Common Sense Society
Common Sense Society's mission is to promote the principles of liberty, prosperity, and beauty.
Common Sense Society at a glance
In short: Common Sense Society gave $273K across 4 grants in 2023 (avg $68K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $273,303
- -37.3% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $68,326
- -53.0% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $30,652
- Total assets
- $3,189,911
- -3.0% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (96% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2023; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Common Sense Society
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Common Sense Society
Who Common Sense Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Edmund Burke Foundation ($205K). Together the top 4 received $273K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 9 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $120K (2021) to $436K (2022). In 2023 it made 4 grants totaling $273K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Edmund Burke Foundation Washington, DC | Conference Support | $205,000 |
| Victims of Communism Remembrance Alliance Washington, DC | General Support | $49,803 |
| The Jefferson Council Richmond, VA | EVENT | $11,500 |
| The Alliance of Rhodes Scholars Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $7,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Common Sense Society?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3,189,911 | $6,672,204 | $6,841,253 | $273,303 | 4 | $415,695 |
| 2022 | $3,290,154 | $7,424,976 | $6,899,702 | $436,000 | 3 | — |
| 2021 | $544,744 | $3,516,665 | $3,369,111 | $120,000 | 2 | $-693 |
About Common Sense Society
Based on IRS filings
Common Sense Society is a public charity, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $3.2M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 4 grants totaling $273K. Net investment income was $416K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Common Sense Society is led by Marion Smith, President & C.e.o. on every filing since 2021; 8 of 11 officers listed in 2023 are compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Marion Smith
President & C.e.o.
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$306K (2021) → $254K (2023)
Thomas Peterffy
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexandre Pesey
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sophie Scruton
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Talbot
Secretary, Treasurer & Executive Vice President
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$239K (2021) → $199K (2023)
Elizabeth Stiff
Chief Communications Officer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$185K (2021) → $212K (2023)
Paige Hanson
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$36K (2021) → $182K (2023)
Joel Bowers
Vice President & Southern Us
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$129K (2022) → $183K (2023)
Austin Stone
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2023 filing
40 hrs/week
$217K (2023)
Christine Emery
Vice President & Development
New on the 2023 filing
40 hrs/week
$220K (2023)
Christopher Bedford
Senior Fellow & Editor
New on the 2023 filing
40 hrs/week
$221K (2023)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Murray Bessette (2021–2022) — Vice President of Education
- Former: Amanda Dolina (2022) — Controller
- Former: Paul Coyer (2022) — Vice President & Intl Coalitions
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $254K, to Marion Smith (President and C.E.O.). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Common Sense Society
How much does Common Sense Society give each year?
Common Sense Society gave $273K across 4 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990. In 2022 it gave $436K across 3 grants.
What is Common Sense Society's typical grant size?
Common Sense Society's median grant in 2023 was $30,652, and its average grant was $68,326, across 4 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990.
Where does Common Sense Society give grants?
Common Sense Society gives mostly in District of Columbia: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does Common Sense Society give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of Common Sense Society's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990.
How large is Common Sense Society?
Common Sense Society reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.7M.
What is Common Sense Society's EIN?
Common Sense Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-1543050. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Common Sense Society's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in District of Columbia
Smith Richardson Foundation Inc
Greensboro, NC
Smith Richardson Foundation funds research and writing on U.S. domestic public policy, national security, and foreign policy, with small direct-service grants for disadvantaged children and families in North Carolina and Connecticut. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $400,000, with a median of about $50,000; grants went mainly to organizations in Washington, DC, California, Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts. It accepts concept papers for policy projects, inviting full proposals if a project merits further consideration; direct-service grants are customarily solicited by its governors.
Assets
$557.9M
Grants
282
Total Given
$22.9M
The Heritage Foundation
Washington, DC
The Heritage Foundation funds conservative public-policy research, education, outreach, communications, and related nonprofit projects, as well as faculty research and programs aligned with its mission. Its 2024 grants ranged from $25,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $100,000; grants went to organizations in multiple states, especially Washington, D.C. Its Innovation Prize applications are currently closed, and the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests for other grants.
Assets
$413.8M
Grants
26
Total Given
$8.7M
The Community Foundation Inc
Richmond, VA
The Community Foundation funds health and wellness, education, economic prosperity, and community vibrancy, along with other causes through donor-advised and field-of-interest funds. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,100 to $1,795,000, with a median of $25,000; 78% of grant dollars went to Virginia recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$852.4M
Grants
917
Total Given
$61.8M
Guilford Foundation
Richmond, VA
The Guilford Foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including educational, religious, historical, media, and veterans’ groups, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Virginia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $200,000, with a median of $8,250. It does not accept unsolicited requests and funds only preselected organizations.
Assets
$12.9M
Grants
42
Total Given
$811K
George E Coleman Jr Foundation
New Canaan, CT
The George E Coleman Jr Foundation funds charitable organizations across varied areas, including public policy, international affairs, religion, and community activities; in 2024, grants had a median of $3,000, with awards ranging from $500 to $545,500. Most grant dollars went to Virginia, with smaller amounts going to Massachusetts, Washington, DC, Connecticut, and New York. It accepts applications by letter describing the organization and intended use of funds; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$5.8M
Grants
29
Total Given
$656K
David & Lorna Gladstone Foundation
McLean, VA
The foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including education, health, food access, homelessness services, and cultural and historical causes, with grants across the U.S., especially Washington, DC and Virginia. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $150,000, with a median of $2,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.2M
Grants
54
Total Given
$432K
More similar funders
More Funders in District of Columbia
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Common Sense Society's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Common Sense Society down — hundreds of funders to go?