2019-02-01T13:39:23-08:00 2018-03-31 472626541 Cook & Company A Prof Actncy Corp 870 Market Street Suite 880 San Francisco CA 94102 990 2017-04-01 237172908 San Francisco Consumer Action SANF 4157779648 1170 Market Street 500 San Francisco CA 94102 Ken McEldowney Executive Director 2019-02-01 true Douglas E Cook CPAMPA P01521705 4156211112 2017 2019-02-21 02:37:17Z Ken McEldowney 1974169 false false X www.consumer-action.org X 1971 CA Consumer Action's mission is to provide consumer education and advocacy to and on behalf of consumers around the nation. 10 9 24 2 0 831434 1897240 5000 0 84088 74379 950 920522 1972569 0 0 2384953 2411061 36719 0 199561 847483 868161 3269155 3279222 -2348633 -1306653 7282610 5965339 368161 357543 6914449 5607796 X Consumer Action's mission is to provide consumer education and advocacy to and on behalf of consumers around the nation. false true 927141 MM 123 Chase Cy Press Project (total expenses: $927,141): This project helped develop and create the "Money Management 1-2-3 education modules": "Getting a Strong Start", "Achieving Financial Goals" and "Planning a Secure Future". The modules were distributed through community-based organizations around the country. Each module consists of an educational publication, a lesson plan, a trainer's manual and a PowerPoint presentation. The publications are printed, produced and translated into Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese, and are distributed for free through Consumer Action's network of 8,000 CBOs around the country. These publications cover such topics as: earning a paycheck, budget and saving, learning about credit, achieving financial goals, dealing with debt and taxes, saving and renting versus home ownership and mortgages, investing for a longer life, retirement income, home equity loans, protecting assets, long-term care insurance and medical expenses. This project has now taken over the MoneyWise Project formerly funded by Capital One, which for 14 years created innovative and educational pamphlets about banking services. The extensive MoneyWise publication list includes such topics as: "Building and Keeping Good Credit", Tracking your Money", "Manage Your Money". Banking Basics", "Rebuilding Your Credit", "Bankruptcy", "Saving to Build Wealth", "Talking to Teens About Money", "Micro Business Basics", "and "Elder Fraud". All of these publications are available for free from Consumer Action, and are available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese while supplies last. This MM123 Chase cy pres project has also launched a new series on Job Training, including a free publication on "A guide to finding the right job training school". Individuals and CBOs interested in these publications and Consumer Action's CBO training programs should contact Consumer Action at info@consumer-action.org. 383970 The IB Insurance Cy Press Project (total expenses: $383,970): Under this grant Consumer Action conducts research about consumer insurance issues, and takes positions on insurance-related regulatory and legislative proposals. The project has produced a 10-page pamphlet on Auto Insurance, The Basics, including the coverage you need, what determines how much you will pay for auto insurance, and how to file a claim. Consumer Action also provides information on California's low cost auto insurance program. 259734 The Annual Best Practices Consumer Conference (total expenses: $259,734): Every November Consumer Action organizes a "National Consumer Empowerment Conference" in the Chicago area. The aim of this "best practices" conference is to bring together consumer educators and advocates, community organizers, teachers, professors, legislators and other government officials, corporate leaders and others concerned about consumer education and the plight of the consumer in today's marketplace. The event is sponsored by many corporations and annually brings together about 80 participants from around the country. the 2017 event, the eighth annual conference, featured sessions on "Consumer Protections at Risk," "PACE Clean Energy Loans," "The Sharing Economy." "The New Consumer Surveillance," "Inspiring Youth to build Wealth," "Used Car Buyers Beware," "Fighting Financial Hurdles," "Living With Financial Volatility" and Advocates Win Access to Credit". Notable speakers were from such organizations as Public Citizen, the California Reinvestment Coalition, Legal Aid at Work, World Privacy Forum, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Center for Financial Services Innovation and GreenPath Financial Wellness. 941043 2511888 true true true true false false false false false false true false false false false false true false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 9 0 true 24 false false false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false false false false X 10 9 false false false false false false false true false false false false true true true true true false false false CA X X X X Michael Heffer 4157779648 1170 Market Street 500 San Francisco CA 94102 Patricia Sturdevant Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Sue Hestor Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Ken McEldowney Exec Dir Secretary 35.00 0.00 X X 226546 0 25343 Rosa Gonzalez-Abrego Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Dr Irene Leech Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Ben Lau Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Anna Flores Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Faith Bautista Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Sue Rogan Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Gail Sanders Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kay Pachtner Director 0.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Michael Heffer Business Mgr Controller 28.00 0.00 X 26749 0 3060 Linda Sherry National Priorities Dir. 35.00 0.00 X 155038 0 18252 Kathy Li S.F. Office Dir. 35.00 0.00 X 148546 0 18030 Nani Hansen Associate Director 0.00 0.00 X 104861 0 10571 Ruth Albert Deputy Director 0.00 0.00 X 113495 0 5675 775235 80931 5 false true false Nonprofit Tech 2214 St Paul Ave Madison WI 53704 Computer Services 100000 0 2270 152200 1742770 1897240 0 74379 74379 0 0 0 0 2550 152200 1600 950 950 0 0 0 1972569 75329 0 0 0 0 456315 325050 79436 51829 0 1572008 1244292 272158 55558 75756 60660 12520 2576 164775 129085 28777 6913 142207 111170 23996 7041 0 0 33942 33942 0 0 0 103461 54061 600 48800 0 131654 104253 23588 3813 134881 119416 14465 1000 0 177171 138968 28969 9234 54049 40717 1466 11866 0 146481 146132 349 0 0 49137 38084 8522 2531 11540 11540 Miscellaneous 27445 27445 Less: event direct expenses -1600 -1600 0 3279222 2511888 567773 199561 844769 295336 6124000 5369000 50000 104259 0 0 0 0 0 45463 56156 299239 158651 189724 140588 0 0 0 0 28654 0 7282610 5965339 309149 357543 59012 368161 357543 X 541729 168272 6372720 5439524 6914449 5607796 7282610 5965339 -1306653 X false true X true false X 2904969 5491836 2630961 831434 1897240 13756440 0 0 2904969 5491836 2630961 831434 1897240 13756440 7077156 6679284 33731 43531 56533 84089 74379 292263 0 208 208 14048911 15579 0.47540 0.51250 X false false false true false true 1965 true 3175 false true 3250 true 7500 false 15890 false false Part II-B, Line 1i - Other Activities Description Consumer Action took positions on consumer legislation, contacting legislators and their staffs by phone, e-mail, mail and in-person, and urged consumers to communicate with their legislators about proposed laws. Consumer Action utilized the computer services of Salsa Labs to promote contact on issues between citizens and the US Congress and California state legislature. Consumer Action advocated positions on Federal and California measures, covering such issues as: health insurance, financial services regulation, credit card payments and fees, universal default on credit cards, mortgage brokers, the privacy of consumer financial and medical records, predatory lending, identity theft, elder abuse, consumer warranties and food labeling and safety. Congress: lobbied consumers and legislators to support the continued existence of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal agency bill supported before congress. 222181 102145 120036 77058 56506 20552 140588 1974169 1600 1600 1972569 1972569 3280822 1600 1600 3279222 3279222 Part XI, Line 2d: Other revenue amounts included in F/S but not included on form 990 Special event expenses $1600 Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S Special event expenses $1600 X X X X X X true Carole Berke 7412 Oak Lane Chevy Chase MD 20815 Fundraising Consultant false 154750 27500 127250 154750 27500 127250 Cocktail Party 154750 152200 2550 300 1300 154750 152200 2550 300 1300 1600 950 false false false false false false false false false false Kathy Li S.F. Office Dir. 144588 3958 8160 9870 166576 Ken McEldowney Exec Dir Secretary 220761 5785 11155 14188 251889 Linda Sherry National Priorities Dir. 151248 3790 7796 10456 173290 Form 990, Part III, Line 3: Ceased Conducting or Significant Changes To Services A long-term (12 year) educational project funded by Capital One came to an end. Form 990, Part III, Line 4d: Other Program Services Description OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: The Trombley BofA Cy Pres Banking Education Project (total expenses: $109,324): This project covers research on bank payment systems, and the issues about using them that impact consumers. Funds from this general cy pres grant also cover the cost of publishing fact sheets on other banking services. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: The Credit Card Tying Cy Pres Project ($228,527): This project has produced "Questions and Answers About Secured Credit Cards", a training manual and group leader's guide designed to give community advocates and outreach workers a background on the topic so that they can counsel clients and/or lead workshops for other staff members. It is intended to be used with the brochure titled "Building and Repairing Your Credit with a Secured Credit Card," an easy-to-read introduction to the subject available in Chinese, English and Spanish. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: The Financial Literacy Project (total expenses: $106,732): Consumer Action's Financial Literacy Project has produced many fact sheets to help people be aware of their financial rights and options. These fact sheets cover opening a bank account, shopping for savings instruments and resolving complaints against financial institutions. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: Smith Cy Pres Debt Collection Education Project (total expenses: $90,123): This project focuses on the many problems consumers around the country experience when they can't pay their bills. The project has researched, written produced and translated two free basic pamphlets on: "Debtors' Rights" and the "The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act". Accompanying these publications is a "Debt Collection Lesson Plan" and a PowerPoint. These materials provide key insights into the rights that people have when they owe money and are being threatened with a lawsuit or wage garnishment. The 22-page "Debtors' Rights" pamphlet includes coverage of "Your rights when you owe a debt", When a debt collector contacts you", "Avoiding debt collection scams", "Avoiding legal actions", "Responding to a law suit", "Preparing for the Hearing" and more. During the year Consumer Action held several training sessions on these materials, to help the staff of community-based organizations to serve their clients who have payment problems. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 8: The Housing Education Project (total expenses: $70,532): The Housing Education Project works to help people become aware of their rights as tenants. It has worked with the federal housing department to make people aware of how to assert their rights when they are victims of housing discrimination. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 9: Other Projects (total expenses: $335,805): In addition to the projects mentioned above, Consumer Action produced a quarterly newsletter on consumer affairs, CA News, which the organization has been printing since 1971. The organization also conducts advocacy by researching current marketplace issues and contacting legislators and regulators about the pro-consumer position on these developments. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 10: Other Projects cont'd (total expenses: $335,805): Within the last year Consumer Action also conducted educational projects concerning: internet privacy and securacy, consumer education for veterans, medical privacy issues, and education about contact lens awareness. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process Prior to its filing, the 990 is reviewed by the Executive Director and Business Manager. It is circulated among the board of directors after filing. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts All board members are required to fill out and sign a disclosure form indicating whether or not they have or may have any conflicts of interest. On an annual basis they are asked to affirm that no conflict has arisen. This may be done verbally at a board meeting or in writing. Form 990, Part VI, Line 18: Explanation of Other Means Forms Available For Public Inspection Tax filings are posted on our website and other web sites. Copies are also available upon request or for inspection at our office. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available Governing documents, the conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available to the public upon request.