Common Sense Media

Tax-deductible

San Francisco, CA501(c)(3)Since 2003Arts & CultureEIN 41-2024986Revenue $38.0M in FY2024

On file with the IRScommonsense.org699 8th Street Suite C150, 94103-4901 · San Francisco, CATax-exempt since Jul 2002Publicly supported charity — 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)

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Dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of Media and technology. We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of Media and technology as a positive force in all kids' lives.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
72¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 90 volunteers and 186 employees.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

Before you give

FY2024 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2024
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2024, 2 tax years back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
2 of 5
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $1.0M a year · 3% of revenue · last 5 filings
Worth a look: a surplus in 2 of the last 5 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 5 filings
Spent on programs
72%
of spending
Fine: 72% of spending went to programs; 65% to 75%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$3.8M
to officers and key staff · 9% of spending
Top officer’s pay higher than 85% of similar orgs
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 9% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
Cash reserves
<1 mo
of spending, in cash
Worth a look: 0.7 months of spending in cash; under 1.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
1
named funder · $450K
Fine: 1 funder names it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$9.3M
25% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 25% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
24
of 25 voting members
Looks good: 24 of 25 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$38.0M
+12% vs prior year
Spent
$43.6M
To programs
72%
Net assets
$28.2M
By yearFY2020–FY2024
Revenue
$38.0M
FY2024▲ +12%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$25.4M
FY2021$41.9M
FY2022$24.6M
FY2023$34.0M
FY2024$38.0M
Expenses
$43.6M
FY2024▲ +43%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$25.4M
FY2021$28.1M
FY2022$31.2M
FY2023$30.4M
FY2024$43.6M
Net assets
$28.2M
FY2024▼ -17%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$23.0M
FY2021$36.8M
FY2022$30.2M
FY2023$33.8M
FY2024$28.2M

From the FY2024 Form 990 · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2024. IRS ruling in Jul 2002.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

72 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 72% · $31.5M Management & general 21% · $9.3M Fundraising 6% · $2.8M

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

37 people listed on the 990; $3.8M paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation
$582,702Pt VII · Sec A
President
$407,962Pt VII · Sec A
Vice President of Product
$378,351Pt VII · Sec A
$296,882Pt VII · Sec A
Principal Engineer
$283,607Pt VII · Sec A
Senior Counsel, Head of Privacy
$246,430Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Program Officer
$244,533Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Content Officer
$243,991Pt VII · Sec A

Jim Steyer’s $583K as CEO is at the 85th percentile of top reported officer pay among 749 $10–100M arts & culture nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Jim Steyer$582,702$580,014———
James Steyer——$578,616——
James P Steyer———$546,642$521,642
Ellen Pack$407,962$349,856$343,307$325,840$310,600
Amy Brotman$378,351—$183,852$176,390—
Linda Burch—$189,296$332,650——
Linda M Burch———$318,409$298,409
David Kuizenga$296,882$270,299$270,514$276,385$251,385

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Provides unbiased reviews, advice, and educational curricula to help parents and teachers guide children safely and successfully through the digital world.

Questions for Common Sense Media

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $30.7M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

Rate

Common sense media rates movies, TV shows, podcasts, books, and more so families can feel good about the entertainment choices they make for their kids. We offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews.

$15.3Mprogram expense
02

Advocate

Common sense works with policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and a grassroots community of concerned parents, teachers and organizations to help ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in our digital world.

$12.0Mprogram expense
03

Educate

Common sense education supports k12 schools with everything educators need to empower the next generation of digital citizens. Our innovative, award-winning digital citizenship curriculum prepares students with lifelong habits and skills, supports teachers with training and recognition, and engages families and communities with helpful…

$3.4Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 1 funder$450K
Grants paid · 4 grants · $638K · 2021–2024

By the numbers

The FY2024 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$38.0M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$24.7M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$12.9M
Investment incomeLn 3$735K
Money outPt IX
$43.6M
Ln 25
Programscol B$31.5M
Managementcol C$9.3M
Fundraisingcol D$2.8M
Owns and owesPt X
$28.2M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$2.6M
Total assetsLn 16$37.4M
LiabilitiesLn 26$9.3M
PeoplePt VI, VII
37
listed · VII A
PaidVII A13
Voting boardVI 1a25
IndependentVI 1b24
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$24.7M
Government grantsLn 1e$20K
Noncash giftsLn 1g$13.1M
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$2.6M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$12.9M
Investment incomeLn 3$735K
Gains on assetsLn 7$10K
Total revenueLn 12$38.0M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$2.5M
SavingsLn 2$119K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$2.6M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$18.4M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$1.6M
Other assetsLn 15$5.8M
Total assetsLn 16$37.4M
LiabilitiesLn 26$9.3M
Net assetsLn 32$28.2M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 5186
VolunteersI 690
Fiscal year endsHeaderDecember
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY24End FY24
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$4.2M$2.6M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$16.8M$18.4M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$2.3M$1.6M
Total assetsLn 16$44.3M$37.4M
LiabilitiesLn 26$10.6M$9.3M
Net assetsLn 32$33.8M$28.2M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$147K$147K
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$3.0M$1.6M$1.4M
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$14.5M$10.5M$2.3M$1.7M
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$456K$320K$68K$68K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$2.2M$1.5M$329K$295K
Payroll taxesLn 10$1.2M$884K$231K$126K
Legal feesLn 11b$97K$36K$61K$46
Accounting feesLn 11c$270K$270K
Lobbying feesLn 11d$293K$293K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$4.4M$3.9M$286K$259K
Office expensesLn 13$2.7M$191K$2.4M$70K
Information technologyLn 14$530K$530K
OccupancyLn 16$1.3M$1.0M$181K$134K
TravelLn 17$804K$334K$379K$91K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$39K$23K$15K$725
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$740K$719K$11K$10K
InsuranceLn 23$189K$146K$23K$20K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$10.1M$9.2M$842K$41K
All other expensesLn 24e$588K$137K$451K$62
Total functional expensesLn 25$43.6M$31.5M$9.3M$2.8M

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2024 Latest Viewing $38.0M$43.6M−$5.6M$28.2M 990 PDF
FY2023 $34.0M$30.4M$3.6M$33.8M 990 PDF
FY2022 $24.6M$31.2M−$6.6M$30.2M 990 PDF
FY2021 $41.9M$28.1M$13.8M$36.8M 990 PDF
FY2020 $25.4M$25.4M−$22K$23.0M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs I · Grants R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons A · Public support F · Foreign M · Noncash
See the full FY2024 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $37,978,651 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $21,664,574$24,672,601
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $12,135,470$12,856,927
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $667,890$735,394
I-11 Other revenuePrior year −$476,345−$286,271
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $33,991,589$37,978,651
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $137,000$146,750
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $20,958,791$21,396,068
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $9,337,232$22,032,069
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $30,433,023$43,574,887
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $3,558,566−$5,596,236
Part VI · Governance 24 of 25 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body25
VI-1b Independent voting members24
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $37,978,651 across 11 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$2,596,864
VIII-1e Government grants$20,285
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$22,055,452
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$13,149,603
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$24,672,601
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $12,856,927$12,856,927
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $725,253$725,253
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $10,141$10,141
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$347,043−$347,043
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Excluded from tax $60,772$60,772
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $12,856,927 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $449,123$37,978,651
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $43,574,887 across 19 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $146,750$146,750
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $1,591,526 · Management $1,434,702$3,026,228
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $10,475,851 · Management $2,341,560 · Fundraising $1,696,624$14,514,035
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $319,737 · Management $68,055 · Fundraising $67,966$455,758
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $1,535,373 · Management $328,754 · Fundraising $294,585$2,158,712
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $884,175 · Management $230,856 · Fundraising $126,304$1,241,335
IX-11b Legal feesPrograms $35,603 · Management $61,372 · Fundraising $46$97,021
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $270,375$270,375
IX-11d Lobbying feesPrograms $293,006$293,006
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $3,856,736 · Management $286,318 · Fundraising $258,900$4,401,954
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $191,229 · Management $2,390,724 · Fundraising $69,715$2,651,668
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $529,749$529,749
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $1,016,810 · Management $180,618 · Fundraising $134,231$1,331,659
IX-17 TravelPrograms $333,685 · Management $379,090 · Fundraising $90,880$803,655
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $23,101 · Management $15,205 · Fundraising $725$39,031
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $719,243 · Management $11,001 · Fundraising $9,534$739,778
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $146,205 · Management $22,819 · Fundraising $19,776$188,800
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $9,214,655 · Management $842,371 · Fundraising $40,516$10,097,542
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $136,653 · Management $451,116 · Fundraising $62$587,831
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $31,450,087 · Management $9,314,936 · Fundraising $2,809,864$43,574,887
Part X · Balance sheet $37,422,721 assets, 17 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $4,116,055$2,527,017
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $114,092$118,710
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $6,299,194$3,360,350
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $6,096,270$4,911,377
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $1,650,919$650,389
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $2,317,492$1,577,711
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $16,804,764$18,447,070
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $6,908,340$5,830,097
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $44,307,126$37,422,721
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $1,877,394$1,323,985
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $1,046,389$1,412,949
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $7,626,533$6,529,986
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $10,550,316$9,266,920
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $19,484,597$17,475,341
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $14,272,213$10,680,460
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $33,756,810$28,155,801
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $44,307,126$37,422,721
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $28,155,801 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$37,978,651
XI-2 Total expenses$43,574,887
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$5,596,236
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$33,756,810
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments−$3
XI-8 Prior period adjustments−$4,770
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$28,155,801

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2024 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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