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Common Sense Institute

Organization summary

Type of Nonprofit

Designated as a Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn't provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Category: Social Science Research Institutes, Services / Research Institutes and/or Public Policy Analysis (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Details

According to its Dec. 2022 tax filing, this nonprofit:

Reported conflict of interest transactions
Organizations must report loans, grants or business transactions with interested parties, which may include key employees and officers, their family members and any businesses in which they hold a controlling interest. These transactions must be reported on Schedule L.

Summary charts: organization finances over time

Revenue
$2.06M (2022)

Expenses
$2.07M (2022)

Total Assets
$304k (2022)

Total Liabilities
$92.8k (2022)

Source: Form 990 tax filings from 2011 to 2022

Tax Filings by Year

Form 990 is an information return that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status must file yearly with the IRS. Nonprofit Explorer has IRS digitized Form 990 data for filings processed in 2012 and later. If this organization filed an amended return, it may not be reflected below. Duplicate download links may indicate a resubmission or amendment to this organization's original return. Form 990 data is from the IRS.

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$2,055,562
Expenses
$2,066,103
Net Income
-$10,541
Net Assets
$210,958
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $2,099,667
> 100%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $5,465
0.3%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising -$41,997
Sales of Assets -$7,573
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $275,315
13.3%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $664,134
32.1%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $303,744
Total Liabilities $92,786
Net Assets $210,958
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Kristin Strohm (President & Ceo) $275,315 $0 $2,438
Christopher G Brown (Vp Policy/Researc) $201,619 $0 $0
Glenn Farley (Dir Plcy & Rsch) $121,364 $0 $0
Steven Byers (Senior Economist) $107,223 $0 $0
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
Walter A Buz Koelbel Jr (Vice Chair) $0 $0 $0
J J Ament (Director) $0 $0 $0
Dave Davia (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jack Graham (Director) $0 $0 $0
Byron Haselden (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jim Johnson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Laura Leprino (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jenifer Waller (Director) $0 $0 $0
Charlie Mcneil (Director) $0 $0 $0
Elizabeth Peetz (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terence Terry J Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Carrie Tynan (Director) $0 $0 $0
Robin Wise (Director) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,459,033
Expenses
$1,335,107
Net Income
$123,926
Net Assets
$218,135
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,458,537
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $496
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $294,303
22.0%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $385,647
28.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $261,276
Total Liabilities $43,141
Net Assets $218,135
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Kristin Strohm (President & Ceo) $288,750 $0 $9,668
Christopher G Brown (Vp Policy/Researc) $180,375 $0 $7,214
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
Walter A Buz Koelbel Jr (Vice Chair) $0 $0 $0
Don Childears (Director) $0 $0 $0
Dave Davia (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jack Graham (Director) $0 $0 $0
Byron Haselden (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jim Johnson (Vice Chair) $0 $0 $0
Laura Leprino (Director) $0 $0 $0
T Scott Martin (Director) $0 $0 $0
Charlie Mcneil (Director) $0 $0 $0
Elizabeth Peetz (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terence Terry J Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Carrie Tynan (Director) $0 $0 $0
Robin Wise (Director) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$952,575
Expenses
$939,476
Net Income
$13,099
Net Assets
$94,209
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $952,286
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $289
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $235,722
25.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $269,165
28.7%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $105,931
Total Liabilities $11,722
Net Assets $94,209
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Kristin Strohm (President & Ceo) $234,167 $0 $19,500
Christopher G Brown (Vp Policy/Researc) $165,500 $0 $6,620
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
Walter A Buz Koelbel Jr (Vice Chair) $0 $0 $0
Don Chidears (Director) $0 $0 $0
Dave Davia (Director) $0 $0 $0
Heidi Ganahl (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jack Graham (Director) $0 $0 $0
Byron Haselden (Vice Chair) $0 $0 $0
Jim Johnson (Director) $0 $0 $0
T Scott Martin (Director) $0 $0 $0
Charlie Mcneil (Director) $0 $0 $0
Elizabeth Peetz (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terence Terry J Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Carrie Tynan (Director) $0 $0 $0
Robert Wise (Director) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$674,236
Expenses
$730,509
Net Income
-$56,273
Net Assets
$81,110
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $532,460
79.0%
Program Services $141,312
21.0%
Investment Income $464
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $166,666
22.8%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $187,191
25.6%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $88,898
Total Liabilities $7,788
Net Assets $81,110

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$400,649
Expenses
$703,472
Net Income
-$302,823
Net Assets
$137,383
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $267,230
66.7%
Program Services $133,000
33.2%
Investment Income $419
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $176,295
25.1%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $151,344
Total Liabilities $13,961
Net Assets $137,383
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Christopher G Brown (Dir Policy/Researc) $160,200 $0 $0
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
Heidi Ganahl (Director) $0 $0 $0
H Jack Hays (Director) $0 $0 $0
Walter Buz Koelbel (Chair Elect) $0 $0 $0
T Scott Martin (Director) $0 $0 $0
Lem Smith (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terry Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Charles Mcneil (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jack Graham (Director) $0 $0 $0
Robin Wise (Director) $0 $0 $0
Byron Haselden (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kristin Strohm (President & Ceo) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$649,336
Expenses
$236,958
Net Income
$412,378
Net Assets
$440,206
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $549,364
84.6%
Program Services $99,749
15.4%
Investment Income $223
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $61,162
25.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $448,488
Total Liabilities $8,282
Net Assets $440,206
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
Heidi Ganahl (Director) $0 $0 $0
H Jack Hays (Director) $0 $0 $0
Walter Buz Koelbel (Chair Elect) $0 $0 $0
T Scott Martin (Director) $0 $0 $0
Lem Smith (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terry Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Charles Mcneil (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jack Graham (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kristin Strohm (Executive Dir.) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$206,422
Expenses
$225,722
Net Income
-$19,300
Net Assets
$27,828
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $197,250
95.6%
Program Services $9,167
4.4%
Investment Income $5
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $33,531
Total Liabilities $5,703
Net Assets $27,828
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
Heidi Ganahl (Director) $0 $0 $0
H Jack Hays (Director) $0 $0 $0
Walter Buz Koelbel (Chair Elect) $0 $0 $0
T Scott Martin (Director) $0 $0 $0
Lem Smith (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terry Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Charles Mcneil (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kristin Strohm (Executive Dir.) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$287,316
Expenses
$306,485
Net Income
-$19,169
Net Assets
$47,128
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $202,720
70.6%
Program Services $84,507
29.4%
Investment Income $89
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $57,128
Total Liabilities $10,000
Net Assets $47,128
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
Heidi Ganahl (Director) $0 $0 $0
H Jack Hays (Director) $0 $0 $0
Walter Buz Koelbel (Chair Elect) $0 $0 $0
T Scott Martin (Director) $0 $0 $0
Lem Smith (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terry Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Charles Mcneil (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kristin Strohm (Executive Dir.) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$290,586
Expenses
$237,888
Net Income
$52,698
Net Assets
$66,297
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $290,535
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $51
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $81,297
Total Liabilities $15,000
Net Assets $66,297
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
H Jack Hays (Director) $0 $0 $0
Walter Buz Koelbel (Chair Elect) $0 $0 $0
T Scott Martin (Director) $0 $0 $0
Lem Smith (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terry Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Louis Hutchison (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kristin Strohm (Executive Dir.) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$700,322
Expenses
$735,647
Net Income
-$35,325
Net Assets
$13,599
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $700,228
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $94
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $23,599
Total Liabilities $10,000
Net Assets $13,599
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Earl Wright (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
H Jack Hays (Director) $0 $0 $0
Walter Buz Koelbel (Chair Elect) $0 $0 $0
T Scott Martin (Director) $0 $0 $0
Lem Smith (Director) $0 $0 $0
Terry Stevinson (Director) $0 $0 $0
Louis Hutchison (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kristin Strohm (Executive Dir.) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from 990-EZ
Revenue
$158,604
Expenses
$177,321
Net Income
-$18,717
Net Assets
$48,924
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $158,585
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $19
0.0%
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $58,924
Total Liabilities $10,000
Net Assets $48,924

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2011

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$205,004
Expenses
$137,363
Net Income
$67,641
Net Assets
$67,641
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $205,000
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $4
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $67,641
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $67,641

Document Links

About This Data

Nonprofit Explorer includes summary data for nonprofit tax returns and full Form 990 documents, in both PDF and digital formats.

The summary data contains information processed by the IRS during the 2012-2019 calendar years; this generally consists of filings for the 2011-2018 fiscal years, but may include older records. This data release includes only a subset of what can be found in the full Form 990s.

In addition to the raw summary data, we link to PDFs and digital copies of full Form 990 documents wherever possible. This consists of separate releases by the IRS of Form 990 documents processed by the agency, which we update regularly.

We also link to copies of audits nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year since 2016. These audits are copied from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

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Nonprofit Explorer has organizations claiming tax exemption in each of the 27 subsections of the 501(c) section of the tax code, and which have filed a Form 990, Form 990EZ or Form 990PF. Taxable trusts and private foundations that are required to file a form 990PF are also included. Small organizations filing a Form 990N "e-Postcard" are not included in this data.

Types of Nonprofits

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