Consumer Action
Consumer Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 that delivers multilingual consumer education and advocacy through 6,500+ community-based organization partners, targeting underrepresented consumers nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Consumer Action does
Consumer Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 and headquartered in San Francisco, with a secondary office in Washington, DC, established in 2004. It conducts consumer advocacy and multilingual consumer education, with publications produced in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese for distribution through a national network of more than 6,500 community-based organizations. The organization has been credited as a founding force behind the CARD Act (2009) and the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2010), and it convenes an annual Consumer Advocacy Day in Washington, DC to drive policy engagement.
Its core products are educational publications, newsletters, a consumer help desk, project sub-brands covering topics such as housing, insurance, privacy, wireless, and money management, plus an online advocacy platform backed by a 19,600+ subscriber database. The technology surface is conventional web publishing and grassroots mobilization tooling rather than a proprietary software platform. Revenue derives from a mix of federal and state government grants (notably a disclosed HUD contract of approximately $2M), cy pres awards (cumulative intake exceeding $4M), corporate partnerships including the long-running Capital One MoneyWi$e financial literacy program, and individual donations. Go-to-market is nonprofit mission-driven: the CBO partner network functions as the primary distribution channel for educational content, while policy advocacy and federal grant work anchor the revenue base.
Consumer Action firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Consumer Action
- Legal name
- Consumer Action
- Website
- https://consumer-action.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Consumer Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 that delivers multilingual consumer education and advocacy through 6,500+ community-based organization partners, targeting underrepresented consumers nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Consumer Action industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Advocacy and Education
- akta.pro primary industry
- Consumer Rights & Public Interest Advocacy (BPAGAFAK)
Keywords
Where Consumer Action is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Consumer Action business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Individual donations and charitable contributions from supporters
- Cy Pres Awards: Court-assessed penalties from consumer protection lawsuits. Consumer Action has been selected by plaintiff and defense attorneys to receive cy pres funds in dozens of cases totaling more than $4 million
- Government Grants and Contracts: Federal and state government funding including contracts from U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and California Public Utilities Commission
- Corporate Educational Partnerships: Funding and support from corporate partners for educational initiatives including the MoneyWi$e partnership with Capital One and other companies
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Consumer Action product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Consumer Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free multilingual consumer education publications, newsletters, and help desk services, and operates an online advocacy platform enabling consumers to contact policymakers. The organization distributes its materials through a nationwide network of community-based organizations and engages in regulatory and legislative advocacy on issues like banking, credit, privacy, insurance, housing, and fraud prevention.
Product overview
Consumer Action is a nonprofit consumer education and advocacy organization (501(c)(3)) that provides a comprehensive suite of educational content and services rather than a traditional technology product. The organization operates through its core publications program—offering multilingual consumer guides on topics like banking, credit, fraud prevention, money management, and privacy—and supplements these with newsletters (CA News, SCAM GRAM, Consumer Action INSIDER), a consumer help desk hotline, and an online advocacy platform (Take Action). The organization also maintains specialized projects including the Managing Money Project, Housing Information Project, Insurance Education Project, Privacy Information Project, and WirelessED, each focused on specific consumer topics. Services are delivered through community-based organization partnerships, with materials available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other languages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Multilingual Consumer Publications Consumer education materials published in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other languages covering topics including banking, credit, fraud prevention, privacy rights, money management, and telecommunications. Available for free download and through bulk orders.
- Consumer Action News (CA News) Quarterly tabloid newspaper featuring consumer news and practical guidance on financial issues, distributed to community-based organizations nationwide.
- SCAM GRAM Newsletter Monthly newsletter providing the latest information on scams and frauds, efforts to thwart bad actors, and tips for protecting consumers from fraud.
- Consumer Action INSIDER Monthly newsletter featuring news about Consumer Action staff activities, advocacy efforts, and organizational updates.
- Help Desk / Consumer Hotline Free non-legal advice and referrals on consumer issues, available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, handling complaints and providing consumer resources.
- Take Action Advocacy Platform Online advocacy platform providing consumers with information to contact national, state and local elected officials about consumer protection issues.
- Consumer Services Guide Searchable directory of resources helping consumers solve problems and get answers about their rights and how to complain effectively.
- Managing Money Project Financial literacy clearinghouse website featuring Consumer Action's multilingual educational materials on money management topics.
- Housing Information Project Program helping consumers prepare for homeownership, learn about mortgages, protect property investments, recognize housing-related scams, and avoid foreclosure.
- Insurance Education Project Education program helping consumers make wise decisions when choosing and purchasing insurance coverage.
- Privacy Information Project Program focusing on personal privacy—both online and offline—with educational materials about why it matters and how to protect personal information.
- WirelessED Website helping consumers learn about mobile voice and data services and manage their use of such services in a cost-effective way.
- Community Outreach and Training Educational materials, training, and support provided to an extensive network of community-based organizations nationwide for consumer education.
- Cy Pres Funding Program Court-assessed funding program through which Consumer Action receives cy pres awards from consumer protection lawsuits to support consumer education and advocacy work.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2 million free publications distributed per year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Consumer Action
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Consumer Action technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Consumer Action partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)coreCFPB is listed as a supporter of Consumer Action's educational work. Consumer Action advocated for creation of CFPB and continues to work with the agency on consumer protection issues.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)coreFTC is listed as a supporter of Consumer Action's educational work. Consumer Action regularly engages with FTC on fraud prevention, privacy protection, and consumer rights issues.
- Consumer Federation of AmericacoreConsumer Federation of America is both a coalition partner and supporter. Consumer Action's Ken McEldowney serves as vice president of CFA, a federation of nearly 300 pro-consumer organizations.
- National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)coreNCLC is listed as a supporter of Consumer Action's educational work. Both organizations work together on consumer protection advocacy.
- Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)minorPG&E partnered with Consumer Action to host Energy Bill Help Workshop and Discount Program Seminar in San Francisco.
- Community-Based Organizations NetworkcoreNetwork of over 6,500 CBOs across the country that distribute Consumer Action materials and conduct community education. Organization has provided mini-grants to CBO network members for innovative education and outreach efforts.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Consumer Action competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group): National consumer and public interest advocacy organization with state affiliates and strong policy/legislative focus. Direct peer operating a similar grassroots-plus-Washington advocacy model.
- National Association of Consumer Advocates: Membership organization for consumer protection attorneys; complements Consumer Action's mission through litigation and legal advocacy focused on consumer rights.
- Public Citizen: National consumer and public interest advocacy organization with broad regulatory and legislative engagement. Direct peer in advocacy, litigation, and consumer protection policy work.
- National Consumer Law Center: National nonprofit focused on consumer protection law and policy for low-income consumers. Direct peer with overlapping advocacy priorities and explicit partnership relationship with Consumer Action.
- Consumer Federation of America: Federation of nearly 300 pro-consumer organizations; Consumer Action's Ken McEldowney serves as vice president. Direct peer in national consumer advocacy, education, and coalition-based policy work.
- Center for Responsible Lending: Nonprofit focused on predatory lending, fair credit access, and financial fairness for low-income consumers. Direct peer in consumer finance advocacy and policy research.
- Americans for Financial Reform: Coalition advocating for a fair and transparent financial system, including stronger CFPB enforcement. Direct peer in financial consumer protection advocacy.
Regional players
- Woodstock Institute: Chicago-based nonprofit focused on equitable economic development and consumer finance issues for low-income communities. Regional peer with similar consumer financial empowerment focus but primarily Midwest operating geography.
Broad incumbents
- Consumer Reports: Large, established consumer advocacy and product-testing organization with broader media footprint and consumer-facing membership model. Overlaps with Consumer Action on consumer education and rights advocacy, but operates at much greater scale with subscription revenue.
Emerging players
- Financial Health Network: Nonprofit focused on financial health and inclusion for households, particularly underserved consumers. Adjacent peer working on similar financial literacy and capability-building missions with a more measurement-and-research orientation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Consumer Action social profiles
Digital presenceConsumer Action financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Consumer Action leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Consumer Action funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Consumer Action M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Consumer Action
What does Consumer Action do?
Consumer Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free multilingual consumer education publications, newsletters, and help desk services, and operates an online advocacy platform enabling consumers to contact policymakers. The organization distributes its materials through a nationwide network of community-based organizations and engages in regulatory and legislative advocacy on issues like banking, credit, privacy, insurance, housing, and fraud prevention.
Is Consumer Action a public or private company?
Consumer Action is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Consumer Action founded?
Consumer Action was founded in 1971. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Consumer Action based?
Consumer Action is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Consumer Action make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are cy Pres Awards, government Grants and Contracts and corporate Educational Partnerships.
Who are Consumer Action's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group), National Association of Consumer Advocates, Public Citizen, National Consumer Law Center, Consumer Federation of America, Center for Responsible Lending and Americans for Financial Reform. Woodstock Institute is listed as a regional player. Consumer Reports is listed as a broad incumbent. Financial Health Network is listed as an emerging player.
Does Consumer Action have an API?
No public API is recorded for Consumer Action.
What industry is Consumer Action in?
Consumer Action's product category is Consumer Advocacy and Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAK, Consumer Rights & Public Interest Advocacy.