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Research and Public Policy : Social and Public Policy Research

Creative Commons

A Culture of Sharing

three stars

89.05

PO Box 1866 Mountain View, CA 94042
tel: (415) 429-6753   Web Site
EIN: 04-3585301

Board Leadership
Molly van Houweling
Chair

CEO
Ryan Merkley
CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 89.05 three stars
  Financial 89.11 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 89.00 three stars
This rating was published 06/01/2018 and includes data from FY2016, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Our vision is nothing less than realizing the full potential of the Internet — universal access to research and education, full participation in culture — to drive a new era of development, growth, and productivity. Creative Commons develops, supports, and stewards legal and technical infrastructure that maximizes digital creativity, sharing, and innovation. The idea of universal access to research, education, and culture is made possible by the Internet, but our legal and social systems don't always allow that idea to be realized.

Our vision is nothing less than realizing the full potential of the Internet — universal access to research and education, full participation in culture — to drive a new era of development, growth, and productivity. Creative Commons develops, supports, and stewards legal and technical infrastructure that maximizes digital creativity, sharing, and innovation. The idea of universal access to research, education, and culture is made possible by the Internet, but our legal and social systems don't always allow that idea to be realized.

Impact Information

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Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

89.11

Accountability & Transparency

three stars

89.00

This rating was published 06/01/2018 and includes data from FY2016, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 81.9%
  Administrative Expenses 10.2%
  Fundraising Expenses 7.8%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.04
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 2.98
  Program Expenses Growth -8.6%
  Liabilities to Assets 2.6%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Creative Commons on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Creative Commons on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Creative Commons (CA) 89.05 three stars
Center on Policy Initiatives (CA) 91.91 four stars
PolicyLink (CA) 88.22 three stars
Commonwealth Foundation (PA) 88.36 three stars
Organic Farming Research Foundation (CA) 87.24 three stars

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REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $12,441,433
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $123,554
Total Contributions $12,564,987
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $12,564,987
   Other Revenue $-1,220
TOTAL REVENUE $12,563,767
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $2,608,085
   Administrative Expenses $340,775
   Fundraising Expenses $393,686
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $3,342,546
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $9,221,221
   
Net Assets $10,536,827

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Due to an error on this organization's Form 990, we are unable to display program information.

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2016-12 06/01/2018 89.05 three stars
2015-12 07/01/2017 85.38 three stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 87.04 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2013-12 07/01/2015 89.05 three stars
2012-12 04/01/2014 85.60 three stars
2011-12 06/01/2013 98.71 four stars
2010-12 04/01/2012 76.87 two stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 04-3585301
Name in IRS Master File CREATIVE COMMONS CORPORATION
NTEE Code B70
NTEE Classification Libraries
NTEE Type Educational Institutions and Related Activities
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date August, 2002
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
  • December, 2013

The data displayed in this profile is provided by the IRS for free in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title Compensation from Affiliates
Not compensated -- Ryan Merkley Chief Executive Officer $214,077
Other Salaries of Note
$182,460 5.45% Diane Peters General Counsel --
$143,608 4.29% Cable Green Director of Open Education --
$128,100 3.83% Trevor Seethaler Director of Finance --

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Creative Commons (CA) 89.05 three stars
Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (DC) 88.74 three stars
Public Agenda (NY) 91.81 four stars
Mackinac Center (MI) 92.22 four stars
Foundation for Defense of Democracies (DC) 89.22 three stars

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Charity Contact Info

Creative Commons
PO Box 1866
Mountain View, CA 94042
tel: (415) 429-6753
EIN: 04-3585301

Mail donations to:
P. O. Box 741107
Los Angeles, CA 90074

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Molly van Houweling
Chair

CEO

Ryan Merkley
CEO

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