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Common Counsel Foundation

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 943214166 ✦ Oakland, CA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Common Counsel Foundation?

The Common Counsel Foundation, established in 1988 and based in Oakland, California, is a grant-making nonprofit organization that invests in community leadership to address critical social, economic, and ecological challenges. With over $37 million in grants made in 2022, they support charitable organizations advancing effective solutions to longstanding social and environmental inequities. Beyond direct grant making, Common Counsel also offers strategic philanthropic advising for client member funds and manages projects focused on organizational development, leadership training, sustainability, and donor education. Their mission is to expand philanthropic resources for grassroots groups led by members of vulnerable communities and social movements, relying on two guiding principles: investing in community leadership and promoting increased collaboration through shared campaigns and long-term alliances.


Official website here: www.commoncounsel.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator rating: 87%, Three-Star out of Four Star rating.

Common Counsel Foundation has demonstrated a strong commitment to accountability and finance, achieving an overall score of 87%. This rating is primarily influenced by their excellent performance in financial metrics, indicating effective management of resources. The organization excels in areas such as board independence, financial oversight, and low liability ratios, showcasing a robust governance structure.

The foundation scores particularly high in program expenses, with an impressive program expense ratio of 96.51%, which suggests that a significant portion of their funding is directed towards their programs rather than administrative costs. Their financial health is further evidenced by a favorable working capital ratio of 2.84 years, indicating sufficient resources to cover their obligations.

However, the foundation's fundraising efficiency ratio is notably low at $0.002, which may suggest challenges in raising funds relative to their expenses. This aspect could be a limitation for potential donors looking for effective fundraising strategies. Overall, while Common Counsel Foundation shows strengths in accountability and program execution, the fundraising efficiency could be an area for improvement.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Common Counsel Foundation legitimate?

Common Counsel Foundation is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Common Counsel Foundation submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $1,452,494
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $5,053,525

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.commoncounsel.org

What is the mission statement of Common Counsel Foundation?

The Common Counsel Foundation advances equity and environmental health by making grants to charitable organizations and providing strategic philanthropic advice for client member funds. Through direct grant making, Common Counsel supported over $37 million in grants to organizations addressing longstanding social and environmental inequities in 2022. Founded in 1988, the foundation has a long-standing commitment to investing in community leadership and increasing collaboration among community-led groups. By focusing on organizational development, leadership training and sustainability, and donor education, Common Counsel aims to expand philanthropic resources for grassroots groups and amplify the effectiveness of local efforts. The foundation's strategic grantmaking is guided by two principles: investing in community leadership and promoting increased collaboration among organizations.


Official website here: www.commoncounsel.org

Who is the CEO of Common Counsel Foundation?

Peggy Saika is the Executive Director of Common Counsel Foundation.


Official website here: www.commoncounsel.org

What is the revenue of Common Counsel Foundation?

Common Counsel Foundation's revenue in 2022 was $54,978,381.


Official website here: www.commoncounsel.org

Who are the executives of Common Counsel Foundation and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Common Counsel Foundation during 2022 was $82,355. There are 79 employees and 7 volunteers at Common Counsel Foundation.


Here are 19 key members and their salaries:


Philip Smith (Chief Finance Officer)
  • Compensation: $194,189
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $32,054
Peggy Saika (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $214,583
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $7,210
Karissa Lewis (Field & Organizing Executive Lead)
  • Compensation: $188,428
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $24,423
Sarah Gort (Managing Director)
  • Compensation: $194,672
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $15,964
Jazmin Segura Monctezuma (Director, Fund For An Inclusive Ca)
  • Compensation: $191,820
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $16,002
Allistair Mallillin (Dir. Of Strategy And Asset Building)
  • Compensation: $186,208
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $6,358
M Adams (Operations And Infrastructure Exec. Lead)
  • Compensation: $161,833
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $18,750
Shanelle Matthew (Communications Director)
  • Compensation: $162,661
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $15,252
Sonya Childress (Co-Director, The Color Congress)
  • Compensation: $145,833
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $29,212
Ronnie Goines (Director Of Resource Strategy)
  • Compensation: $159,377
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $15,336
Mary Hook (National Field Secretary)
  • Compensation: $145,329
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $21,391
Sahar Driver (Co-Director, The Color Congress)
  • Compensation: $145,833
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $12,066
Alex Tom (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
China Ching (Vice Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Garrett Collins (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Vanessa Daniel (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Ed Lee (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Denis Quirin (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Carly Hare (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.commoncounsel.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Common Counsel Foundation?

Common Counsel Foundation's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.commoncounsel.org

Learn more at the official website: www.commoncounsel.org

Mission Statement of Common Counsel Foundation

Common Counsel Foundation, a grant-making organization founded in 1988, advances equity and environmental health through a strategic combination of direct grant making and philanthropic advising for client member funds. The foundation's mission is geared towards expanding philanthropic resources for grassroots groups led by members of vulnerable communities and social movements.

Common Counsel invests in community leadership to bring about meaningful solutions to critical social, economic, and ecological challenges. By partnering with families and individual donors, the foundation supports the development of community leadership and the advancement of systemic solutions defined by community members themselves. In doing so, it ensures health and equity for everyone.

Additionally, Common Counsel fosters increased collaboration through shared campaigns and long-term alliances that amplify the effectiveness of local efforts. Over the decades, these strategies have enabled groups to establish community leadership, address systemic issues, and create sustainable impacts. In 2022, the foundation made over $37 million in grants to charitable organizations that are advancing effective solutions to longstanding social and environmental inequalities.

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Impact




October, 2024

Common Counsel Foundation significantly impacts equity and environmental health by distributing over $37 million in grants to charitable organizations addressing social and environmental inequities in 2022. Their strategic and values-driven grantmaking focuses on empowering vulnerable communities and social movements through direct funding and strategic philanthropic advising.

By partnering with families and individual donors, Common Counsel enhances philanthropic resources for grassroots groups led by community members. Their approach is underpinned by two guiding principles: investing in community leadership and fostering collaboration through shared campaigns and long-term alliances. These strategies not only promote meaningful solutions to critical challenges but also enable local groups to develop leadership and implement systemic solutions defined by the communities they serve.

The foundation’s efforts have led to strengthened organizational development, leadership sustainability, and donor education, ensuring that health and equity are accessible to everyone. Through their work, Common Counsel Foundation amplifies local initiatives, ensuring that community-led solutions effectively address longstanding social, economic, and ecological issues.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Common Counsel Foundation. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$54,978,381 (2022)
Expenses
$54,119,812 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $511,751
  • Program Service Revenue: $1,521,990
  • Gross Receipts: $75,321,239

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $97,359,062
  • Total Liabilities: $3,203,674
  • Net Assets: $94,155,388

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

FISCAL SPONSORSHIP

Revenue

$1,276,386

PHILANTHROPIC SERVICES

Revenue

$245,604

Organization Details

Founding Year

1988

Principal Officer

Peggy Saika

Main Address

1624 FRANKLIN STREET 1022, OAKLAND, CA, 94612

NTEE Category

Code: S50 - Community improvement

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