Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← COMMON SENSE MEDIA

Form 990 for tax year 2022

Filed by COMMON SENSE MEDIA.

Totals

Total revenue
$24,617,693
Total expenses
$31,200,278
Contributions and grants received
$14,588,158
Grants paid
$342,535
Program service revenue
$10,287,968
Investment income
$147,465
Other revenue
-$405,898
Total assets, end of year
$40,776,663
Total liabilities, end of year
$10,578,427
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$30,198,236
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$22,671,885
Management and general expenses
$5,516,344
Fundraising expenses
$3,012,049
Program service expenses (Part III)
$22,671,885

Program services were 72.7% 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

    $2,102,781

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $12,485,377

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $2,455,444

  • 2a · Program service revenue: RATE

    total $9,977,718 · related or exempt $9,977,718

  • 2b · Program service revenue: EDUCATE

    total $310,250 · related or exempt $310,250

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $185,366 · excluded $185,366

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $4,483,161

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

    securities $4,521,062

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$37,901

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$37,901 · excluded -$37,901

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $59,640

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

    $2,102,781

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $552,328

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$492,688 · excluded -$492,688

  • 11a · Other revenue: REIMBURSEMENTS

    total $86,790 · excluded $86,790

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $86,790

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $342,535 · program services $342,535

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $2,959,352 · program services $1,274,066 · management and general $1,685,286

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $13,464,915 · program services $11,082,468 · management and general $308,904 · fundraising $2,073,543

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $465,636 · program services $361,120 · management and general $31,737 · fundraising $72,779

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $2,083,144 · program services $1,688,214 · management and general $155,378 · fundraising $239,552

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,059,189 · program services $810,671 · management and general $122,428 · fundraising $126,090

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $81,716 · program services $9,801 · management and general $71,915

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $287,677 · management and general $287,677

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,901,684 · program services $3,515,020 · management and general $354,671 · fundraising $31,993

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $417,419 · program services $417,333 · management and general $86

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $892,268 · program services $126,748 · management and general $726,009 · fundraising $39,511

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $680,923 · program services $649,791 · management and general $31,132

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,196,705 · program services $883,273 · management and general $147,272 · fundraising $166,160

  • 17 · Travel

    total $668,554 · program services $465,615 · management and general $117,776 · fundraising $85,163

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $48,022 · program services $44,202 · management and general $525 · fundraising $3,295

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $96,735 · program services $65,750 · management and general $18,616 · fundraising $12,369

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $169,336 · program services $127,781 · management and general $17,517 · fundraising $24,038

  • 24a · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $1,203,746 · program services $680,245 · management and general $473,950 · fundraising $49,551

  • 24b · Other expenses: REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

    total $379,431 · program services $14,580 · management and general $364,297 · fundraising $554

  • 24c · Other expenses: COMMUNITY EVENTS

    total $353,156 · program services $29,209 · management and general $316,242 · fundraising $7,705

  • 24d · Other expenses: STAFF DEVELOPMENT

    total $341,373 · program services $44,799 · management and general $219,823 · fundraising $76,751

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $106,762 · program services $38,664 · management and general $65,103 · fundraising $2,995

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $6,436,703 · end of year $3,776,276

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $110,906 · end of year $111,462

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $7,856,635 · end of year $3,727,686

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $6,679,059 · end of year $4,991,296

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $704,266 · end of year $415,417

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

    $1,242,925

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

    $629,790

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $709,870 · end of year $613,135

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $17,669,826 · end of year $18,328,112

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    end of year $833,907

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $7,979,372

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $2,084,191 · end of year $1,468,135

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,302,637 · end of year $427,500

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $8,682,792

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $22,936,464 · end of year $19,807,114

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $13,843,973 · end of year $10,391,122

Mission and programs · 2022

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.

  • 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 $9,832,758 · Grants $317,000 · Revenue $310,250

  • 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 $7,943,293 · Revenue $9,977,718

  • 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 $4,192,291 · Grants $25,535

  • 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 $703,543

As filed on the 2022 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • James Steyer

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $614,587
    From this org
    $578,616
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,971
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $378,616
    Bonus
    $200,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,971
    Filer's total
    $614,587
  • Linda Burch

    CHIEF STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $379,221
    From this org
    $332,650
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,571
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $282,650
    Bonus
    $50,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,600
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,971
    Filer's total
    $379,221
  • Ellen Pack

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $374,993
    From this org
    $343,307
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,686
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $293,307
    Bonus
    $50,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,600
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,086
    Filer's total
    $374,993
  • David Kuizenga

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $316,485
    From this org
    $270,514
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,971
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $245,514
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,971
    Filer's total
    $316,485
  • Danny Weiss

    CHIEF ADVOCACY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $287,697
    From this org
    $278,697
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,000
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $253,697
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $287,697
  • Colby Zintl

    CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $263,662
    From this org
    $231,725
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,937
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $231,725
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,067
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,870
    Filer's total
    $263,662
  • Jill Murphy

    EDITOR IN CHIEF, HEAD OF DIST.

    Total calculated
    $255,769
    From this org
    $211,131
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,638
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $211,131
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,667
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,971
    Filer's total
    $255,769
  • Omar Khan

    CHIEF PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $253,604
    From this org
    $243,864
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,740
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $243,864
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,740
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $253,604
  • James Kleven

    VICE PRESIDENT, PEOPLE OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $220,246
    From this org
    $211,646
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,600
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $211,646
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,600
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $220,246
  • Yvette Renteria

    CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $213,334
    From this org
    $195,269
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,065
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $195,269
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,667
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,398
    Filer's total
    $213,334
  • Jason Maymon

    VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMM.

    Total calculated
    $204,331
    From this org
    $179,815
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,516
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $179,815
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,516
    Filer's total
    $204,331
  • Amy Brotman

    VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCT

    Total calculated
    $203,455
    From this org
    $183,852
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,603
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $183,852
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,403
    Filer's total
    $203,455
  • Rhianwen Benner

    VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $195,128
    From this org
    $175,525
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,603
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $175,525
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,403
    Filer's total
    $195,128
  • Kevin Diubaldo

    CONTROLLER

    Total calculated
    $189,236
    From this org
    $181,982
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,254
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $181,982
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,254
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $189,236
  • Susan Sachs

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Lawrence Wilkinson

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Harvey Anderson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Laura Beaudin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Marcy Carsey

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Julian Castro

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Ann Pao Chen

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Geoffrey Cowan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Scott Erickson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John Hn Fisher

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Rehan Jalil

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David Ludwig

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Robert L Miller

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jessica Moment

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Becky Morgan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Diana L Nelson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • William S Price III

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Theodore Shaw

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Margaret Spellings

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gene Sykes

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nicole Taylor

    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

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 income -$5,405 · share of assets $718 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by COMMON SENSE MEDIA

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2022
Filed
3 November 2023
IRS schema version
2022v5.0
Source object
202303119349304710

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.