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 Jeff S. Merritt, PresidentJeff S. Merritt is the founder of Grassroots Initiative. Mr. Merritt is a seasoned expert in the design and implementation of citizen mobilization and empowerment programs. He also specializes in political consulting, with an emphasis on ballot access, micro-targeting and campaign communications. Mr. Merritt's experience base includes more than a decade of on-the-ground leadership, working with community initiatives and grassroots organizing efforts to develop and enhance modes for local-level political participation and civic engagement in the US and abroad. Prior to the launch of Grassroots Initiative, Mr. Merritt served as the Executive Director of the Center for Civic Responsibility from 2003-2005. At the Center for Civic Responsibility, he lead the development of a statewide civics education curriculum for high school students and adults. His work helped drastically increase the organization's program capacity and offerings, reaching over 2,000 adults and youth in the first year. Mr. Merritt has also worked with the U.S. Department of State and USAID-funded democratization programs in Croatia, Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and East Timor. In addition, he has led political outreach and community-based initiatives in New York, New Jersey, Michigan and California. As a technical consultant, Mr. Merritt has supported a wide variety of governmental and non-governmental actors, from multi-million dollar international entities like the International Organization for Migration and Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to small community-based organizations. He has authored several publications on civic identity, over 50 analytical pieces and reports for the U.S. Department of State, and is a contributing author of the book, Transacting Transition: The Micropolitics of Democracy Assistance in the Former Yugoslavia" (Kumarian Press, 2006). Mr. Merritt holds a Master's degree in Economic and Political Development from Columbia University and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan. ContactPhone: (212) 400-0531 |
