Truth In Advertising Inc

  • Branford, CT
  • Tax exemption issued: April 2013
  • EIN: 27-4966949

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: Human Services — Multipurpose and Other / Children's, Youth Services (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

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. Duplicate download links may indicate a resubmission or amendment to this organization's original return. Organizations with gross receipts of less than $50,000 can file the form 990-N postcard filing, which doesn’t include financial details. All Form 990 data is from the IRS.

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2025

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,982,313
Expenses
$1,862,895
Net Income
$119,418
Net Assets
$154,965
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,981,373
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $940
0.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,809,258
97.1%
Compensation of Officers* $440,269
23.6%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $160,070
Total Liabilities $5,105
Net Assets $154,965
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (President) $440,269 $9,634
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $289,230 $7,518
Shana J Mueller (Director Of Communic) $161,135 $5,640
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $85,182 $2,555
Jason R Bagley (Senior Staff Writer) $81,761 $2,453
Brianna L Gooden (Legal Project Associ) $67,818 $2,374
Karen Pritzker (Director) $0 $0
Leslie Murphy (Secretary) $0 $0
Toni Burt (Treasurer) $0 $0
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Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Aug. 31, 2026

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2024

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,723,560
Expenses
$1,848,138
Net Income
-$124,578
Net Assets
$35,547
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,721,119
99.9%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $2,441
0.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,747,020
94.5%
Compensation of Officers* $411,000
22.2%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $39,374
Total Liabilities $3,827
Net Assets $35,547
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (President) $411,000 $7,500
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $270,242 $6,100
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $150,556 $4,498
Eliza J Duggan (Staff Attorney) $101,385 $713
Jason R Bagley (Senior Staff) $79,587 $2,025
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $79,587 $2,025
Karen Pritzker (Director) $0 $0
Leslie Murphy (Secretary) $0 $0
Toni Burt (Treasurer) $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on May 14, 2025

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2023

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,591,569
Expenses
$1,557,704
Net Income
$33,865
Net Assets
$160,125
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,591,264
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $5
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $300
0.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,520,912
97.6%
Compensation of Officers* $411,000
26.4%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $163,745
Total Liabilities $3,620
Net Assets $160,125
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas) $411,000 $4,971
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $256,679 $6,163
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $146,250 $4,387
Jason R Bagley (Senior Staff Writer) $77,250 $2,318
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $74,750 $2,242
Karen Pritzker (President, Director) $0 $0
Allison C Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Dana J Pritzker Springer (Director) $0 $0
Julia Vlock (Director) $0 $0
Theodore Vlock (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on June 20, 2024

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,281,350
Expenses
$1,297,819
Net Income
-$16,469
Net Assets
$126,260
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,281,340
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $10
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,241,904
95.7%
Compensation of Officers* $395,411
30.5%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $126,260
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $126,260
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas) $395,411 $9,150
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $201,262 $6,038
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $140,383 $4,211
Jason R Bagley (Staff Writer) $74,088 $2,223
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $69,187 $2,076
Karen Pritzker (President, Director) $0 $0
Allison C Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Dana J Pritzker Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Julia Vlock (Director) $0 $0
Theodore Vlock (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

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990-PF
Filed on Nov. 15, 2023

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,351,462
Expenses
$1,290,475
Net Income
$60,987
Net Assets
$142,729
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,351,451
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $11
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,234,639
95.7%
Compensation of Officers* $305,500
23.7%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $142,729
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $142,729
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas) $305,500 $19,500
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $170,303 $19,255
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $130,273 $3,712
Jason R Bagley (Staff Writer) $69,380 $1,978
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $64,473 $1,838
Karen Pritzker (President, Director) $0 $0
Allison C Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Dana J Pritzker Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Julia Vlock (Director) $0 $0
Theodore Vlock (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 8, 2022

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,051,829
Expenses
$1,042,622
Net Income
$9,207
Net Assets
$81,831
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,051,811
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $18
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $988,666
94.8%
Compensation of Officers* $325,000
31.2%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $81,832
Total Liabilities $1
Net Assets $81,831
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas) $325,000 $0
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $182,127 $0
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $129,078 $0
Jason R Bagley (Staff Writer) $68,952 $0
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $62,344 $0
Karen Pritzker (President, Director) $0 $0
Allison C Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Dana J Pritzker Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Julia Vlock (Director) $0 $0
Theodore Vlock (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 12, 2021

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,001,297
Expenses
$1,113,725
Net Income
-$112,428
Net Assets
$72,624
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,001,170
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $127
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,110,792
99.7%
Compensation of Officers* $325,000
29.2%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $72,625
Total Liabilities $1
Net Assets $72,624
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas) $325,000 $0
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $155,966 $0
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $124,208 $0
Jason R Bagley (Staff Writer) $66,300 $0
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $60,678 $0
Karen Pritzker (President, Director) $0 $0
Allison C Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Dana J Pritzker Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Julia Vlock (Director) $0 $0
Theodore Vlock (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 11, 2020

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,107,227
Expenses
$1,050,604
Net Income
$56,623
Net Assets
$185,038
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,107,069
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $158
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,048,016
99.8%
Compensation of Officers* $325,000
30.9%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $185,038
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $185,038
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas) $325,000 $0
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $147,493 $0
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $119,376 $0
Jason R Bagley (Staff Writer) $59,752 $0
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $55,197 $0
Karen Pritzker (President, Director) $0 $0
Allison C Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Dana J Pritzker Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Julia Vlock (Director) $0 $0
Theodore Vlock (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

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990-PF
Filed on May 10, 2019

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,100,401
Expenses
$1,066,933
Net Income
$33,468
Net Assets
$128,415
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,100,338
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $63
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,063,867
99.7%
Compensation of Officers* $323,490
30.3%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $128,415
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $128,415
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas) $323,490 $0
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $117,810 $0
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $103,707 $0
Francine T Silverman-larkin (Editor/investigative) $66,830 $0
Jason R Bagley (Staff Writer) $55,692 $0
Melissa A Youd (Staff Attorney) $51,320 $0
Karen Pritzker (President, Director) $0 $0
Allison C Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Dana J Pritzker Schwartz (Director) $0 $0
Julia Vlock (Director) $0 $0
Theodore Vlock (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

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990-PF
Filed on June 21, 2018

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,005,278
Expenses
$1,065,242
Net Income
-$59,964
Net Assets
$94,947
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,005,272
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $6
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,061,687
99.7%
Compensation of Officers* $225,000
21.1%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $94,947
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $94,947
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas, Dir) $225,000 $0
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $110,289 $0
Francine T Silverman-larkin (Editor/investigative) $110,124 $0
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $96,604 $0
Jason R Bagley (Staff Writer) $53,310 $0
Michael Vlock (President, Director) $0 $0
Karen Pritzker (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

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990-PF
Filed on May 15, 2017

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,005,056
Expenses
$927,753
Net Income
$77,303
Net Assets
$154,911
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,005,055
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $1
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $923,856
99.6%
Compensation of Officers* $225,000
24.3%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $154,911
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $154,911
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas, Dir) $225,000 $0
Francine T Silverman-larkin (Editor/investigative) $102,632 $0
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $102,459 $0
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $92,902 $0
Jason R Bagley (Staff Writer) $51,025 $0
Michael Vlock (President, Director) $0 $0
Karen Pritzker (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

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990-PF
Filed on May 12, 2016

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,625,558
Expenses
$1,642,900
Net Income
-$17,342
Net Assets
$77,608
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,625,550
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $8
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,639,805
99.8%
Compensation of Officers* $229,327
14.0%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $77,608
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $77,608
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Bonnie Patten (Vp, Sec, Treas, Dir) $229,327 $0
Laura D Smith (Legal Director) $103,456 $0
Shana J Mueller (Dir Of Marketing And) $90,302 $0
Francine T Silverman-larkin (Editor/investigative) $83,515 $0
Michael Vlock (President, Director) $0 $0
Karen Pritzker (Director) $0 $0
+ View more people

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990-PF
Filed on May 14, 2015

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$1,310,047
Expenses
$1,245,409
Net Income
$64,638
Net Assets
$94,950
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $1,310,030
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $17
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $1,243,098
99.8%
Compensation of Officers* $225,000
18.1%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $94,950
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $94,950

Document Links

990-PF

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$690,022
Expenses
$732,984
Net Income
-$42,962
Net Assets
$30,312
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $690,000
100.0%
Interest Revenue $0
Dividends $22
0.0%
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $731,290
99.8%
Compensation of Officers* $225,000
30.7%
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $30,312
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $30,312

Document Links

990-PF

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2011

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990-PF

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

PDF

About This Data

What Is 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 financial information from tax returns processed by the IRS since the 2012 calendar years, as well as data extracted from digital filings. IRS summary data also includes limited 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 for 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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Most organizations that have been recognized as tax exempt by the IRS have to file the Form 990 every year, unless they make less than $200,000 in revenue and have less than $500,000 in assets, in which case they have to file the Form 990-EZ. Organizations making less than $50,000 don’t have to file either form but do have to let the IRS they’re still in business via a Form 990N "e-Postcard," which does not contain financial details. Churches are not required to file Form 990.

Nonprofit Explorer has organizations that are claiming tax exemption in any of the 27 subsections of the 501(c) section of the tax code. Taxable trusts and private foundations that are required to file a form 990PF are also included.

Types of Nonprofits

There are 27 nonprofit designations based on the numbered subsections of section 501(c) of the tax code. See the list »

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Browse millions of annual returns filed by tax-exempt organizations with ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. See details like executive compensation, revenue, expenses and more. Search for an organization or a person, or search the full text of filings.

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