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Center for the Study of Services

Also known as Consumer's Checkbook Magazine

Washington, DC · EIN 52-1000466 · 501(c)(3) · Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Latest filing: Form 990 for calendar year 2024 (tax year 2024) · View the filing · Correct or respond

Center for the Study of Services reported $28.3 million in revenue and $27.3 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $83.70 went to program services, $15.79 to management and general costs and $0.51 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 95.0% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $565,164 (PRESIDENT). 12 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 21% between 2021 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.

Where $100 of spending went

Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $27M

For context, the median across 185 covered public & societal benefit charities: $88.81 programs, $11.18 management, $0.01 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 $28M

The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades

2024 filing. Median across 185 covered charities in this category, from their latest filings.
Measure2024Median
Program services
Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A)
83.7%84.9%
Management & general
Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A)
15.8%10.7%
Fundraising
Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A)
0.5%0.0%
Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions
Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h
$0.13$0.01
Contributions & grants share of revenue
Part VIII 1h ÷ 12
3.7%83.8%
Government grants share of revenue
Part VIII 1e ÷ 12
0.0%0.0%
Program service revenue share
Part VIII 2g ÷ 12
95.0%3.2%
Highest reported compensation
Part VII-A, columns D–F
$565,164$357,133
Highest compensation as share of expenses
Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A)
2.07%1.52%
People paid over $100,000
Part VII, line 2
1212
Net assets, in months of expenses
Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses
6.410.5
Independent voting board members
Part VI 1a–1b
7 of 8100.0%

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 expense
$17M expenses · 74.9% of program spending · revenue $20M

Healthcare system measurement and researchwe conduct surveys and perform data analysis to produce objective reports that provide information on the performance of the healthcare provider and insurance industries. The data and reports inform and educate the public, government agencies, healthcare collaboratives, healthcare providers, and industry leaders. The resulting information enables consumers and industry participants to make informed choices when selecting providers and insurers. Our work also supports accreditation efforts, pay-for-performance programs, and quality-improvement…

$2.3M expenses · 10.0% of program spending · revenue $3.4M

Healthcare decision-support toolswe design and host online decision-support tools that help consumers select health plans based on premium costs, out-of-pocket expenses, plan quality, and provider participation. These tools educate consumers on key factors to consider when choosing coverage and enable them to make sound decisions based on accurate information and expert analysis. Our tools are currently offered in seven states and the district of columbia, and we also provide nationwide tools to assist federal employees and annuitants with their health plan selections. In 2024, more than…

$3.4M expenses · 15.0% of program spending · revenue $1.3M

Consumers' checkbook publications and researchconsumers' checkbook publishes and disseminates information to help consumers choose and effectively use high-quality, cost-effective providers in areas such as healthcare, home repair, automobile servicing, pet care, and personal finance. We do not accept advertising in our publications. In addition, we share consumer information through podcasts (consumerpedia), radio, television, and collaborations with other media organizations. Our research includes consumer surveys, regulatory reviews, analysis of industry best practices, blind shopping, and…

Highest reported compensation

2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here
RoleFrom this orgFrom related orgsOtherTotal
PRESIDENT
Director/trustee, officer, 40.00 hrs/week
$484,964$0$80,200$565,164
WEBMASTER
Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week
$340,898$0$43,007$383,905
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week
$291,919$0$61,013$352,932
DIRECTOR
Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week
$233,038$0$49,953$282,991
DIRECTOR OF IT COORDINATIO
Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week
$233,038$0$46,927$279,965
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH DATA STRATEGY
Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week
$224,234$0$48,125$272,359
SENIOR SURVEY DIRECTOR
Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week
$243,423$0$25,577$269,000
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week
$205,401$0$46,675$252,076

12 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Center for the Study of Services (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $2.3M (Part IX, line 5).

4 years of filings

Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linked
RevenueExpenses
$0$10M$20M$30M$40M2021202220232024$28M$27M
FilingRevenueExpensesProgramsNet assetsTop pay
2024 ⓘ$28M$27M83.7%$15M$565,164
2023 ⓘ$28M$26M86.4%$13M$526,100
2022 ⓘ$25M$25M87.0%$11M$502,946
2021 ⓘ$23M$22M78.2%$11M$453,827

Governance 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–1b8 · 7 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 4No
  • 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 589

Private foundation grants it received

1 private foundation reported grants to Center for the Study of Services totaling $50 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 Center for the Study of Services's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Center for the Study of Services, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.

Similar-sized charities in this cause

All public & societal benefit charities · Largest charities in District of Columbia

Questions people ask

How much of Center for the Study of Services's spending goes to programs?

In calendar year 2024, Center for the Study of Services reported that 83.7% of its $27.3 million in expenses went to program services, 15.8% to management and general and 0.5% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).

How much does Center for the Study of Services pay its top executive?

The largest total compensation Center for the Study of Services reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $565,164, for the role of PRESIDENT (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).

Where does Center for the Study of Services get its money?

Of $28.3 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 3.7% came from contributions and grants and 95.0% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).

Is Center for the Study of Services a registered charity?

The IRS lists EIN 52-1000466 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 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 202522609349300317 · read the filing
  • 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202423059349301697 · read the filing
  • 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202303199349314210 · read the filing
  • 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202213199349303876 · read the filing

All filings for EIN 52-1000466: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.