About Us
About Us
Common Good® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit non-bank financial institution for community empowerment, regulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Departments of Public Charities, Corporations, and Revenue, by the Internal Revenue Service, and by the United States Treasury Department
We envision a society in which people gather locally to decide for themselves what their funding priorities should be, to advance a Common Good Economy. Our mission is to design and establish the framework for that new economy by integrating a fast-growing mutual credit system with traditional bank accounts, to shift power from big business and big government back to communities. This hybrid system gives today’s participants the experience of local economic sovereignty central to our vision of a Common Good Economy. As an organization and as a movement we aim to create a world where everyone has access to the resources they need, so they can contribute to their community and to the world in whatever way they choose. Common Good launched in Greenfield, Massachusetts, in 2013 and now operates in over BLANK cities within the US.
We prioritize transparency in the operations of our organization, as well as of the Common Good system. Our software, policies, finances, plans, and publicity materials are all open source. We take extraordinary measures to ensure that no one will suffer from identity theft or loss of money through their use of Common Good or their involvement with the Common Good organization.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
The CommonGood system is designed to strengthen communities by supporting organizations and initiatives that align with our mission and shared purpose.
We partner with leaders, grassroots groups, and mission-driven organizations working to expand opportunity, increase stability, and empower communities, particularly those that have faced systemic barriers to resources and access.
Our focus goes beyond addressing immediate challenges. We build sustainable systems that uplift entire communities and strengthen those who serve others.
Accessibility, responsible stewardship, and measurable impact guide our work. We have expanded online accessibility, strengthened leadership representation, and enhanced our Resource Center to provide practical tools and structured pathways for engagement.
Through initiatives like our Community Fridge Project and strategic support for fiscally sponsored organizations and business partners, we equip communities with the infrastructure, guidance, and accountability needed to grow sustainably.
CommonGood believes strong communities are built through partnership, shared responsibility, and systems designed for long-term resilience, not temporary solutions.
There are lots of great ways to contribute to Common Good:
Sign up!
The best way to support Common Good is to join us. It’s free.
Member donations
If you are a Common Good member, please click the Donate button to contribute. If you are not a member but would still like to donate, you may also click the Donate button. Donations by check can be mailed to Common Good, PO Box 21, Ashfield, MA 01330, USA. All contributions to Common Good are tax-deductible, and we very much appreciate your support.
Volunteer
Join the Common Good team! We provide training and camaraderie. Call us at +1 413-628-1723 to email us.
Privacy and Security
The Common Good system keeps your information as private and secure as possible, meeting or exceeding industry standards. All Common Good information, except for public facing details, is stored in a password protected database and is encrypted twice in the database, using 256-bit encryption — stronger protection than the industry standard. None of this information is accessible online except through a signed-in administrator account. Your private information is never revealed to any non governmental third party except with your explicit permission. As required by the Bank Secrecy Act, we retain your data for at least 5 years (highly encrypted), even if you close your account.
In any email we send you, we address you by your full name, provide your account code, and we never include a link that requires you to type your existing password.
When you make a purchase with your CGPay app, the server verifies your photo and a stored and encrypted security code, allowing the merchant to verify that you.
If you have any questions or concern about our privacy and security policies, please ask!
Board of Directors
Tenaya Taylor
Tenaya (they) is a Capital Community College graduate, rapper, artist, business
owner, writer, executive director, and founder at Nonprofit Accountability Group (NAG). NAG is an inclusive arts and social justice organization dedicated to grassroots movement building. Tenaya’s work in Greater Hartford includes housing families facing eviction, creating 3 community gardens, 100 paid internships for young people in Hartford ages 13–30, two little free food pantries, and a statewide mutual aid network for frontline communities impacted by climate change, the housing crisis, and environmental racism.
Tenaya has been an advocate for intersectional solutions on housing reform, clean energy, and abortion access at the Connecticut State Capital and Hartford City Hall.
Cynthia Jacelon
Dr. Cynthia Jacelon (she) is a Senior Advisor to the University of Massachusetts Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation. Cynthia retired as a rehabilitation clinical nurse specialist focused on promoting function in older individuals.
As a Fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and the Gerontological Society of America, she held numerous leadership roles within the profession, including President of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, Director of the PhD program, and Executive Dean at the UMASS College of Nursing, and Associate Dean of Research. Following her role as Associate Dean of Research for the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, she was Acting Co-Director for the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation. In her role as Senior Advisor to the Elaine Marieb Center, she participates in team meetings, provides grant proposal reviews, supervises students, and consults with faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students.
Rew Gordon
Rew (they) is the Founder and Previous Executive Director of Mitchell Street Arts, turned operations consultant. Mitchell Street’s mission is to promote creative abundance in Milwaukee, hosting a community makerspace, performing hall, and Artist-In-Residence program, promoting the timeless art of sharing resources to promote collective flourishing.
Rew has volunteered with Common Good on and off for half a decade as a Software Engineer and Organizer.
Graduating from Hampshire College with a focus in Education and Community Organizing in 2019, Rew served as City-wide Director of a data-driven field campaign for a Democratic Political Action Committee in 2020. Earlier (2017–2019), Rew worked as a Peer Mentor at Hampshire’s Transformative Speaking Program — working with students and professors to address classroom dynamics, prepare for presentations, and design Socratic coursework. In 2014, Rew worked as the performance department associate at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (performance department and visitor services), and in 2016 as an Associate at SALT Galata in Istanbul, Turkey.
Rew also likes to dance, read, play chess, play, nurture connection, sing, and be spontaneous.
Our Staff
Jose Cruz
Executive Director
For more than two decades, I have led nonprofit organizations and initiatives across the U.S. and internationally, strengthening operations, building teams, and supporting partners working in youth development, economic empowerment, and international work. What drew me to Common Good is its commitment to long-term sustainability, not just supporting projects, but helping organizations grow responsibly and with integrity.
Ivan Ussach
Head of Operations
As a human ecologist and educator, I continue to serve in a variety of community service roles, including director of both the Millers River Watershed Council, based in Athol, MA, and the Warwick (MA) Free Public Library. I co-founded the Rainforest Alliance in New York City, where I developed the Smart Wood Certification Program, and was a founding member of the Forest Stewardship Council. I also was a founding member of Earthlands in Petersham, MA.
Julia Clohisy
Communications & Outreach
I started working with Common Good in January 2021 as an intern and am now on staff working as Communications and Outreach Coordinator. My role with Common Good has evolved many times during my time here, allowing me to expand on my skills and foster new strengths. My work with Common Good allows me to put my creative energy into something I believe in – helping communities become more economically resilient.
William Spademan
Founder
I dream of the day when everyone has enough to eat, a comfortable home, and a sense of belonging. As a former community theater director, actor, and producer, I enjoy co-creating with the varied cast of characters working together to expedite that day through Common Good — a nonprofit Money Services Business and social change organization I founded in 2002.
Contact Us
We’re here to help! Get in touch with us for any questions, inquiries, or support.
