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Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media reported $38.0 million in revenue and $43.6 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $72.17 went to program services, $21.38 to management and general costs and $6.45 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 65.0% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $634,928 (CEO). 84 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 28% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $44MFor context, the median across 876 covered arts, culture & humanities charities: $79.98 programs, $13.89 management, $6.13 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $38M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$64.43 $25M
- Government grants$0.05 $20,285
- Program service revenue$33.60 $13M
- Investment income$1.92 $735K
Other revenue was negative: −$286K. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 72.2% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 21.4% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 6.4% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.11 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 65.0% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.1% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 33.9% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $634,928 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.46% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 84 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 7.8 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 24 of 25 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
2024 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseRate: 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
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
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
Highest reported compensation
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO Director/trustee, officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $582,702 | $0 | $52,226 | $634,928 |
| PRESIDENT Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $407,962 | $0 | $39,960 | $447,922 |
| VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCT Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $378,351 | $0 | $39,906 | $418,257 |
| CFO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $296,882 | $0 | $54,970 | $351,852 |
| PRINCIPAL ENGINEER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $283,607 | $0 | $24,282 | $307,889 |
| CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $243,991 | $0 | $50,520 | $294,511 |
| CHIEF PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $240,135 | $0 | $41,546 | $281,681 |
| SENIOR COUNSEL, HEAD OF PRIVACY Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $246,430 | $0 | $34,469 | $280,899 |
84 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Common Sense Media (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $3.0M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
2024 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b25 · 24 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5159
- Volunteers Part I, line 690
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| SAESHE Media service | $634,278 |
| ABCEY EVENTS INC Event management services | $559,916 |
| SOCIALSPHERE INC Research | $508,000 |
| ARCTOUCH LLC Engineering services | $369,300 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 21 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
39 private foundations reported grants to Common Sense Media totaling $7.5M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Common Sense Media's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Common Sense Media, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Common Sense Media spent in 2024, $72.17 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Simon Wiesenthal CenterLos Angeles, CA · revenue $38M · programs 72.1% · FY2025
- The Toledo Museum of ArtToledo, OH · revenue $38M · programs 79.7% · FY2025
- Ohio History ConnectionColumbus, OH · revenue $38M · programs 84.3% · FY2025
- Seattle Symphony OrchestraSeattle, WA · revenue $38M · programs 78.7% · FY2025
- Fox TheatreAtlanta, GA · revenue $37M · programs 78.5% · FY2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in California
Questions people ask
How much of Common Sense Media's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, Common Sense Media reported that 72.2% of its $43.6 million in expenses went to program services, 21.4% to management and general and 6.4% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Common Sense Media pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Common Sense Media reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $634,928, for the role of CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Common Sense Media get its money?
Of $38.0 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 65.0% came from contributions and grants (including 0.1% from government grants) and 33.9% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Common Sense Media a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 41-2024986 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202523109349302082 · read the filing · XML
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202442839349302164 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202303119349304710 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202233169349302063 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202122859349302357 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202023219349316002 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 41-2024986: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.