Common Counsel Foundation

Analysis

Common Counsel Foundation is a registered charity in United States, based in Oakland, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 1995, 31 years ago. Its declared purposes cover community improvement and capacity building, which this site groups under community and economic development. 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 Counsel Foundation reported income of $102.1m and spending of $58.0m, leaving 43% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $8.9m to $102.1m (+1053%), an average of +84% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income rose by 367%. Over the whole period it spent 59% of the income it received.

Among 19,475 United States charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, Common Counsel Foundation sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Center for Employment Opportunities Inc ($101.9m), Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley ($102.2m) and Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee Inc ($100.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 95% and program service revenue 2.9% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.6m (2.8% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $7.1m. At year end it held assets of $141.0m against liabilities of $2.8m, net assets of $138.2m. It reported 93 employees.