Nicole Gaudiano

USA TODAY

Sen. Bernie Sanders began fundraising Wednesday for his new political organization, tapping supporters in an email for contributions to “continue our critical work to take back our country from the billionaire class.”

“Our Revolution,” the former Democratic presidential candidate writes, aims to bring “millions” of working and young people into the political system; recruit and support the “next generation of progressive leaders” running for office, from school board to U.S. Senate; and educate the public about “the most pressing issues confronting our nation” that he says the “corporate media” fails to emphasize.

“Our goal will be the same as in our campaign: we must work to transform American society by making our political and economic systems work for all of us, not just the 1 percent,” wrote Sanders.

The Vermont senator plans to officially launch the organization later this month with a live-streamed event, similar to his launch of a massive volunteer effort for his presidential campaign last year, said Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs. Back then, he delivered his remarks from a hot apartment in southwest Washington to more than 3,500 grassroots gatherings in homes, coffee shops and union halls in all 50 states.

Many of Sanders’ supporters were devastated last week and even walked out of Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center after the Vermont senator moved to give Hillary Clinton the party's presidential nomination by acclamation.

Sanders, in his email Wednesday, wrote that “election days come and go, but the struggle for economic, social, racial and environmental justice continues. Together, we built something special and unprecedented through our presidential campaign. Now, we are going to take the next steps for our political revolution.”

Sanders described his plans in an interview last month with USA TODAY to launch “Our Revolution” and support at least 100 candidates running for various public offices. He said his support doesn’t have to be limited to Democrats.

“If you have some strong independents who would like to run, it would be my inclination to support them,” he said.

Sanders said then that he planned to become active in Clinton’s campaign following the convention. No campaign events are scheduled yet for her or other candidates, according to Briggs.

“We just don’t have anything ready,” he said.

Along with campaigning for candidates, the Sanders team is looking into what Sanders can do for progressive ballot initiatives across the country, Briggs said. One is intended to lower prescription drug prices in California and another in Colorado calls for a single-payer health care system.

Sanders has already raised a “significant” amount through the organization’s website, Briggs said, declining to disclose the amount.

“There’s a lot of interest and support out there,” he said.