2015-04-06T17:02:50-05:00 2014-05-31 KPMG LLP 345 Park Avenue New York NY 101540102 990 2013-06-01 131776434 Consumers Union of United States Inc % MR MICHAEL MARTIN CPA CONS 9143782000 101 TRUMAN AVENUE Suite YONKERS NY 107031057 ERIC WAYNE VP AND CFO 9143782000 2015-04-06 true KPMG LLP P00431862 9143782000 2013 2016-02-25 16:41:14Z CONSUMER REPORTS Marta L Tellado 101 TRUMAN AVENUE YONKERS NY 107031057 277489350 false X WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG X 1936 NY TO WORK FOR A FAIR, JUST AND SAFE MARKETPLACE FOR ALL CONSUMERS AND TO EMPOWER CONSUMERS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. 17 17 736 17 2342294 785061 25458990 30449815 233148459 236178000 -981487 913536 1665763 1722296 259291725 269263647 530269 616708 0 0 92084495 91254010 112969 54846 9262289 162827676 166822338 255555409 258747902 3736316 10515745 381407574 419900241 261569862 253271426 119837712 166628815 X TO WORK FOR A FAIR, JUST AND SAFE MARKETPLACE FOR ALL CONSUMERS AND TO EMPOWER CONSUMERS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. false false 216350799 517008 236178000 CONSUMER INFORMATION, PRODUCT INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND GRANTS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. 216350799 true true false true false false false false false false true false false false true true false true false false true true false true false false false true false true true false false false false false false false false false false true false false false true true true true false false true 373 0 true 736 true true true true CA false false false true true false false false false X 17 17 false false false false false true false true true false true true true true true true true true true true false AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IL KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI X X MR MICHAEL MARTIN CPA 9143782000 101 TRUMAN AVENUE YONKERS NY 107031057 DIANE ARCHER VICE CHAIR 2.0 X MARCIA ARONOFF DIRECTOR 2.0 X ROBERT E BAENSCH DIRECTOR 2.0 X DEBORAH COWAN TREASURER 2.0 X WALTER BRISTOL CHAIR 2.0 X ANTHONY B ITON DIRECTOR 2.0 X CAROL IZUMI DIRECTOR 2.0 X ANNETTE LOVOI DIRECTOR 2.0 X CRAIG NEWMARK DIRECTOR 2.0 X HEATHER C MCGHEE DIRECTOR 2.0 X ED MIERZWINSKI DIRECTOR 2.0 1.0 X WILLARD P OGBURN DIRECTOR 2.0 X MARTIN SCHNEIDER DIRECTOR 2.0 1.0 X MICAH SIFRY DIRECTOR 2.0 X THOMAS C VOICE SECRETARY 2.0 X THOMAS WATHEN DIRECTOR 2.0 X BETSY SCOLNIK DIRECTOR (AS OF 10/18/13) 2.0 X BARBARA FRIEDMAN DIRECTOR (UNTIL 10/18/13) 2.0 1.0 X STEVE HILL DIRECTOR (UNTIL 5/31/14) 2.0 X JAMES A GUEST PRESIDENT AND CEO 40.0 2.0 X 594495 0 64026 RICHARD GANNON CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 40.0 2.0 X 427479 0 72009 ERIC WAYNE VP, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.0 2.0 X 253286 0 56534 RAHUL BELANI VP, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER 40.0 X 375575 0 65299 LIAM MCCORMACK VP, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR 40.0 X 344379 0 53440 MICHAEL D'ALESSANDRO VP AND CHIEF OF STAFF 40.0 X 288751 0 62997 LINDA TEPEDINO VP, HUMAN RESOURCES 40.0 X 298838 0 50825 CHRISTOPHER MEYER VP, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS 40.0 X 282621 0 59119 CHRISTIAN NIMSKY VP&GM, DIGITAL INTERACTIVE 40.0 X 416065 0 53475 BRENT DIAMOND VP&GM, MAGAZINE AND NEWSLETTER 40.0 X 349135 0 54282 EILEEN HERSHENOV VP, GENERAL COUNSEL 40.0 2.0 X 334007 0 70165 PAIGE AMIDON LITMAN VP, HEALTH 40.0 X 275575 0 57177 KIMBERLY KLEMAN EDITOR IN CHIEF, CR MAGAZINE 40.0 X 348112 0 46980 MICHAEL PALAZZO SENIOR ART DIR UNTIL 10/24/13 40.0 X 279015 0 19070 DIANE SALVATORE SR DIR, CONTENT STRATEGY & DEV 40.0 X 255817 0 19655 LAURENCE BUNIN COO UNTIL 05/31/2013 40.0 X 776323 0 33881 5899473 0 838934 276 true true false GOOGLE INC 1600 AMPHITHEATRE PARKWAY MOUNTAIN VIEW CA 94043 SEARCH ENGINE MARKET 9590417 COMMUNICATION DATA SERVICES 1901 BELL AVENUE DES MOINES IA 50315 FULFILLMENT SERVICES 7076154 BROWN PRINTING 2300 BROWN AVENUE WASECA MN 56093 PRINTING 4270124 ACXIOM CORPORATION 601 E THIRD STREET LITTLE ROCK AR 72201 INFORMATION TECHNOLO 2764717 QUAD GRAPHICS N61 W23044 HARRYS WAY SUSSEX WI 53089 PRINTING 2598459 121 5117094 25332721 147796 30449815 SUBSCRIPTION, NEWSSTAND & OTHER 511120 134555538 134555538 ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION SALES 519100 101294206 98951912 2342294 TESTING 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RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED true true true 1220 true 76326 true 231641 false true 548517 true 70252 false 927956 false SCHEDULE C, PART II-B LINE 1A: VOLUNTEERS TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS AND STATE LEGISLATURES; SPEAK AT PRESS CONFERENCES REGARDING STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION; LOBBY LEGISLATORS. LINE 1B - PAID STAFF OR MANAGEMENT: PLEASE SEE BELOW ACTIVITIES, AS STAFF AND MANAGEMENT ARE INCLUDED IN THOSE ACTIVITIES AND TOTALS LINE 1C - MEDIA ADVERTISEMENTS: MEDIA SPACE PURCHASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA. LINE 1D - MAILING TO MEMBERS, LEGISLATORS, OR THE PUBLIC: ACTION ALERTS TO THE PUBLIC. LINE 1E - PUBLICATIONS, OR PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST STATEMENTS: LOBBYING MESSAGES REGARDING LEGISLATION THAT APPEAR IN CONSUMER REPORTS AND ITS OTHER PUBLICATIONS. LINE 1F - GRANTS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR LOBBYING PURPOSES: GRANTS TO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND IN STATES WHERE WE ARE WORKING. LINE 1G - DIRECT CONTACT WITH LEGISLATORS, THEIR STAFFS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, OR LEGISLATIVE BODY: LETTERS, FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATIONS, EMAILS, TELEPHONE CALLS WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS, INCLUDING PREPARATION AND TRAVEL TIME, LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY. LINE 1H - RALLIES, DEMONSTRATIONS, SEMINARS, CONVENTIONS, SPEECHES, LECTURES, OR ANY SIMILAR MEANS: SPEECHES, RALLIES, CONFERENCES WHERE CU STAFF SUPPORTS OR OPPOSES STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION PUBLICLY. 11935255 11935255 66486773 34448519 32038254 231590 162841 68749 15132753 11389921 3742832 51245884 41379936 9865948 57651038 57815 CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY 8445852 OTHER LIABILITY 699578 DEFERRED RENT 90942 PENSION LIABILITY 19495138 LIABILITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMEN 5717793 LIFETIME SUBSCRIBER LIABILITY 1430000 CRUT LIABILITY 1220003 37157121 X 305205000 25811015 10524390 36335405 268869595 394112 -60 394052 269263647 258413000 57403 57403 258355597 394112 -1807 392305 258747902 RECONCILIATION OF REVENUE SCHEDULE D, PART XI, LINE 2D CONSUMERS UNION ACTION FUND, INC. ................$ 59,127 UNREALIZED GAIN ON INTEREST RATE SWAP ............$ 702,101 PENSION RELATED CHANGES ..........................$ 9,642,425 CHANGE IN VALUE OF SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENT ......$ 120,737 ----------- TOTAL ............................................$ 10,524,390 =========== PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ROUNDING.................$ (60) =========== RECONCILIATION OF EXPENSES SCHEDULE D, PART XII, LINE 2B EXPENSES OR RELATED ENTITY - CONSUMERS UNION ACTION FUND, INC. ...................$ 57,171 EXPENSES OF RELATED ENTITY - TRUMAN AVENUE FOUNDATION, INC .......................$ 232 --------- TOTAL ...............................................$ 57,403 ========= PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ROUNDING ..................$ (1,807) ========= FIN 48 UNCERTAINTY IN TAXES PART X, LINE 2 Under the provision of section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, consumers union of United States, inc. [cu] is exempt from taxes on income, except for unrelated business income. For the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, provisions for income taxes were $340,000 and $133,000, respectively. In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, CU evaluated its tax position and determined that all are more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Accordingly, CU believes that there are no unrecognized benefits or applicable interest and penalties that should be recorded. CU's tax returns for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 are subject to examination by federal, state and local authorities. true Europe (Including Iceland and Greenland) Grantmaking Publication and inform 50000 Europe (Including Iceland and Greenland) Program Services Publication informatio 1234300 North America Program Services Publication informatio 1226637 2510937 2510937 Europe (Including Iceland and Greenland) General Support 50000 WIRE ACCRUAL 1 Al Consumidor, A.C North America false false false false false false SCHEDULE F, PART 1, LINE 2 Grantees are required to submit program and financial reports at the conclusion of the project, including a list of grant-related expenditures, and a summary of deliverables and project results. The timing of the reports is determined according to a schedule contained in an executed sub-grant agreement between CU and the grantee. PART I, LINE 3, COLUMN (F) AND PART II, LINE 1 THE ACCRUAL METHOD OF ACCOUNTING WAS USED IN PART I, LINE 3, COLUMN (F) AND PART II, LINE 1. X X X X X true Donor Services Group TELE MARKETING false 88269 54846 33423 88269 54846 33423 AL AK AR CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IL KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI true Consumer Federation of America 1620 I Street NW - Suite 200 Washington DC 20036 161774332 501(C)(3) 80000 State and local grants program for US consumer org anizations. Consumer Federation of America 1620 I Street NW - Suite 200 Washington DC 20006 161774332 501(C)(3) 25000 Support State and Local travel to CFA Roundtable and Consumer Assembly. USPIRG Education Fund 218 D Street SE 1st Floor Washington DC 20003 521384240 501(C)(3) 35000 General support for National Consumer back-up Cent PATIENT SAFETY AND HEALTH ACQUIRED INFECTIONS CALIFORNIA PAN-ETHNIC HEALTH NETWORK 654 THIRTEENTH STREET OAKLAND CA 94612 520880625 501(C)(3) 204706 SUPPORT HEALTH COALITION. HEALTH ACCESS FOUNDATION 414 13TH STREET SUITE 450 OAKLAND CA 94612 131945149 501(C)(3) 159302 SUPPORT FOR HEALTHCARE COALITION. NATIONAL PHYSICIAN ALLIANCE 888 16TH STREET SUITE 800 WASHINGTON DC 20006 270137846 501(C)(3) 10000 SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND POLICY WORK TO CURB OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN FARM ANIMALS KENTUCKY EQUAL JUSTICE CENTER 201 W SHORT STREET SUITE 310 LEXINGTON KY 40507 610909545 501(C)(3) 25000 General Operating Support 6 SCHEDULE I, PART I, LINE 1 The criteria for selecting projects for funding through the Colston E. Warne small grants program including the following: - The projects should be consistent with CU's mission to provide information and advice to consumers on goods, services, health and personal finance; and to initiate and cooperate with individual and group efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of life for consumers. - The projects should be high impact projects that provide a significant return for the amount of money invested. They should be result-oriented, and have tangible goals and objectives. - The organization sponsoring the project should have a clear plan for developing alternate sources of funding, so that the project can become self-supporting and continue when the grant period ends. - If possible, the projects should be replicable, and provide a model for organizing and advocacy on other consumer and public interest issues, or in other locations. - We are especially interested in projects that provide direct benefits to low-income and minority consumers. - Where possible, projects should obtain matching funds and /or leverage in-kind resources from other sources. - The projects should make sense in the context of the needs and opportunities of the overall consumer movement. They should contribute to capacity-building of organizations, and help sustain the consumer movement. - CU's purposes must be measured in terms of the benefits indirectly realized by thousands of consumers who are better informed or better served as a consequence of the work which the money supports. " (Consumer Reports, March, 1958, P. 163) " - Because our funds are limited, our operating strategy is to identify prospective grantees and invite them to apply. Almost all grants are awarded to pre-selected organizations. SCHEDULE I, PART II Grantees are required to submit program and financial reports at the conclusion of the project, including a list of grant-related expenditures, and a summary of deliverables and project results. The timing of the reports is determined according to a schedule contained in an executed sub-grant agreement between CU and the grantee. X X true true X X X X X true true false false false false false true false JAMES A GUEST PRESIDENT AND CEO 577190 0 0 0 17305 0 43000 0 21026 0 658521 0 0 0 LAURENCE BUNIN COO UNTIL 05/31/2013 214557 0 56913 0 504853 0 26487 0 7394 0 810204 0 0 0 RICHARD GANNON CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 406106 0 11000 0 10373 0 39233 0 32776 0 499488 0 0 0 RAHUL BELANI VP, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER 353443 0 8002 0 14130 0 35023 0 30276 0 440874 0 0 0 LIAM MCCORMACK VP, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR 335216 0 7812 0 1351 0 33150 0 20290 0 397819 0 0 0 EILEEN HERSHENOV VP, GENERAL COUNSEL 317416 0 7702 0 8889 0 32390 0 37775 0 404172 0 0 0 PAIGE AMIDON LITMAN VP, HEALTH 264246 0 2640 0 8689 0 26901 0 30276 0 332752 0 0 0 MICHAEL D'ALESSANDRO VP AND CHIEF OF STAFF 272843 0 8000 0 7908 0 27829 0 35168 0 351748 0 0 0 LINDA TEPEDINO VP, HUMAN RESOURCES 281103 0 8000 0 9735 0 28035 0 22790 0 349663 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER MEYER VP, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS 267592 0 9000 0 6029 0 27023 0 32096 0 341740 0 0 0 ERIC WAYNE VP, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 233588 0 14033 0 5665 0 23758 0 32776 0 309820 0 0 0 CHRISTIAN NIMSKY VP&GM, DIGITAL INTERACTIVE 309033 0 28000 0 79032 0 23199 0 30276 0 469540 0 0 0 BRENT DIAMOND VP&GM, MAGAZINE AND NEWSLETTER 327712 0 17000 0 4423 0 21613 0 32669 0 403417 0 0 0 KIMBERLY KLEMAN EDITOR IN CHIEF, CR MAGAZINE 169869 0 0 0 178243 0 17113 0 29867 0 395092 0 0 0 MICHAEL PALAZZO SENIOR ART DIR UNTIL 10/24/13 105502 0 2601 0 170912 0 0 0 19070 0 298085 0 0 0 DIANE SALVATORE SR DIR, CONTENT STRATEGY & DEV 231195 0 22350 0 2272 0 8926 0 10729 0 275472 0 0 0 SEVERANCE PAYMENTS AND UNQUALIFIED PLAN BENEFITS SEVERANCE PAYMENTS: LAURENCE BUNIN - $499,334 KIMBERLY KLEMAN - $161,283 MICHAEL PALAZZO - $130,050 PARTICIPATION IN A SUPPLEMENTAL NONQUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN - DEFERRED COMPENSATION JAMES GUEST - $17,500 RICHARD GANON - $13,733 LAURENCE BUNIN - $5,813 LIAM MCCORMACK - $7,650 MICHAEL D'ALESSANDRO - $2,329 LINDA TEPEDINO - $2,535 CHRISTOPHER MEYER - $1,523 RAHUL BELANI - $9,523 EILEEN HERSHENOV - $6,890 PAGE AMIDON LITMAN - $1,401 PART I, LINE 1a Personal travel and housing benefits were provided to the VP & General Manager of Digital Interactive Products, and VP, Chief Information Officer. These amounts were treated as taxable compensation and disclosed on Schedule J, Part II, Column B(iii). Part I, Line 7 Sched. J COLUMN B (II) BONUS & INCENTIVE CONTRACTUAL DISCRETIONARY COMPENSATION BONUS (MERIT) RICHARD GANNON $11,000 $11,000 ERIC WAYNE $14,033 $14,033 LAURENCE BUNIN $56,913 $56,913 CHRISTIAN NIMSKY $28,000 $25,000 $ 3,000 LIAM MCCORMACK $ 7,812 $ 7,812 MICHAEL D'ALESSANDRO $ 8,000 $ 8,000 LINDA TEPEDINO $ 8,000 $ 8,000 CHRISTOPHER MEYER $ 9,000 $ 9,000 BRENT DIAMOND $17,000 $17,000 RAHUL BELANI $ 8,002 $ 8,002 EILEEN HERSHENOV $ 7,702 $ 7,702 MICHAEL PALAZZO $ 2,601 $ 2,601 PAGE AMIDON LITMAN $ 2,640 $ 2,640 DIANE SALVATORE $22,350 $15,000 $ 7,350 A CITY OF YONKERS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 131776434 986083BN2 2005-12-22 47300000 MULTI-MODAL CIVAL FACILITY REVENUE false false false A 3500000 0 43800000 0 0 0 1207321 1066734 0 9980132 35045813 0 2006 true false true true A false false false false 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 false false false false A false false true true true MORGAN STANLEY 30.5 false false false 0 false false A false Part II, Line 11 - Other Spent Proceeds $35,045,813 of bond proceeds were used to refund bonds issued in 1989, 1991, and 1995. X 14 147796 FAIR MARKET VALUE false true false FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4 CONSUMERS INFORMATION: CONSUMERS UNION OF US INC. PUBLISHES AND DISSEMINATES INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO CONSUMERS REGARDING TOPICS SUCH AS CONSUMER GOODS, SERVICES, HEALTH AND PERSONAL FINANCE. THE NUMBER OF PAID SUBSCRIBERS FOR EACH AS OF 5/31/14 INCLUDE CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE 3,969,186; CONSUMER REPORTS ON HEALTH 618,290; CR ONLINE 3,208,355; CONSUMER REPORTS MONEY ADVISER 142,617; AUTO PREMIUM 129,747; AND SHOP SMART 325,522. CONSUMERS UNION OF US INC. DOES NOT ACCEPT OUTSIDE ADVERTISING IN ANY OF ITS PUBLICATIONS. IN ADDITION, CONSUMERS UNION OF US INC. DISSEMINATES CONSUMER INFORMATION THROUGH OTHER PRINT, RADIO, TELEVISION, ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA. Product Information: Consumers Union of US Inc. conducts independent and impartial tests and analyses on a wide range of consumer products and services, such as electronics, appliances, household products, insurance, recreational goods, and cars. The tests and surveys evaluate how the products and services perform and advise consumers on the extent to which they are convenient, safe, and economical. During the fiscal year ended 5/31/14, Consumers Union of US Inc. conducted tests and evaluations on more than 3400 models of various consumer products, making use of about 50 laboratories and its auto track. The information gathered as result of these tests is disseminated to the general public as described above. EDUCATION PROGRAMS: CONSUMERS UNION IS TRANSITIONING TOWARD A MORE FOCUSED EFFORT TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS IN THE CRITICAL AREAS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY. NEW INITIATIVES INCLUDE PROGRAMS INTENDED TO PROVIDE BETTER COMPARATIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICAL INFORMATION AS WELL AS PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ALERT CONSUMERS TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DANGEROUS PRODUCTS. IN ADDITION, CONSUMERS UNION PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL FREE CONSUMER EDUCATION INFORMATION AS A PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH OUR EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES AND THROUGH AN EXPANDING USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND BLOGS. CONSUMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES INCLUDE: THE CONSUMERS UNION ADVOCACY WEB SITE (CONSUMERSUNION.ORG), CONSUMER REPORTS BEST BUY DRUGS (CRBESTBUYDRUGS.ORG), CONSUMER HEALTH CHOICES (CONSUMERHEALTHCHOICES.ORG), HEALTH LAW HELPER (HEALTHLAWHELPER.ORG) SPANISH LANGUAGE CONSUMER EDUCATION MATERIALS, AT ESPANOL.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG & ASEGURATUSALUD.ORG. CONSUMER REPORTS GREENER CHOICES (GREENERCHOICES.ORG), AND ECO-LABELS, AN ONLINE GUIDE TO ENVIRONMENTAL LABELS (ECO-LABELS.ORG). SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: HEALTH INFORMATION: CONSUMERS UNION'S HEALTH RATINGS CENTER AND HEALTH IMPACT PROGRAMS (WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/CRO/HEALTH/INDEX.HTM) CONTINUE TO EXPAND CONSUMER REPORTS' RATINGS OF HOSPITALS, PRIMARY-CARE DOCTORS, HEART SURGERY GROUPS, HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS, DRUGS, TREATMENTS, AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES TO PROVIDE THE BEST COMPARATIVE DATA ON HEALTH CARE WITH A FOCUS ON SAFETY, QUALITY, AND VALUE. THE RATINGS CENTER HAS WORKED WITH REGIONAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT COLLABORATIVES TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE DATA WITH THE INTENT OF PROVIDING CONSUMERS WITH IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND USING THE MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE. THE RATINGS CENTER RECENTLY JOINED THE ABIM FOUNDATION AND LEADING SPECIALTY MEDICAL SOCIETIES IN THE "CHOOSING WISELY" CAMPAIGN, WHICH AIMS TO EDUCATE PHYSICIANS AND CONSUMERS ABOUT TESTS AND TREATMENTS THAT ARE COMMONLY OVERUSED. IT IS ALSO COLLABORATING WITH THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS IN A CAMPAIGN CALLED HIGH VALUE CARE, WHICH COMMUNICATES ABOUT HIGH-VALUE, COST-CONSCIOUS HEALTH CHOICES. BOTH CHOOSING WISELY AND HIGH VALUE CARE RESOURCES ARE DISSEMINATED THROUGH CR'S HEALTH IMPACT PARTNER NETWORK. THROUGH ITS "BEST BUY DRUGS" PROGRAM, CONSUMER REPORTS RECENTLY PUBLISHED SEVERAL UPDATED REPORTS ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, INCLUDING ONE ON DRUGS TO TREAT PSORIASIS, ANOTHER ON HEART FAILURE DRUGS, AND A CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE COVER STORY ON PAIN MEDICATIONS, IN ADDITION TO ARTICLES ON DRUG SAFETY AND "OFF-LABEL" USE. THE HEALTH IMPACT PROGRAM IS DEVELOPING NEW PARTNERSHIPS IN AN EFFORT TO REACH A WIDER RANGE OF CONSUMER AUDIENCES-FOR EXAMPLE, VIA PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS AND ANOTHER WITH REGIONAL EMPLOYER COALITIONS. ALL BEST BUY DRUGS AND CHOOSING WISELY REPORTS ARE TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH. CONSUMERS UNION AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT GUIDE, WRITTEN BY THE HEALTH REFORM TEAM, HAS PLAYED A UNIQUE ROLE IN EDUCATING CONSUMERS REGARDING WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW HEALTH LAW, THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. SINCE THE LAW'S PASSAGE WE HAVE PRODUCED FOUR SEPARATE GUIDES TO THE CHANGES MADE BY THE LAW, EXPLAINING THEM IN A CONSUMER-FRIENDLY, EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND MANNER. TO DATE WE'VE DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION HARD COPIES OF THE VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS AND SHARED THE INFORMATION ONLINE AT YOURHEALTHSECURITY.ORG/THE_NEW_LAW. THE GUIDES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH. WE PRODUCED A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THE HEALTH PREMIUM TAX CREDITS IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND DISTRIBUTED 15,000 COPIES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, AS WELL AS PRODUCED THE CONTENT IN AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE TOOL (HEALTHTAXCREDITTOOL.ORG). OUR HEALTH LAW HELPER TOOL (HEALTHLAWHELPER.ORG) HAS REACHED MORE THAN HALF A MILLION VISITORS AND PROVIDES PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE ON HEALTH INSURANCE AND THE NEW LAW. SAFETY: OUR FOOD SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY CENTER CONTINUES ITS WORK TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ABOUT FOOD SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS MARKETPLACE PRACTICES THAT MISLEAD CONSUMERS. THAT WORK INCLUDES A THREE-MONTH CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE THE MISLEADING AND UNVERIFIED "NATURAL" LABEL, AND TO SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION PRACTICES LIKE FAIR TRADE, ANIMAL WELFARE, AND ORGANIC, LOOKING AT WHICH CLAIMS IN THOSE AREAS TRULY MEET CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS AND WHICH DON'T. UNLIKE THE NATURAL LABEL, CREDIBLE LABELS ARE UNDERWRITTEN BY MEANINGFUL AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND ARE VERIFIED. THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE CAPPED BY A PUBLIC EVENT HIGHLIGHTING PROBLEMS WITH THE "NATURAL" LABEL ON FOOD AND OTHER PRODUCTS. EXPERT PANELS WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUES, AND WE ARE INVITING KEY STAKEHOLDERS AMONG THE CONSUMERS, NONPROFITS, FOUNDATIONS, MEDIA, CHEFS, AND FOOD COMPANIES THAT SHARE A COMMON INTEREST IN SETTING A HIGH BAR FOR THE MARKETPLACE. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PART IV, LINE 12 CONSUMERS UNION OF UNITED STATES, INC. IS AUDITED IN COMBINATION WITH ITS RELATED ORGANIZATIONS: CONSUMERS UNION ACTION FUND, INC. [EIN: 20-4780406] AND TRUMAN AVENUE FOUNDATION, INC. [EIN: 20-5665599], ALTHOUGH SEPARATE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE NOT ISSUED FOR CONSUMERS UNION OF UNITED STATES, INC., A CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT WAS ISSUED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 2014, WHICH WAS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAAP. FORM 990 REVIEW PROCESS PART VI, LINE 11 The 990 is prepared utilizing the assistance of our independent financial auditor, KPMG. The related services from KPMG are approved by the audit committee as part of the audit approval process. After the 990 is prepared by CU finance department with coordination with KPMG, it is reviewed by controller and CFO before it is reviewed and approved by the audit committee. A copy of the 990 is then provided to the board of directors prior to its filing. CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMPLIANCE PROCESS FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 12C CONSUMERS UNION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO FILL OUT AND SIGN A DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST STATEMENT AND ATTESTATION OF COMPLIANCE EACH YEAR. BOARD MEMBERS' FORMS ARE REVIEWED BY A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD; STAFF MEMBERS' FORMS ARE REVIEWED BY AN OUTSIDE INDEPENDENT REVIEWER, AND, IF CONFLICTS CANNOT BE RESOLVED, BY A STAFF CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMMITTEE. PROCESS FOR DETERMINING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 15 CU'S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ATTRACT, ENGAGE, AND RETAIN HIGHLY TALENTED AND DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS WHO POSSESS THE PREREQUISITE SKILLS AND DEMONSTRATED PERFORMANCE NECESSARY TO FULFILL ITS MISSION. THE PROGRAM IS STRUCTURED TO PROVIDE TOTAL COMPENSATION DIRECT AND INDIRECT THAT SUPPORTS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CU'S STRATEGIC AND OPERATING GOALS AND IS REASONABLY COMPETITIVE TO WHAT IS OFFERED BY COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. CU ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINS AN EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM THAT QUALIFIES FOR A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION OF REASONABLENESS AND PERIODICALLY REVIEWS ITS EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TO ENSURE ONGOING ALIGNMENT WITH ITS STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FINANCIAL LIMITS. TO ENSURE ITS EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION IS CONSISTENT WITH THIS COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY, CU: - CLEARLY IDENTIFIES A SURVEY PEER GROUP AND PROTOCOL FOR BENCHMARKING AND DETERMINING THE REASONABLENESS OF TOTAL COMPENSATION IN RELATION TO MARKET NORMS FOR SIMILAR EXECUTIVE POSITIONS; - ENGAGES AN INDEPENDENT AND QUALIFIED COMPENSATION CONSULTANT TO PERIODICALLY COMPILE AND ANALYZE COMPETITIVE MARKET COMPENSATION FOR SIMILAR EXECUTIVES IN ORGANIZATIONS COMPARABLE TO CU; - PROVIDES REASONABLY COMPETITIVE TOTAL COMPENSATION CONSISTENT WITH MARKET NORMS AND PERFORMANCE RESULTS IN ANY GIVEN YEAR; AND - PERIODICALLY EVALUATES AND REALIGNS PERFORMANCE MEASURES TO CONFORM TO CHANGING STRATEGIC GOALS AND OTHER BUSINESS NEEDS. ENSURES THAT THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM IS CONSISTENT WITH CU'S MISSION AND TAX-EXEMPT STATUS AND THAT COMPENSATION IS BOTH COMPETITIVE AND REASONABLE IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ("THE BOARD"), ITS COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE ("THE COMMITTEE"), AND CU'S PRESIDENT. THE COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHO DO NOT HAVE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH REGARD TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. THE BASIS FOR THE DECISIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE MINUTES OF EACH COMMITTEE MEETING. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND GOVERNING DOCUMENTS FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 19 CONSUMERS UNION'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON ITS WEBSITE, WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG. OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. MEMBERS, STOCKHOLDERS FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 7A CONUSMERS UNION IS A NEW YORK STATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION. THE MEMBERS ARE ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A PAID ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO CONSUMER REPORTS OR CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG., WHO DOES ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: (1) GIVES NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE OF MEMBERSHIP; (2) SENDS IN A NOMINATION FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; OR (3) RETURNS TO CU, THE BALLOT TRANSMITTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. POWERS OF MEMBERS: 1. MEMBERS CAN ELECT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; 2. THE ANNUAL REPORT OF CONSUMER REPORTS MUST BE PRESENTED TO MEMBERS; 3. THE MEMBERS MUST MEET AT LEAST ANNUALLY; 4. BY-LAWS OF THE ORGANIZATION MAY BE ADOPTED, AMENDED, OR REPEALED BY MEMBERS; 5. MEMBERS MAY DEMAND TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING IF AT LEAST 10% OF THE MEMBERS CALL FOR A MEETING WITHIN TWO TO THREE MONTHS IN THE FUTURE. OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS OR FUND BALANCE PART XI, LINE 9 UNREALIZED GAIN INTEREST RATE SWAP 702,101 PENSION RELATED CHANGES 9,642,425 CHANGE IN VALUE SPLIT INEREST AGREEMENT 120,737 ROUNDING (920) ----------- OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS OR FUND BALANCES 10,464,343 =========== CONSUMER MEDIA LLC 101 Truman Ave Yonkers NY 10703 263886493 EDUCATION DE 340 8555 CU CONSUMERS UNION ACTION FUND 101 TRUMAN AVENUE YONKERS NY 10703 204780406 LOBBYING DE 501(C)(4) N/A CU true THE TRUMAN AVENUE FOUNDATION INC 101 TRUMAN AVENUE YONKERS NY 10703 205665599 R/E HOLDING DE 501(C)(3) 11 - I CU true CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST (5) Annuity NY NA Trust true false false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false false