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Nonprofiteer
← COMMON SENSE MEDIA

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by COMMON SENSE MEDIA.

Totals

Total revenue
$37,978,651
Total expenses
$43,574,887
Contributions and grants received
$24,672,601
Grants paid
$146,750
Program service revenue
$12,856,927
Investment income
$735,394
Other revenue
-$286,271
Total assets, end of year
$37,422,721
Total liabilities, end of year
$9,266,920
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$28,155,801
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$31,450,087
Management and general expenses
$9,314,936
Fundraising expenses
$2,809,864
Program service expenses (Part III)
$31,450,087

Program services were 72.2% 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

    $2,596,864

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $20,285

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $22,055,452

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $13,149,603

  • 2a · Program service revenue: RATE PROGRAM

    total $12,615,487 · related or exempt $12,615,487

  • 2b · Program service revenue: MEDIA EDUCATION

    total $241,440 · related or exempt $241,440

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $725,253 · excluded $725,253

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $13,318,088

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

    securities $13,307,947

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $10,141

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $10,141 · excluded $10,141

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $42,480

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

    $2,596,864

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $389,523

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$347,043 · excluded -$347,043

  • 11a · Other revenue: REIMBURSEMENTS

    total $60,000 · excluded $60,000

  • 11b · Other revenue: REFUNDS

    total $522 · excluded $522

  • 11c · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $250 · excluded $250

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $60,772

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $146,750 · program services $146,750

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $3,026,228 · program services $1,591,526 · management and general $1,434,702

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $14,514,035 · program services $10,475,851 · management and general $2,341,560 · fundraising $1,696,624

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $455,758 · program services $319,737 · management and general $68,055 · fundraising $67,966

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $2,158,712 · program services $1,535,373 · management and general $328,754 · fundraising $294,585

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,241,335 · program services $884,175 · management and general $230,856 · fundraising $126,304

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $97,021 · program services $35,603 · management and general $61,372 · fundraising $46

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $270,375 · management and general $270,375

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $293,006 · program services $293,006

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $4,401,954 · program services $3,856,736 · management and general $286,318 · fundraising $258,900

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $2,651,668 · program services $191,229 · management and general $2,390,724 · fundraising $69,715

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $529,749 · program services $529,749

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,331,659 · program services $1,016,810 · management and general $180,618 · fundraising $134,231

  • 17 · Travel

    total $803,655 · program services $333,685 · management and general $379,090 · fundraising $90,880

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $39,031 · program services $23,101 · management and general $15,205 · fundraising $725

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $739,778 · program services $719,243 · management and general $11,001 · fundraising $9,534

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $188,800 · program services $146,205 · management and general $22,819 · fundraising $19,776

  • 24a · Other expenses: POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS

    total $6,731,000 · program services $6,731,000

  • 24b · Other expenses: COMMUNITY EVENTS

    total $1,752,336 · program services $1,752,336

  • 24c · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $1,194,781 · program services $585,253 · management and general $578,377 · fundraising $31,151

  • 24d · Other expenses: STAFF DEVELOPMENT

    total $419,425 · program services $146,066 · management and general $263,994 · fundraising $9,365

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $587,831 · program services $136,653 · management and general $451,116 · fundraising $62

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $4,116,055 · end of year $2,527,017

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $114,092 · end of year $118,710

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $6,299,194 · end of year $3,360,350

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $6,096,270 · end of year $4,911,377

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $1,650,919 · end of year $650,389

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

    $3,198,234

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

    $1,620,523

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $2,317,492 · end of year $1,577,711

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $16,804,764 · end of year $18,447,070

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $6,908,340 · end of year $5,830,097

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,877,394 · end of year $1,323,985

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,046,389 · end of year $1,412,949

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $7,626,533 · end of year $6,529,986

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $19,484,597 · end of year $17,475,341

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $14,272,213 · end of year $10,680,460

Mission and programs · 2024

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. LEARN HOW WE RATE AND REVIEW NEARLY EVERYTHING KIDS WANT TO WATCH, READ, PLAY, AND LEARN. OUR VISION: FAMILIES TAKING CHARGE OF THEIR DIGITAL CHOICES.

    Expenses $15,346,422 · Revenue $12,615,487

  • 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 $12,005,375 · Grants $6,750

  • 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 $3,355,216 · Grants $140,000 · Revenue $241,440

  • RESEARCH: THE COMMON SENSE RESEARCH PROGRAM PROVIDES UNIQUE, DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS INTO FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS' EXPERIENCES WITH MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY. OUR ORIGINAL RESEARCH REPORTS PROVIDE RELIABLE, INDEPENDENT DATA ON THE IMPACT OF MEDIA AND TECH USE ON KIDS' PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT.

    Expenses $743,074

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • JIM STEYER

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $634,928
    From this org
    $582,702
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $52,226
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $392,702
    Bonus
    $190,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,600
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,626
    Filer's total
    $634,928

  • ELLEN PACK

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $447,922
    From this org
    $407,962
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,960
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $357,962
    Bonus
    $50,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,160
    Filer's total
    $447,922

  • AMY BROTMAN

    VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCT

    Total calculated
    $418,257
    From this org
    $378,351
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,906
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $378,351
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,024
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,882
    Filer's total
    $418,257

  • DAVID KUIZENGA

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $351,852
    From this org
    $296,882
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $54,970
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $271,882
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,344
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,626
    Filer's total
    $351,852

  • JEFFREY WARRINGTON

    PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

    Total calculated
    $307,889
    From this org
    $283,607
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,282
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $283,607
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $2,498
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,784
    Filer's total
    $307,889

  • JILL MURPHY

    CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $294,511
    From this org
    $243,991
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $50,520
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $243,991
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,894
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,626
    Filer's total
    $294,511

  • ASHWIN SRIDHAR

    CHIEF PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $281,681
    From this org
    $240,135
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,546
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $240,135
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,664
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,882
    Filer's total
    $281,681

  • GIRARD KELLY

    SENIOR COUNSEL, HEAD OF PRIVACY

    Total calculated
    $280,899
    From this org
    $246,430
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,469
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $246,430
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,868
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,601
    Filer's total
    $280,899

  • YVETTE RENTERIA

    CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $269,807
    From this org
    $244,533
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,274
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $244,533
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,886
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,388
    Filer's total
    $269,807

  • GORDON LEE

    HEAD OF DATA & TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $261,109
    From this org
    $228,149
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,960
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $228,149
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,420
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,540
    Filer's total
    $261,109

  • BETH SEARS

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $252,412
    From this org
    $242,704
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,708
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $242,704
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,708
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $252,412

  • ROSALINDA NAVA

    VP OF PEOPLE OPS

    Total calculated
    $252,149
    From this org
    $218,939
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,210
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $211,439
    Bonus
    $7,500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,740
    Nontaxable benefits
    $24,470
    Filer's total
    $252,149

  • DANNY WEISS

    CHIEF ADVOCACY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $240,966
    From this org
    $231,775
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,191
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $231,775
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,191
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $240,966

  • SUSAN SACHS

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LAWRENCE WILKINSON

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

  • ANN PAO CHEN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BECKY MORGAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAVID LUDWIG

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DIANA L NELSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • GENE T SYKES

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • GEOFFREY COWAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JESSICA MOMENT

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOHN HN FISHER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JULIAN CASTRO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LINDA BURCH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARCY CARSEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • NICOLE TAYLOR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SCOTT ERICKSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • THEODORE M SHAW

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • WILLIAM S PRICE III

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LAURA BEAUDIN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • GARY KNELL

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • GERALDINE LAYBOURNE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LAURIE OLSHANSKY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SCOTT TAYLOR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MICHAEL TUBBS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CYRUS VANCE

    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 $6,274 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by COMMON SENSE MEDIA

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
4 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202523109349302082

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