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United States Public Interest Research Group Inc at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

United States Public Interest Research Group Inc

Operate exclusively for the promotion of social welfare by undertaking the following activities: (a) to identify problems and advocate solutions in the areas of: (1) consumer protection; (2) environmental preservation; (3) protection against discrimination on the basis of illegal or unjust criteria; (4) corporate and governmental…

$223k
Granted FY2025still arriving
4
Grants FY2025still arriving
4
States reached
$100k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Environment$1.0MCivil Rights$500kPublic Benefit$456kCommunity Improvement$211kInternational$160kSocial Science$60kYouth Development$25kHealth$15kOther$0
02FY2025 · 4 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • $10k–50k2 grants · $59k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $164k
$64,000
Median grant
4
States reached
$7.8M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE$100,000
NEW YORK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC$64,000
OREGON STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP$49,000
COPIRG CITIZEN LOBBY$10,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY17–25) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 98% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%ARIZONA PIRG: $186k → 11%Small Business Majority Fndtn: $15k → 8%Social Good Fund: $10k → 9%California Public Int Res-: $20k → 12%NEW YORK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $64k → 17%TEXPIRG: $350k → 10%Jubilee USA Network: $110k → 14%OREGON STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP: $49k → 12%Environment America Inc: $1.0M → 12%WASHINGTON STATE PIRG INC: $21k → 9%Illinois State Public Int Res: $10k → 14%NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE: $100k → 19%NYPIRG: $8k → 17%Fair Share Inc: $40k → 14%OREGON SATE PIRG INC: $15k → 12%COPIRG CITIZEN LOBBY INC: $15k → 12%WASHINGTON STATE PIRG INC: $15k → 9%Peoples Action Institute: $40k → 14%Jubilee USA Network: $30k → 14%COPIRG CITIZEN LOBBY: $10k → 12%Jubilee USA Network: $20k → 14%COPIRG CITIZEN LOBBY INC: $10k → 12%POGO Action Inc: $33k → 14%Fund for Constitutional Govt: $200k → 14%Fund for Constitutional Govt: $55k → 14%Fund for Constitutional Govt: $50k → 14%Working Families: $10k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
IL
NY
OR
CA
CO
MD
AZ
DC
TX
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

24%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$600k · 5 repeat orgs$1.9M to everyone else

5 repeat relationships: 2 still active in FY2025, 3 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

5
11

Total granted

$600k
$1.7M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

-25%
+13%

Still filing today

100%
91%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 26% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $164k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’23’24’25
Community ImprovementPublic BenefitEnvironmentCivil RightsInternationalSocial ScienceOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • FF
    FUND FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
    3× · 2018–2020 · $305k · revenue +111%
  • JU
    JUBILEE USA NETWORK
    3× · 2017–2020 · $160k · revenue -42% · 38% of their budget
  • OS
    OREGON STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC
    2× · 2023–2025 · $64k · revenue +16%

Funded once

  • EA
    ENVIRONMENT AMERICA INC
    one grant, 2018 · $1.0M · revenue -17%
  • TP
    TEXAS PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC
    one grant, 2024 · $350k · revenue -89% · 89% of their budget
  • AP
    ARIZONA PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC
    one grant, 2024 · $186k · 86% of their budget
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
United States Public Interest Research Group Inc

Operate exclusively for the promotion of social welfare by undertaking the following activities: (a) to identify problems and advocate solutions in the areas of: (1) consumer protection; (2) environmental preservation; (3) protection…

—
2
United States Public Interest Research Group Education Fund Inc

The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes as allowed by section 501c3 of the internal revenue code, including, for such purposes, identifying, researching, analyzing, and pursuing…

Public Benefit
3
Partners for Public Good

PPG is a non-partisan, not-for-profit team of doers, coaches, and advisors focused on making government work for its people. We help state and local governments optimize and streamline the most important work that they do: deliver public…

Community Improvement
4
New Mexico Public Interest Research Group Education Fund Inc

The Corporation is organized for the purposes of enhancing the social welfare of all New Mexicans through advocacy on issues of environmental and public concern. This objective shalll be achieved by the following means: (A) The corporation…

—
5
Maryland Public Interest Research Foundation Inc

With public debate around important issues often dominated by special interests pursuing their own narrow agenda, Maryland PIRG Foundation offers an independent voice that works on behalf of the public interest. Maryland PIRG Foundation…

—
6
Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group Inc

The purpose of the corporation is to promote social welfare within the meaning of Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. The corporation's activities may include public education, research, litigation, and advocacy on issues…

Public Benefit
7
Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group Inc

Our team of researchers uncovers the facts; our staff brings our findings to the public through media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates bring the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers.

—
8
North Carolina Public Interest Research Group Citizen Lobby Inc

The purpose of the corporation is to identify, research and analyze problems affecting the public interest and social welfare, and to engage in advocacy, education and litigation in furtherance of the public interest.

—
9
Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group Inc

Pennsylvania public interest group delivers persistent, result oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair and sustainable economy, and fosters a democratic government.

Public Benefit
10
Colorado Public Interest Research Foundation Inc

The corporation is organized exclusively for educational and research purposes within the meaning of section 501c3 of the internal revenue code of 1954 (or corresponding provisions of any future u.s internal revenue law), including for…

—
11
California Public Interest Research Group Edu Fund

The purpose of the corporation is to engage in public education within the meaning of section 501c3 of the internal revenue code. the corporations activities may include public education, research, and litigation on issues affecting the…

Recreation & Sports
12
North Carolina Public Interest Research Group Educ Fund Inc

The purpose for which this corporation is organized is: To act on behalf of the public interest by means of charitable, educational, or any other activities within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Within these…

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Oregon State Public Interest Research Group Inc; the most unlike its peers is Jubilee Usa Network. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

19 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

3
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
19/19
Grantees still filing
9/19
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ENVIRONMENT AMERICA INC: $1,000,000 · EnvironmentENVIRONMENT AMERICA INCARIZONA PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $186,000 · OtherARIZONA PUBLIC INTEREST…NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE-GROUP: $100,000 · OtherNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FO…OREGON STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $64,000 · OtherOREGON STATE PUBLIC INT…NEW YORK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $64,000 · OtherNEW YORK PUBLIC INTERES…WASHINGTON STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP: $36,000 · OtherWASHINGTON STATE PUBLIC…COPIRG CITIZEN LOBBY INC: $35,000 · OtherCOPIRG CITIZEN LOBBY IN…CALPIRG INC: $20,000 · Other+2 more: $18,000 · OtherTEXAS PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $350,000 · Civil RightsTEXAS PUBLIC IN…FUND FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT: $305,000 · Public BenefitFUND FOR CONSTI…PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT INC: $33,084 · Public BenefitPROJECT ON GOVE…JUBILEE USA NETWORK: $160,000 · InternationalPEOPLE'S ACTION INSTITUTE: $40,000 · Community ImprovementSMALL BUSINESS MAJORITY FOUNDATION INC: $15,000 · Community ImprovementPOWERSWITCH ACTION: $10,000 · Community ImprovementFAIR SHARE INC: $40,000 · Social ScienceSOCIAL GOOD FUND INC: $10,000 · Education
Environment$1,000,000Other$523,000Civil Rights$350,000Public Benefit$338,084International$160,000Community Improvement$65,000Social Science$40,000Education$10,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetENVIRONMENT AMERICA INC: $1,000,000 over 1y, 5.5% of budgetTEXAS PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $350,000 over 1y, 89% of budgetFUND FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT: $305,000 over 3y, 6.0% of budgetARIZONA PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $186,000 over 1y, 86% of budgetJUBILEE USA NETWORK: $160,000 over 3y, 38% of budgetOREGON STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $64,000 over 2y, 2.4% of budgetFAIR SHARE INC: $40,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetPEOPLE'S ACTION INSTITUTE: $40,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetWASHINGTON STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP: $36,000 over 2y, 3.8% of budgetCOPIRG CITIZEN LOBBY INC: $35,000 over 3y, 2.1% of budgetPROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT INC: $33,084 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetSMALL BUSINESS MAJORITY FOUNDATION INC: $15,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetILLINOIS STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP INC: $10,000 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetSOCIAL GOOD FUND INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPOWERSWITCH ACTION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetNEW YORK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP FUND INC: $8,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Energy Action FundSixteen Thirty FundThe Ford FoundationFidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Energy Action FundCA15.6× affinity5 shared granteesties to 4 of 4Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Energy Action Fund · Sixteen Thirty Fund · The Ford Foundation · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization United States Public Interest Research Group Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from United States Public Interest Research Group Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%6%23%51%90%funder's share of their income ↑0%1%3%4%5%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    2get no government money at all
    1report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–5%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to United States Public Interest Research Group Inc?

    Find your warmest path to United States Public Interest Research Group Inc through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 19 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on United States Public Interest Research Group’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home