We are the Ad Council.
Together with our partners, we show up every day to open hearts, inspire action and accelerate change.
The Ad Council is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit that uses the power of communications to build social-impact campaigns addressing many of America’s most pressing issues at scale.
We believe in fostering a society where everyone can thrive — and we believe the best way to do this is through the power of partnership. Even in the face of the most difficult challenges, when we work together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of people.
Our Causes
We have two dozen campaigns addressing community and opportunity, early detection and preventive health, gun violence, mental health, and safety.
The Power of Partnership
Our one-of-a-kind model leverages the power of partnership to create exponential impact at scale. Here’s how we do it—together.
Our Latest Annual Report
Our 2026 Annual Report is here! Check out what we’ve been up to and the impact we’ve generated alongside our incredible partners.
What Makes an Ad Council Campaign?
First and most importantly, we ask ourselves: Can we make a difference? An issue the Ad Council takes on is one that we can meaningfully address through the power of communications — and the power of partnership.
Here are the five factors we consider:
Here are the five factors we consider:
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It's Nonpartisan
- We are nondenominational and nonpartisan, and we don't lobby or influence legislation. Our focus is on culture, not policy.
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It's National
- An Ad Council issue is national in scope, with a message that’s relevant to communities across the country.
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It's Crucial
- A cause is the right fit for the Ad Council when it can be meaningfully supported by media resources from our partners to drive the impact we seek.
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It's Measurable
- We track the results to quantify real change.
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It's Actionable
- We don’t just spotlight an issue — we show people direct actions they can take immediately.
THE LATEST NEWS & INSIGHTS
With inspiring year-round campaigns, a compelling blog and original reports from the Ad Council Research Institute, we’ve always got news to share and insights to explore!
From The Blog
Cannes Lions 2026: A Deeper Look into Where We Are Headed
We spoke with some of the Ad Council’s leadership to hear how their takeaways from Cannes Lions are shaping where we go next.
Latest Press Release
General Motors CEO Mary Barra to be Honored at the Ad Council’s 72nd Annual Public Service Award Dinner
Barra will receive the Award for Public Service in recognition of her transformational leadership and General Motor’s longstanding commitment to social impact.
New Research
Calibrating Trustworthiness in GenAI
GenAI is no longer a new tool, and user adoption continues to increase year over year. The Ad Council Research Institute (ACRI), in partnership with Google, set out to understand what the American public knows and feels about GenAI in 2025.Our History/About
Our History
For more than 80 years, the Ad Council has been behind many of the most iconic campaigns in American history — from “A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste” to “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk” and the one and only Smokey Bear.
Learn more about our founding and notable moments throughout our history.
Learn more about our founding and notable moments throughout our history.
Donate to The Ad Council
Real change begins together. Join our partners, donors, and supporters who believe in using communication to open hearts and inspire action. Make a difference now.