Common Sense Media

Analysis

Common Sense Media is a registered charity in United States, based in San Francisco, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 2002, 24 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Common Sense Media reported income of $34.0m and spending of $30.4m, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $29.6m to $34.0m (+15%), an average of +3.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 65%. Over the whole period it spent 90% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Common Sense Media sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include White House Historical Association ($33.8m), Southern California Public Radio ($34.2m) and Chicago Public Media Inc ($33.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 64% and program service revenue 36% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.5m (8.4% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $14.5m. At year end it held assets of $44.3m against liabilities of $10.6m, net assets of $33.8m. It reported 176 employees.