Consumer Reports Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT MEMBER ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS SIDE BY SIDE WITH CONSUMERS FOR TRUTH, TRANSPARENCY, AND FAIRNESS IN THE MARKETPLACE.
- Income
- $267.2 million
- Spending
- $244.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 13.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 78%
- Employees
- 579
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $924,476, president & ceo (thru 12/31/24)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 30% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $197.5 million spent. CONSUMER INFORMATION, PRODUCT INFORMATION: SEE SCHEDULE O FORADDITIONAL INFORMATION. CONSUMER INFORMATION: CONSUMER REPORTS PUBLISHES AND DISSEMINATES INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO CONSUMERS REGARDING TOPICS SUCH AS CONSUMER GOODS, SERVICES, HEALTH AND PERSONAL FINANCE IN ORDER TO EFFECT ITS EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE. THE NUMBER OF PAID SUBSCRIBERS FOR EACH AS OF 5/31/25 INCLUDE CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE 2,404,357; CONSUMER REPORTS ON HEALTH 268,244; AND CR ONLINE 2,775,294. CONSUMER REPORTS DOES NOT ACCEPT OUTSIDE ADVERTISING IN ANY OF ITS PUBLICATIONS. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER REPORTS DISSEMINATES CONSUMER INFORMATION THROUGH OTHER PRINT, RADIO, TELEVISION, ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA. PRODUCT INFORMATION: CONSUMER REPORTS CONDUCTS INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL TESTS AND ANALYSES ON A WIDE RANGE OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, SUCH AS ELECTRONICS, APPLIANCES, HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS, INSURANCE, RECREATIONAL GOODS, AND CARS. THE TESTS AND SURVEYS EVALUATE HOW THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PERFORM AND EDUCATE CONSUMERS ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY ARE CONVENIENT, SAFE, AND ECONOMICAL. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED 5/31/25, CONSUMER REPORTS CONDUCTED TESTS AND EVALUATIONS ON MORE THAN 2,362 MODELS OF VARIOUS CONSUMER PRODUCTS, MAKING USE OF ABOUT 63 LABORATORIES AND ITS AUTO TRACK. THE INFORMATION GATHERED AS RESULT OF THESE TESTS IS DISSEMINATED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
- $12.2 million spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMS, HEALTH INFORMATION AND SAFETY: SEESCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. CONSUMER REPORTS IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CONSUMERS AND CREATING A FAIR AND JUST MARKETPLACE FOR ALL OF US. WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH FIVE MILLION MEMBERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. CR SEEKS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH RELIABLE DATA TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THE PRODUCTS THEY BUY, AS WELL AS INFORMATION TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR RIGHTS AS CONSUMERS. IN THE 89 YEARS SINCE CR WAS FOUNDED, WE HAVE BUILT A LEGACY OF TRUST AMONG CONSUMERS BY CONDUCTING EXPERT, RIGOROUS, SCIENCE-BASED TESTING OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, INCENTIVIZING CORPORATIONS TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY AND TRANSPARENCY, AND WORKING WITH POLICYMAKERS AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES TO ADVANCE PRO-CONSUMER POLICIES. WE PROVIDE OUR TRUSTED INFORMATION THROUGH TESTING, RATINGS, AND REVIEWS; SURVEYS, REPORTS AND ANALYSES; AND INVESTIGATIVE AND SERVICE JOURNALISM - ALL OF WHICH IS DISSEMINATED THROUGH MULTIPLE DIGITAL AND PRINT PLATFORMS THAT REACH MORE THAN 15 MILLION PEOPLE EACH MONTH. THE PUBLIC CAN ACCESS SUBSTANTIAL FREE CONSUMER EDUCATION INFORMATION AS A PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG, CR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, CR WEBINARS, AND CR PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL TV STATIONS. THESE COMBINED EFFORTS LEVERAGE CONSUMER DEMAND TO SHAPE A PRO-CONSUMER MARKETPLACE, AND WE ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH INDUSTRY TO SET STANDARDS AND PROMOTE PRINCIPLES IN THE DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. CONSUMER REPORTS' UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING OF CONSUMERS IS EXEMPLIFIED BY OUR FY 25 (JUNE 1, 2024 THROUGH MAY 31, 2025) ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MILESTONES, SOME OF WHICH INCLUDE: SAFER FOOD AND PRODUCTS: CR HELPS DRIVE NATIONAL ACTIONS TO REMOVE TOXINS AND UNSAFE ITEMS FROM THE MARKET - NATIONAL BAN ON RED DYE NO. 3: CR HELPED ACHIEVE A MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH VICTORY WHEN THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) BANNED RED DYE NO. 3 IN FOOD, DRINKS, AND INGESTED MEDICATIONS. THE DYE HAS BEEN LINKED TO CANCER, AS WELL AS NEUROBEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN, DESPITE THE FACT THAT SAFER ALTERNATIVES ARE READILY AVAILABLE AND USED IN OTHER COUNTRIES. CR PUSHED FOR THIS BAN FOR YEARS, MOBILIZING PUBLIC SUPPORT, TESTIFYING BEFORE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND DELIVERING A PETITION SIGNED BY 80,000 CONSUMERS. IN 2023 CR CO-SPONSORED A CALIFORNIA LAW BANNING THE DYE IN FOODS, WHICH HELPED GENERATE MOMENTUM FOR THIS HISTORIC NATIONAL ACTION IN 2025. - IMPROVING SCHOOL MEAL SAFETY: CR CO-SPONSORED A NEW CALIFORNIA LAW BANNING SIX SYNTHETIC DYES FROM SCHOOL MEALS DUE TO THEIR LINKS TO LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER CR'S TESTS FOUND CONCERNING LEVELS OF SODIUM, LEAD, AND CADMIUM IN SOME LUNCHABLES MEAL KITS, CR ORGANIZED PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO TELL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PULL LUNCHABLES FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, AND THE MANUFACTURER EVENTUALLY REMOVED THEM. - INFANT AND CHILD PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARDS: A NEW MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARD FOR INFANT SUPPORT CUSHIONS, INCLUDING BABY LOUNGERS, TOOK EFFECT IN MAY 2025. THE RULE WAS CHAMPIONED BY CR TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SUFFOCATION, ENTRAPMENT, AND FALLS. THE STANDARD REQUIRES BETTER DESIGN, RIGOROUS TESTING, AND CLEARER WARNING LABELS. - REMOVING UNSAFE PRODUCTS FROM ONLINE SHELVES: CR SPOT-CHECKED 21 BIKE HELMETS FOR SALE ONLINE AND FLAGGED EIGHT THAT LACKED THE REQUIRED SAFETY COMPLIANCE STICKER. WHEN CONTACTED, SHEIN, TEMU, AND WALMART TOOK DOWN THE LISTINGS FOR THESE NONCOMPLIANT HELMETS, MITIGATING CONSUMER RISK. A SAFER DIGITAL MARKETPLACE: CR ADVANCES PROTECTIONS AGAINST AI MISUSE AND DATA HARMS - COMBATING A BAN ON STATE AI LAWS: WHEN CONGRESS PROPOSED A 10-YEAR BAN ON STATE AI LAWS, CR TESTIFIED AT A SENATE HEARING, WARNING THAT SUCH A MOVE WOULD LEAVE CONSUMERS VULNERABLE. CR MOBILIZED MEMBERS TO SEND OVER 80,000 EMAILS TO THEIR SENATORS. THE SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED THE PROPOSAL IN A 99-TO-1 VOTE IN A VICTORY FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION. - INVESTIGATING AI HARMS: A CR INVESTIGATION OF SIX WIDELY USED AI VOICE-CLONING TOOLS FOUND THAT FOUR LACKED MEANINGFUL SAFEGUARDS, CREATING A CLEAR PATH FOR IMPERSONATION SCAMS. CR IS USING THESE FINDINGS TO ADVOCATE FOR STRONGER PROTECTIONS AND TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT TO PREVENT AI MISUSE. - ADVOCATING FOR ALGORITHMIC TRANSPARENCY: CR IS WORKING IN SEVERAL STATES ON LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE USE OF AI FOR BIG DECISIONS IN CONSUMERS' DAILY LIVES, SUCH AS LOANS, HOUSING, INSURANCE, AND HEALTHCARE, ADVOCATING FOR REFORMS AND TRANSPARENCY TO ENSURE HIDDEN ALGORITHMS DO NOT REJECT QUALIFIED PEOPLE DUE TO INCORRECT OR BIASED INFORMATION. FINANCIAL SECURITY AND MARKET TRANSPARENCY: CR EXPOSES HIDDEN FEES AND OVERCHARGES - JUNK FEES: CR GATHERED THOUSANDS OF STORIES FROM CONSUMERS WHO HAVE BEEN STUNG BY SURPRISE FEES. THESE FEES CAN CONCEAL THE TRUE PRICE OF AN ITEM, MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO COMPARISON-SHOP, AND CHIP AWAY AT FAMILY BUDGETS. WE SHARED THESE STORIES, PLUS OUR NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE SURVEYS, WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. A NEW FTC RULE BACKED BY CR AIMS TO ELIMINATE HIDDEN AND UNFAIR FEES IN LIVE EVENT TICKETS AND SHORT-TERM LODGING. THE RULE REQUIRES BUSINESSES TO DISCLOSE THE TOTAL PRICE UP FRONT. IT IS ESTIMATED TO SAVE CONSUMERS 53 MILLION HOURS OF TIME EACH YEAR IN SEARCHING FOR TICKETS AND LODGING. - MAKE THE PRICE RIGHT CAMPAIGN: CR CONDUCTED TWO MAJOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE GROCERY GIANT KROGER. THE FIRST FOUND OVERCHARGES CAUSED BY EXPIRED SALE TAGS, AND KROGER ANNOUNCED THE HIRING OF AN ADDITIONAL 15,000 EMPLOYEES TO IMPROVE SERVICE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE SECOND INVESTIGATION UNCOVERED HOW KROGER WAS BUILDING DETAILED LOYALTY PROFILES ON CUSTOMERS AND USING THAT DATA TO PERSONALIZE PRICING AND PROMOTIONS, SO ONE CONSUMER MIGHT BE PAYING MORE THAN THEIR NEIGHBORS FOR THE SAME ITEMS. - MARKETPLACE ACCOUNTABILITY: CR PUBLISHED A NEW REPORT CALLING FOR STRONGER CONSUMER PROTECTIONS TO HOLD ONLINE MARKETPLACES ACCOUNTABLE FOR UNSAFE PRODUCTS SOLD BY THIRD-PARTY SELLER
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1984.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.