, and Melissa Cheatham is President of the Overland Park City Council.
Who does the work
500+ creative professionals have signed up to volunteer. Volunteers have worked for agencies and companies including Omnicom, Publicis, Edelman, Disney, DreamWorks and Netflix, and include WGA members and people who have worked for Congress and national campaigns.
Executive Director Jennie Palluzzi leads the organization.
Is Creative Cabinet legitimate?
Yes. It is a federal political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission under committee ID C00913772. Its filings are public on the FEC’s website. Contributions to it are not tax-deductible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Creative Cabinet the same organization as Civic Power of Change?
Yes. Civic Power of Change is now Creative Cabinet. Old civicpowerofchange.com links redirect to the matching page on creativecabinet.org.
Does it cost candidates anything?
No. Volunteers donate their time. Campaigns pay only their own hard costs, like printing and ads.
Which candidates can get help?
Progressive candidates for local and state office. Apply at creativecabinet.org/candidate-sign-up.
How do I volunteer?
Sign up at creativecabinet.org/volunteer-sign-up. See also: How creative professionals can volunteer for political campaigns.
Is Creative Cabinet a PAC?
It is a federal political committee registered with the FEC (ID C00913772). Contributions are not tax-deductible.
Last updated November 3, 2026
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