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Common Sense Media

EIN 41-2024986 · San Francisco, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

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.

Income
$38.0 million
Spending
$43.6 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
159
Volunteers
90
Highest pay
$634,928, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $15.3 million spent. 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. LEARN HOW WE RATE AND REVIEW NEARLY EVERYTHING KIDS WANT TO WATCH, READ, PLAY, AND LEARN. OUR VISION: FAMILIES TAKING CHARGE OF THEIR DIGITAL CHOICES.
  2. $12.0 million spent. 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.
  3. $3.4 million spent. 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.
  4. $743,074 spent. RESEARCH: THE COMMON SENSE RESEARCH PROGRAM PROVIDES UNIQUE, DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS INTO FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS' EXPERIENCES WITH MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY. OUR ORIGINAL RESEARCH REPORTS PROVIDE RELIABLE, INDEPENDENT DATA ON THE IMPACT OF MEDIA AND TECH USE ON KIDS' PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.