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Nonprofiteer
← COMMON SENSE MEDIA

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by COMMON SENSE MEDIA.

Totals

Total revenue
$33,991,589
Total expenses
$30,433,023
Contributions and grants received
$21,664,574
Grants paid
$137,000
Program service revenue
$12,135,470
Investment income
$667,890
Other revenue
-$476,345
Total assets, end of year
$44,307,126
Total liabilities, end of year
$10,550,316
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$33,756,810
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$22,687,736
Management and general expenses
$4,853,610
Fundraising expenses
$2,891,677
Program service expenses (Part III)
$22,687,736

Program services were 74.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $2,119,770

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $260,414

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $19,284,390

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $5,437,849

  • 2a · Program service revenue: RATE PROGRAM

    total $11,885,034 · related or exempt $11,885,034

  • 2b · Program service revenue: MEDIA EDUCATION

    total $250,436 · related or exempt $250,436

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $743,184 · excluded $743,184

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $8,783,641

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $8,858,935

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$75,294

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$75,294 · excluded -$75,294

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $64,560

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $2,119,770

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $600,914

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$536,354 · excluded -$536,354

  • 11a · Other revenue: REIMBURSEMENTS

    total $60,009 · excluded $60,009

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $60,009

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $137,000 · program services $137,000

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $2,547,036 · program services $1,051,019 · management and general $1,496,017

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $14,469,578 · program services $12,093,333 · management and general $360,858 · fundraising $2,015,387

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $470,240 · program services $342,671 · management and general $49,065 · fundraising $78,504

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $2,227,777 · program services $1,648,105 · management and general $322,114 · fundraising $257,558

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,244,160 · program services $919,129 · management and general $178,277 · fundraising $146,754

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $258,894 · program services $217,277 · management and general $41,617

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $275,996 · management and general $275,996

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $376,303 · program services $376,303

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,768,431 · program services $2,363,417 · management and general $382,051 · fundraising $22,963

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $143,238 · program services $143,238

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $351,050 · program services $140,192 · management and general $148,238 · fundraising $62,620

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $969,755 · program services $923,867 · management and general $42,310 · fundraising $3,578

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,227,052 · program services $900,196 · management and general $195,482 · fundraising $131,374

  • 17 · Travel

    total $803,001 · program services $305,766 · management and general $411,438 · fundraising $85,797

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $29,525 · program services $17,792 · management and general $6,558 · fundraising $5,175

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $250,952 · program services $228,422 · management and general $12,673 · fundraising $9,857

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $181,458 · program services $135,711 · management and general $25,318 · fundraising $20,429

  • 24a · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $1,171,513 · program services $595,459 · management and general $546,970 · fundraising $29,084

  • 24b · Other expenses: STAFF DEVELOPMENT

    total $266,181 · program services $123,111 · management and general $123,544 · fundraising $19,526

  • 24c · Other expenses: REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

    total $110,157 · program services $1,661 · management and general $108,225 · fundraising $271

  • 24d · Other expenses: STAFF RETREAT

    total $103,222 · management and general $103,222

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $50,504 · program services $24,067 · management and general $23,637 · fundraising $2,800

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $3,776,276 · end of year $4,116,055

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $111,462 · end of year $114,092

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $3,727,686 · end of year $6,299,194

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $4,991,296 · end of year $6,096,270

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $415,417 · end of year $1,650,919

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $3,198,234

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $880,742

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $613,135 · end of year $2,317,492

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $18,328,112 · end of year $16,804,764

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $833,907

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $7,979,372 · end of year $6,908,340

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,468,135 · end of year $1,877,394

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $427,500 · end of year $1,046,389

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $8,682,792 · end of year $7,626,533

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $19,807,114 · end of year $19,484,597

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $10,391,122 · end of year $14,272,213

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

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.

  • 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. OUR TIMELY PARENTING ADVICE SUPPORTS FAMILIES AS THEY NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES OF RAISING KIDS IN THE DIGITAL AGE. WE AIM TO EMPOWER FAMILIES TO MAKE INFORMED ENTERTAINMENT AND TECH CHOICES THAT FIT THEIR KIDS BEST.

    Expenses $10,590,651 · Revenue $11,885,034

  • 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 TIPS AND TOOLS. SCHOOLS EVERYWHERE RELY ON OUR FREE CURRICULUM, EXPERT ADVICE, AND EDTECH RATINGS TO HELP KIDS THRIVE. OUR VISION: STUDENTS THRIVING AS LEARNERS, LEADERS, AND CITIZENS IN THE DIGITAL AGE.

    Expenses $7,550,715 · Grants $133,373 · Revenue $250,436

  • 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. WE FOCUS ON EFFORTS THAT SUPPORT 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS, DIGITAL EQUITY, AND A POSITIVE MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY WORLD FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILIES.

    Expenses $3,708,923 · Grants $3,627

  • RESEARCH: THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS INDEPENDENT GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH TO ADDRESS THE KEY QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE IMPACT OF MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES' LIVES, HELPING TO SHAPE THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE, AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERALL FIELD BY PROVIDING A BODY OF RESEARCH FOR OTHER RESEARCHERS, INSTITUTIONS, AND POLICYMAKERS TO BUILD ON AS WELL AS INFORMING ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS.

    Expenses $837,447

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • JIM STEYER

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $603,671
    From this org
    $580,014
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,657
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $380,014
    Bonus
    $200,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,657
    Filer's total
    $603,671

  • ELLEN PACK

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $376,682
    From this org
    $349,856
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,826
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $319,856
    Bonus
    $30,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $12,954
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,872
    Filer's total
    $376,682

  • DAVID KUIZENGA

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $304,519
    From this org
    $270,299
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,220
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $245,299
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,563
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,657
    Filer's total
    $304,519

  • DANNY WEISS

    CHIEF ADVOCACY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $271,883
    From this org
    $251,418
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,465
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $226,418
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,137
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,328
    Filer's total
    $271,883

  • OMAR KHAN

    CHIEF PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $267,532
    From this org
    $257,231
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,301
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $257,231
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,253
    Nontaxable benefits
    $48
    Filer's total
    $267,532

  • JILL MURPHY

    CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $256,185
    From this org
    $223,458
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,727
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $223,458
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,070
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,657
    Filer's total
    $256,185

  • YVETTE RENTERIA

    CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $255,419
    From this org
    $237,697
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,722
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $237,697
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,568
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,154
    Filer's total
    $255,419

  • JAMES KLEVEN

    VICE PRESIDENT, PEOPLE OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $237,791
    From this org
    $221,139
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,652
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $221,139
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,014
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,638
    Filer's total
    $237,791

  • RHIANWEN KYSER

    VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $226,316
    From this org
    $205,357
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,959
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $200,357
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,218
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,741
    Filer's total
    $226,316

  • JASON MAYMON

    VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMM.

    Total calculated
    $217,653
    From this org
    $198,026
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,627
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $198,026
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,375
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,252
    Filer's total
    $217,653

  • KEVIN DIUBALDO

    CONTROLLER

    Total calculated
    $213,846
    From this org
    $205,629
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,217
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $205,629
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,217
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $213,846

  • LINDA BURCH

    CDO (UNTIL 09/23) DIR. (START 10/23)

    Total calculated
    $211,145
    From this org
    $189,296
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,849
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,296
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,413
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,436
    Filer's total
    $211,145

  • SARA EGOZI

    HEAD OF GLOBAL STRATEGY & POLICY

    Total calculated
    $206,279
    From this org
    $198,125
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,154
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $198,125
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,154
    Filer's total
    $206,279

  • SUSAN SACHS

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REVETA BOWERS

    CHAIR EMERITUS

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LAWRENCE WILKINSON

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

  • GEOFFREY COWAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOHN HN FISHER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • HARVEY ANDERSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BECKY MORGAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANN PAO CHEN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • GENE T SYKES

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • APRIL MCCLAIN DELANEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DIANA L NELSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • NICOLE TAYLOR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ROBERT L MILLER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • WILLIAM S PRICE III

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JESSICA MOMENT

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARGARET HEARST

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CHRIS BRAHM

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SCOTT ERICKSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAVID LUDWIG

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JULIE LYTHCOTT-HAIMS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JULIAN CASTRO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARCY CARSEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • THEODORE M SHAW

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REHAN JALIL

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · Health or social club dues or initiation fees
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
COMMON SENSE MEDIA HAS AN ANNUAL GYM MEMBERSHIP REIMBURSEMENT BENEFIT FOR GYM MEMBERSHIP FEES UP TO $240 PER YEAR.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • COMMON SENSE KIDS ACTION FUND

    501(C)(4) · ADVOCATING FOR WELFARE, HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELL BEING FOR YOUTH · CA

    Directly controlled by COMMON SENSE MEDIA

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • COMMON SENSE SUPPORT INC

    C · BLOCKER · DE · 100% owned · share of assets $718 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by COMMON SENSE MEDIA

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
7 October 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202442839349302164

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