James Steyer’s Nonprofit to Ramp Up Advocacy for Kids

Common Sense Media, a California organization known for its widely read reviews and ratings of media content aimed at children, has raised $20 million to seed a major advocacy push on early education, classroom technology, and related issues, writes The Washington Post. The new effort, Common Sense Kids Action, aims “to be AARP for kids,” Common Sense founder and CEO James Steyer said, referring to the national nonprofit that represents retired people.

Mr. Steyer’s brother, hedge-fund billionaire and environmental activist Tom Steyer, is among the donors to Common Sense Kids Action, which will lobby state and federal lawmakers on education and children’s issues. James Steyer said the new group will operate similarly to the American Legislative Exchange Council, a nonprofit that crafts and promotes state-level model bills on conservative and pro-business causes.