American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research does not meet the following 8 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
ACI does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
- Approve the organization’s budget.
- Have an approved conflict of interest policy.
- Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.
Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.
ACI does not meet this Standard because:
- The chair of the board is directly compensated as chief execuitve officer.
- 2 out of 4 board members are direclty compensated.
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
ACI does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
ACI does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
ACI does not meet this Standard because:
- The organizationstated that it did not produce a 2025 budget.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
ACI does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2023.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
ACI does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://www.theamericanconsumer.org/, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- Electronic access to the organization’s 2023 IRS Form 990.
- Total program expenses.
- Total fund raising expenses.
- Total administrative expenses.
- End of year net assets.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
ACI does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
- How to contact the charity to review personal informaton collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 2, 3
American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research meets the remaining 10 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to promote consumer welfare by improving the understanding and impact that public policies and regulations have on consumers in a free market."
Year, State Incorporated:
2007, VA
The American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research (ACI) reports that it informs the general public, lawmakers, and policy makers on economic issues through news and research. ACI issue areas include technology, health, internet, public policy, energy, environment, finance, insurance, and taxation. The organization's communications team informs the general public, lawmakers, and policy makers.
For the year ended December 22, 2023, American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research's program expenses were:
| Consumer research | $690,429 |
| Total Program Expenses | $690,429 |
Chief Executive
Steve Pociask, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$289,066
Chair of the Board
Steve Pociask
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Economist
Board Size
4
Paid Staff Size
9
*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Special events, Print advertisements
Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,294,746, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research's audited financial statements for the year ended December 22, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Other income | $73 |
| Investment Income | $41,548 |
| Contributions and grants | $1,294,746 |
| Total Income | $1,336,367 |
Programs: 68% Fundraising: 6% Administrative: 26%
| Total Income | $1,336,367 |
| Total expenses: | $1,015,076 |
| Program expenses | $690,429 |
| Fundraising expenses | $65,503 |
| Administrative expenses | $259,144 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $321,291 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $1,598,028 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $1,919,319 |
| Total Liabilities | $82,681 |
| Total Assets | $2,002,000 |
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance