Utility Reform Network
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Utility Reform Network (TURN) is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation organized as a statewide consumer organization representing utility ratepayers in regulatory, legislative, and judicial proceedings before theCalifornia Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and in other forums, as well as providing a wide range of consumer services. Founded in 1973, TURN also handles complaints and grievances, conducts outreach to senior and low-income groups, provides educational information, community training and research, and acts as liaison between ratepayers and utility regulators.
- Income
- $8.7 million
- Spending
- $7.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 5.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 76%
- Employees
- 30
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $344,016, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 46% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
0 of 7Reports no 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 June 30, 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 (3)
- $4.8 million spent. LEGAL - TURN'S LEGAL TEAM REPRESENTED CONSUMERS IN IMPORTANT REGULATORYPROCEEDINGS IMPACTING THE RATES AND SERVICES RECEIVED BY CALIFORNIA UTILITYCONSUMERS. TURN CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR ENHANCED CONSUMER RIGHTS AND ENHANCEDUTILITY ACCOUNTABILITY. KEY WINS RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN AVOIDED RATEHIKES AND IN UTILITY SHAREHOLDER COST RESPONSIBILITY. TURN WON NEW PROTECTIONS FORDISASTER VICTIMS AND MEDICAL BASELINE CUSTOMERS, AND DEMANDED IMPROVEMENTS IN CRUCIAL PHONE NETWORKS.
- $1.3 million spent. LOBBYING, ORGANIZING, AND RACIAL EQUITY - TURN HELD EVENTS AND TRAININGS THAT EDUCATE AND EMPOWER ADVOCATES TO HELP VULNERABLE CONSUMERS STAY CONNECTED TO ESSENTIAL UTILITY SERVICES. TURN MOBILIZED OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS TO SPEAK OUT AT CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HEARINGS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS TO DEMAND FAIR RATES, POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AND UNIVERSAL ACCESS.
- $554,978 spent. COMMUNICATIONS - TURN SPOKE OUT IN THE MEDIA ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS IMPACTED BYWILDFIRES, PLANNED SHUTOFFS AND UNRELIABLE PHONE SERVICE. TURN'S MEDIA STRATEGY PUTPRESSURE ON DECISION MAKERS TO REJECT UTILITY BAILOUTS AND PROFITEERING AND PUTCONSUMERS FIRST. TURN'S MESSAGE WAS AMPLIFIED THROUGH OUR USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, ANDTURN'S MEMBERS RECEIVED IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTIVISM THROUGHOUR NEWSLETTER, WEBSITE AND MAILINGS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1974.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.