Center for Science in the Public Interest meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) works to ensure that the American food supply is healthy and safe. The organization educates consumers through its Nutrition Action Healthletter and promotes policies at the local, state, and national level that aim to create healthy, safe food environments and combat obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and food-borne illness. CSPI's current programs include: working with supermarkets and local communities to support healthy choices; developing community procurement plans that promote public health and health public spaces; working with states to maximize the health benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics for human health; defending consumer protections from rollbacks; promoting a mandatory, pre-market approval process to regulate foods developed with new technology; campaigning to lower sodium in the food supply; and campaigning to lower sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, especially among children. Some ($2,282,859 or 20%) of CSPI's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fundraising appeals.
For the year ended June 30, 2018, Center for Science in the Public Interest's program expenses were:
Special projects |
$4,106,324 |
Public education |
$3,989,760 |
Nutrition Action Healthletter |
$3,399,414 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$11,495,498 |
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Chief Executive
Peter Lurie, MD, MPH, President
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Compensation*
$252,605
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Chair of the Board
Lisa Heinzerling
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Professor of Environmental and Administrative Law, Georgetown University Law Center
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Board Size
12
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Paid Staff Size
34
*2018 compensation, as reported by the charity, 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, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements
CSPI incurred joint costs of $4,136,453 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $2,282,859 was allocated to program expenses and $1,853,594 was allocated to fund raising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 18% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $12,981,808, 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 Center for Science in the Public Interest's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2018.
Source of Funds |
Contributions |
$5,849,058 |
Membership dues |
$5,490,250 |
Foundation grants |
$1,642,500 |
Other income |
$659,797 |
Royalty income |
$276,762 |
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments |
$241,376 |
Publication sales |
$199,160 |
Investment interest and dividends |
$172,203 |
Total Income |
$14,531,106 |
- Programs: 82%
- Fundraising: 16%
- Administrative: 2%
Total Income |
$14,531,106 |
Program expenses |
$11,495,498 |
Fundraising expenses |
$2,282,511 |
Administrative expenses |
$354,444 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$14,132,453 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$398,653 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$9,519,827 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
Ending Net Assets |
$9,918,059 |
Total Liabilities |
$3,147,564 |
Total Assets |
$13,065,623 |
Note: In the financial section above, 'other changes in net assets' refers to a foreign currency translation adjustment from Canadian operations.