United States Public Interest Research Group Inc

Overview

Mission

Operate exclusively for the promotion of social welfare by undertaking the following activities: (a) to identify problems and advocate solutions in the areas of: (1) consumer protection; (2) environmental preservation; (3) protection against discrimination on the basis of illegal or unjust criteria; (4) corporate and governmental responsibility to the public; (5) public and occupational health and safety; (6) energy policy; and, (7) other matters affecting the economic and social well-being of the inhabitants of the united states. (b) to conduct research, analysis, testing, and investigations on the matters listed in subparagraph (a) above. (c) to publish information and conduct public education on the aforementioned matters (continued) (continued) (d) to provide technical assistance to, and to work in conjunction with, other organizations which are exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to sections 501c3 and 501c4.

What it reported doing in 2024

For more than 40 years, U.S.pirg has educated consumers on how to protect themselves and their rights. We conduct independent testing and research to expose hazards in everyday products. Our team of advocates crafts legislation, provides critical information, and expert testimony to fight rollbacks of our consumer and public health protections.

Operating model

Revenue model
Mixed. Its operating money came from several sources; no one source provided a clear majority.
Distribution model
Hybrid. The nonprofit split its reported program spending across 77% for direct work, and 23% for grants.

Nonprofit profile at a glance

EIN
042790740
IRS 990 coverage
2009–2024
Forms available
Form 990 2024
Headquarters
Denver, CO, USA
Phone
2025469707
Rating
74
Verdict
SUPPORTED
Rating confidence
Moderate

Official website

The verdict

SUPPORTED - The filed numbers largely add up and most filed governance safeguards are in place. Fundraising costs are high for each dollar raised and expenses are high relative to revenue.

Rating breakdown

  • Financial Efficiency: 58
  • Transparency & Controls: 94
  • Accountability: 73
  • Sustainability: 52
  • Growth: 100

Detailed rating inputs

Financial Efficiency

  • Mission deployment rate: 63.4%; rating input score 63
  • Program expense ratio: 62.3%; rating input score 62
  • Fundraising efficiency: $6.44 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

  • Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Pay-setting controls: Limited
  • Foreign activity oversight: Limited
  • Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
  • Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
  • Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

  • Independent voting board: 62.5%; rating input score 62; 13th percentile among comparable filings
  • Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
    • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
    • Whistleblower policy: Pass
    • Document-retention policy: Pass
    • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
    • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
    • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
    • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
    • Audit committee oversight: Fail
    • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

  • Operating margin: 0.3%; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
  • Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.98; rating input score 84; 84th percentile among comparable filings
  • Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.22; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings
  • Officer compensation ratio: 3.6%; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

  • Program expense growth: 1.3% per year; rating input score 100; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Revenue growth: 2.5% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings
  • Asset growth: 2% per year; rating input score 100; 25th percentile among comparable filings

Details

  • Where the money goes: 63.4% of revenue deployed · 62.3% of spending went to programs
  • Governance: 5 of 8 board members independent · 7 of 8 filing controls reported
  • Programs: 2 filed program accomplishments · $980K in reported program spending
  • Leadership: top reported pay $102K · 8 people listed
  • Highest-paid contractors: 2 contractors listed · $6.6M reported
  • Consistency: 32 of 32 current checks pass
  • Schedules: 7 filed schedules · includes major donors and grants
  • Filing history: 16 annual filings from 2009 to 2024
  • Contacts: How to reach this organization
  • Money network: 5 filed money-flow records
  • Related organizations: 33 filed related-organization links
  • Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
  • People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.

Leadership & pay

8 people listed

Highest reported compensation

  • DIANE BROWN (DIRECTOR): $102,458 total reported compensation
  • ED MIERZWINSKI (SECRETARY): $45,231 total reported compensation
  • EMILY RUSCH (DIRECTOR): $4,338 total reported compensation

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: FY2024.