COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE (CSI) IS A NON-PARTISAN RESEARCH ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE ECONOMY. AS A LEADING VOICE FOR FREE ENTERPRISE, CSI'S MISSION IS TO EXAMINE THE FISCAL IMPACTS OF POLICIES AND EDUCATE VOTERS ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT THEIR LIVES.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 6 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Social Science organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $320k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $211k
- Bonus
- $50k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $1k
- Base
- $202k
- Bonus
- $14k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $182k
- Bonus
- $18k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $2k
- Base
- $186k
- Bonus
- $8k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $144k
- Bonus
- $6k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President & 75th to 90th percentile | $320k | — | — | — | $332k $365k |
COO 75th to 90th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $211k | $50k | — | $1k | $262k $288k |
Az Exec Dire Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $202k | $14k | — | — | $216k $237k |
Co Exec Dire Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $182k | $18k | — | $2k | $203k $222k |
Co VP Policy Board Vice President Median to 75th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $186k | $8k | — | — | $197k $217k |
Dir of Devel Highest Compensated Employee 25th percentile to median | $144k | $6k | — | — | $150k $165k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 5 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE equaled 9% of the organization's total expenses. The median for social science organizations is 12%.
Based on 435 social science organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Funded by
Private foundations whose Form 990-PF Part XV grants matched this organization.
What Social Science executives earn
Comparable social science organizations nationwide pay their highest-earning executive a median of $122,500.
These are social science sector-wide figures, not this organization's reported pay. Based on 435 organizations across 435 filings (2021 – 2024).
See full Social Science compensation data →Common questions about COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE
What does the Chief Executive Officer of COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE received $332,333 in total compensation. This pay is in the top quarter for Chief Executive Officer roles among Social Science organizations nationwide, though not the top 10% of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Social Science organizations nationwide, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE falls between the 75th and 90th percentiles. In 2023, the highest total compensation at COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE equaled 9% of the organization's total expenses. The median for social science organizations is 12%.
What are COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE reported $3.9M in total revenue and $3.5M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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