Nonprofit · EIN 52-1263996
PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20009
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $26,769,469 | $17,942,326 | $8,827,143 | $44,968,379 | $4,306,856 | $40,661,523 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $14,844,863 | $17,865,500 | -$3,020,637 | $35,761,953 | $4,004,018 | $31,757,935 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $13,389,271 | $18,066,747 | -$4,677,476 | $33,737,010 | $4,137,997 | $29,599,013 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $23,239,349
- Program service revenue
- $989,011
- Investment income
- $2,551,692
- Royalties
- $41,998
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $1,678,507
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$53,033
- Other revenue
- -$10,583
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $987,094
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $515,919
- Other salaries and wages
- $8,329,442
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $11,204,539
- Professional fundraising fees
- $179,929
- Legal fees
- $8,895
- Accounting fees
- $16,000
- Occupancy
- $116,569
- Travel
- $165,232
- Depreciation
- $104,683
- Program services (functional)
- $14,873,354
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,581,595
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,487,377
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $35,761,953
- Total assets, end of year
- $44,968,379
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $4,306,856
- Net assets, end of year
- $40,661,523
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $2,083,248
- Publicly traded securities
- $37,612,856
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $34,891,312
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $5,770,211
- Gross receipts
- $41,931,937
- Employees
- 174
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 1982
- State of legal domicile
- DC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT WEISSMAN | CO-PRESIDENT Officer | 31 | $227,928 | $70,775 | $54,396 |
| LISA GILBERT | CO-PRESIDENT Officer | 20 | $111,927 | $111,927 | $36,346 |
| DAVID ARKUSH | DIRECTOR, ENERGY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $184,144 | $0 | $48,668 |
| AMANDA FLEMING | DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 35 | $158,734 | $21,210 | $48,459 |
| ALLISON ZIEVE | GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 33 | $157,743 | $35,052 | $34,270 |
| TYSON SLOCUM | DIRECTOR, ENERGY Highest-paid employee | 25 | $103,316 | $63,389 | $33,489 |
| PETER MAYBARDUK | DIRECTOR, ACCESS TO MEDICINE Highest-paid employee | 39.66 | $161,804 | $1,402 | $33,314 |
| NOYAN EYIGOR | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 20 | $72,219 | $72,219 | $32,376 |
| MARK CHAVEZ | DIRECTOR, CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FELLMETH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM BILDNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| GERSON SMOGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| MAYA BERRY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE SKROVAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HALPERIN | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
2 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANNIE LEONARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY CHATTERJEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT WEISSMAN | CO-PRESIDENT Officer | 33 | $235,977 | $48,333 | $50,195 |
| LISA GILBERT | CO-PRESIDENT Officer | 25 | $124,156 | $76,096 | $32,948 |
| ALLISON ZIEVE | GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 34 | $159,281 | $28,108 | $41,414 |
| SID WOLFE | FOUNDER, SENIOR FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $188,667 | $0 | $35,035 |
| DAVID ARKUSH | DIRECTOR, ENERGY Highest-paid employee | 38 | $171,354 | $7,140 | $44,904 |
| PETER MAYBARDUK | DIRECTOR, ACCESS TO MEDICI Highest-paid employee | 30 | $120,230 | $37,968 | $30,845 |
| NANDAN JOSHI | LITIGATION ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $155,738 | $0 | $19,625 |
| NOYAN EYIGOR | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (AS OF 4/23) Officer | 20 | $48,326 | $48,326 | $15,550 |
| JOSEPH STOSHAK | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (THRU 4/23) Officer | 20 | $41,061 | $41,061 | $8,394 |
| MARK CHAVEZ | DIRECTOR, CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FELLMETH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM BILDNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| GERSON SMOGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| MAYA BERRY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE SKROVAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HALPERIN | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY/TREASU Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNIE LEONARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY CHATTERJEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA RENFRO | DIRECTOR (THRU 1/24) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT WEISSMAN | PRESIDENT Officer | 32 | $200,376 | $47,002 | $45,146 |
| DAVID ARKUSH | DIRECTOR, ENERGY Highest-paid employee | 31 | $135,546 | $38,231 | $41,466 |
| ALLISON ZIEVE | GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 35 | $151,827 | $20,704 | $41,404 |
| LISA GILBERT | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 22 | $98,182 | $83,637 | $29,984 |
| SID WOLFE | FOUNDER, SENIOR FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $177,313 | $0 | $32,189 |
| MICHAEL CAROME | DIRECTOR, HEALTH RESEARCH GROUP Highest-paid employee | 40 | $154,099 | $0 | $40,482 |
| PETER MAYBARDUK | DIRECTOR, ACCESS TO MEDICINES Highest-paid employee | 23 | $86,234 | $62,445 | $28,327 |
| JOSEPH STOSHAK | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (THRU 4/23) Officer | 20 | $75,404 | $75,404 | $18,324 |
| MARK CHAVEZ | DIRECTOR, CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FELLMETH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM BILDNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA RENFRO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| GERSON SMOGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| MAYA BERRY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE SKROVAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HALPERIN | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNIE LEONARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY CHATTERJEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| NOYAN EYIGOR | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (AS OF 4/23) Officer | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1600 20TH ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20009-1001
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ROBERT WEISSMAN, 1600 20TH STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20009
- Signed the 990
- ROBERT WEISSMAN, CO-PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (202) 588-1000
- Website
- WWW.CITIZEN.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CALIBRE CPA GROUP PLLC
Mission
WORK FOR CONSUMER RIGHTS.
Program accomplishments
- ENERGY PROGRAM - THE ENERGY PROGRAM PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE PUBLICON THE THREAT OF CATASTROPHIC CLIMATE CHANGE, THE DANGERS OF NUCLEARAND FOSSIL FUELS, AND THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO ADVANCE ENERGYEFFICIENCY AND DEVELOP RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES.Expenses $4,093,335 · grants $289,570
- PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION - THE FOUNDATION IS ACTIVE IN EVERY PUBLIC FORUM - CONGRESS, THE COURTS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND THE NEWS MEDIA. THE FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT FULL DISCLOSURE OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION EMPOWERS CITIZENS AND CONSUMERS. ALL OF THE FOUNDATION'S COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS AIM TO MAKE INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTH CARE, TRANSPORTATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, INTERNATIONAL TRADE, NUCLEAR WASTE AND REACTOR SAFETY, RENEWABLE ENERGY, GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY AND RELATED ISSUES ACCESSIBLE TO ORDINARY CITIZENS. IF NECESSARY, THE FOUNDATION USES THE COURTS TO ENSURE FAIR ACCESS TO INFORMATION.Expenses $3,563,433 · grants $179,500
- LITIGATION GROUP - LITIGATION GROUP ATTORNEYS HAVE ARGUED LANDMARK LAWSUITS ON BEHALF OF CITIZENS IN FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THEIR EFFORTS TO REPRESENT PRINCIPLED, RATHER THAN PROFITABLE, POSITIONS IN LEGAL DISPUTES HAVE PRESERVED THE VITAL CHECKS AND BALANCES OF THE SEPARATION OF POWERS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PREVENTED THE DESTRUCTION OF PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS, AND FORCED REGULATORY AGENCIES TO ISSUE IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS.Expenses $2,346,724 · revenue $211,175
- HEALTH RESEARCH GROUP - THE HEALTH RESEARCH GROUP FIGHTS FOR SAFE FOODS, DRUGS, AND MEDICAL DEVICES; FOR UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE; AND FOR FULL DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT WILL EMPOWER CONSUMERS AND INFORM THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH CARE DECISIONS.Expenses $1,227,951
- PC TEXAS - PC TEXAS INFORMS TEXANS ON IMPORTANT ENERGY, TRADE, CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, ETHICS, TRANSPORTATION, AND UTILITY ISSUES.Expenses $1,110,573 · grants $384,924
- GLOBAL TRADE WATCH - ACTING ON ITS BELIEF THAT SO CALLED "FREE TRADE" TREATIES COST U.S. JOBS, REDUCE WAGES, UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS, AND JEOPARDIZE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, GLOBAL TRADE WATCH PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON THE DAMAGING IMPACT OF THE CORPORATE PUSH FOR GLOBALIZATION THROUGH TREATIES SUCH AS THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) AND THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) AGREEMENTS.Expenses $192,420 · grants $10,000
- ACCESS TO MEDICINES - PUBLIC CITIZEN'S ACCESS TO MEDICINES GROUP WORKS WITH PARTNERS WORLDWIDE TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND SAVE LIVES, THROUGH USE OF PHARMACEUTICAL COST-LOWERING MEASURES INCLUDING GENERIC COMPETITION. THEY HELP CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES OVERCOME PATENT-BASED AND OTHER DRUG MONOPOLIES. THEIR WORK CHALLENGES BIG PHARMA'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL POWER.Expenses $761,510 · grants $90,000
- PUBLICATIONS - THE FOUNDATION PUBLISHES BOOKS, PERIODICALS, SPECIAL REPORTS, AND EXPERT COMMENTARY ON CURRENT ISSUES IN HEALTH AND SAFETY, THE LAW, ENERGY POLICY, CLIMATE CHANGE, TRANSPORTATION, AND GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.Expenses $1,252,258 · revenue $778,288
- CONGRESS WATCH - CONGRESS WATCH PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON THE INFLUENCE OF SPECIAL INTEREST DOLLARS THAT CORRUPT THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND ON CORPORATE WELFARE EXPENDITURES THAT LARD THE FEDERAL BUDGET; ON A WIDE RANGE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES, INCLUDING HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS, ACCESS TO THE COURTS, AND FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATION.Expenses $325,150 · grants $33,100
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 52-1263996
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1992
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Public and societal benefit (W70Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $44,968,379
- Income (IRS master file)
- $41,931,937
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $26,769,469 | $17,942,326 | $44,968,379 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $14,844,863 | $17,865,500 | $35,761,953 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $13,389,271 | $18,066,747 | $33,737,010 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $18,677,601 | $15,678,059 | $35,119,846 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 52-1263996).
Questions about PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC
- What is the EIN of PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC is 52-1263996.
- Is PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1992.
- Are donations to PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names ROBERT WEISSMAN.
- Who are the officers and directors of PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 17 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $227,928 (ROBERT WEISSMAN, CO-PRESIDENT).
- How much revenue does PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $26,769,469, expenses of $17,942,326 and total assets of $44,968,379 at year end.
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