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Common Sense Society

WASHINGTON, DC EIN: 86-1543050 Website

COMMON SENSE SOCIETY'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY, PROSPERITY, AND BEAUTY.

Financial Overview

From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$3.2M

-3.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$273K

-37.3% YoY

Grant Count

4

+33.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$68K

-53.0% YoY

About Common Sense Society

Based on IRS filings

Common Sense Society is a nonprofit organization, 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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Cities

AnnapolisCharlottesvilleRichmondWashingtonWest Palm Beach

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$4M$6M$8M202120222023
Metric202320222021
Total Assets$3,189,911$3,290,154$544,744
Revenue$6,672,204$7,424,976$3,516,665
Expenses$6,841,253$6,899,702$3,369,111
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income$415,695$-693
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$109K$218K$327K$436K2 grants20213 grants20224 grants2023

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2023

EDMUND BURKE FOUNDATION$205KVICTIMS OF COMMUNISM REM…$50KTHE JEFFERSON COUNCIL$12KTHE ALLIANCE OF RHODES S…$7K

Grant Size Distribution

9 grants across all recorded years

6<$50K$50–100K2$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

6 open opportunities from Common Sense Society

Show all 6 →

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Edmund Burke Foundation ($205,000), Victims of Communism Remembrance Alliance ($49,803), The Jefferson Council ($11,500).

RecipientPurposeAmount
EDMUND BURKE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DCCONFERENCE SUPPORT$205,000
THE ALLIANCE OF RHODES SCHOLARS INC WASHINGTON, DCGENERAL SUPPORT$7,000
THE JEFFERSON COUNCIL RICHMOND, VAEVENT$11,500
VICTIMS OF COMMUNISM REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WASHINGTON, DCGENERAL SUPPORT$49,803

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2023 IRS filing

MARION SMITHPRESIDENT AND C.E.O.$254KCHRISTOPHER BEDFORDSENIOR FELLOW & EDITOR$221KCHRISTINE EMERYVICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT$220KAUSTIN STONECHIEF OPERATING OFFICER$217KELIZABETH STIFFCHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER$212KDAVID TALBOTSECRETARY & TREASURER, EXECU…$199KJOEL BOWERSVICE PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN US$183KPAIGE HANSONCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER$182K

From 2023 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
THOMAS PETERFFYDIRECTOR1
MARION SMITHPRESIDENT AND C.E.O.50$254,160
DAVID TALBOTSECRETARY & TREASURER, EXECUTIVE VP50$198,563
SOPHIE SCRUTONDIRECTOR1
ALEXANDRE PESEYDIRECTOR1
PAIGE HANSONCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER40$182,000
AUSTIN STONECHIEF OPERATING OFFICER40$216,667
ELIZABETH STIFFCHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER40$211,505
CHRISTINE EMERYVICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT40$220,000
JOEL BOWERSVICE PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN US40$183,000
CHRISTOPHER BEDFORDSENIOR FELLOW & EDITOR40$221,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is Common Sense Society?

As of 2023, Common Sense Society holds $3.2M in total assets with $6.7M in annual revenue. It awarded 4 grants totaling $273K in 2023.

Where does Common Sense Society operate?

Common Sense Society has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Virginia.

What size grants does Common Sense Society award?

In 2023, Common Sense Society awarded 4 grants totaling $273K — an average of about $68K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

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.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Common Sense Society's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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