Public Citizen Foundation does not meet the following 4 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.
PCF 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.
- Receive information about the financial arrangements made with outside fundraising firms and/or consultants during the year ended September 30, 2021.
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.
PCF 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.
PCF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
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.
PCF does not meet this Standard because the 2021 annual report did not include:
- The organization's finanical information for the year ended September 30, 2021.
Public Citizen Foundation meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Public Citizen Foundation (PCF) reports that it works to protect consumer rights through the provision of grants via its educational activities. The organization's communications and outreach efforts aim to make information about health care, international trade, nuclear waste, renewable energy, government and corporate accountability, access to medicines, and related issues accessible to ordinary citizens. PCF states that its produces and distributes a monthly newsletter to over 100,000 subscribers regarding information related to best and worst drugs that are sold to consumers and related health matters. In 2021, the organization reports that it awarded 23 grants.
For the year ended September 30, 2021, Public Citizen Foundation's program expenses were:
Congress Watch |
$2,165,746 |
Public information and education |
$2,039,542 |
Litigation group |
$1,768,991 |
Publications |
$1,683,639 |
Energy program |
$1,024,649 |
Health research group |
$960,428 |
PC Texas |
$944,677 |
Global Trade Watch |
$858,966 |
Access to Medicines |
$433,289 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$11,879,927 |
*2020 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Telephone appeals
PCF incurred joint costs of $2,062,700 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $996,807 was allocated to fundraising expenses, $547,675 was allocated to administrative expenses, and $518,218 was allocated to program expenses.
Fundraising costs were 7% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $15,214,797 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 Public Citizen Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2021.
Source of Funds |
Contributions |
$8,392,840 |
Grants |
$6,772,168 |
Investment income, net |
$3,669,158 |
Publications subscriptions |
$1,084,188 |
Court awards |
$484,160 |
List rental income |
$49,789 |
Other income |
$2,363 |
Total Income |
$20,454,666 |
- Programs: 85%
- Fundraising: 8%
- Administrative: 7%
Total Income |
$20,454,666 |
Program expenses |
$11,879,927 |
Fundraising expenses |
$1,077,476 |
Administrative expenses |
$1,023,723 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$13,981,126 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$6,473,540 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$29,976,520 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-60,646 |
Ending Net Assets |
$36,389,414 |
Total Liabilities |
$5,298,353 |
Total Assets |
$41,687,767 |
Note: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in value of charitable gift annuities.