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U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US-PIRG)

U.S. PIRG logo (link)
Website:

www.uspirg.org
Location:

Denver, CO
Tax ID:

04-2790740
DUNS Number:

60-277-2910
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2023):

Revenue: $1,332,560
Expenses: $2,026,230
Assets: $6,583,369
Type:

Nonprofit advocacy group
Formation:

1970
Founder:

Ralph Nader
President:

Faye Park

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG) is a left-of-center organization, founded by former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, that oversees a network of state-level advocacy groups also known as “PIRGs.” As the national organization for these independent state-based PIRGs, U.S. PIRG coordinates resources among its 47 state affiliates to make the “biggest impact” for its advocacy efforts. The U.S. PIRG also serves as the “federal lobbying office for state PIRGs” seeking to make left-of-center state laws into federal policy and turning l federal lobbying efforts into state laws. 1

U.S. PIRG’s administrative and financial practices have previously received criticism, specifically the PIRG campus fundraising model has been criticized for allegedly imposing hidden fees on students and then funneling those funds through the campus PIRG to both the state PIRG and the U.S. PIRG, leaving little money on campus where the funds were generated. 1 Ralph Nader, along with lawyer Donald Ross, sought “to put into place a model based on the work of their book Action for a Change: A Student’s Manual for Public Interest Organizing. With Nader serving as founder and Ross visiting college campuses for recruitment, the concept of public interest research groups, or PIRGs…[came] to fruition.”1

In 1977, the PIRGs created their first national association, National PIRG Clearinghouse, which dissolved in 1979.1  Then in 1983, “several state PIRGs formed U.S. PIRG, a federation of state PIRGs and the national advocacy office.”1

Ties to Barack Obama

Around 1984, a year after graduating from college, Barack Obama, the future 44th President of the United States, “was hired by the New York Public Interest Research Group,” where he served as “a full-time organizer at City College in Harlem,” to mobilize student volunteers.”1 1

Advocacy

Opposition to Nuclear Energy

US PIRG opposes nuclear energy and in 2011 asked the Obama administration to put a halt construction of new nuclear reactors and to suspend re-licensing of some of the existing nuclear fleet. 12

Nuclear power plants produce no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions, and as of 2021 accounted for 20 percent of American electricity production—the largest source of zero carbon electricity in the United States. 13 An October 2018 proposal from The Nature Conservancy noted that zero-carbon nuclear plants produced 7.8 percent of total world energy output and recommended reducing carbon emissions by increasing nuclear capacity to 33 percent of total world energy output. 14

Lobbying

U.S. Public Interest Research Group, as the “national office,” has traditionally been known as the “federal lobbying office for the state PIRGs.” “Lobbying by U.S. PIRG has focused on taking state PIRG initiatives to the national level.” For example, U.S. PIRG took bank legislation supported by MASSPIRG and NYPIRG and advocated for the creation of similar federal policy. Similarly, when U.S. PIRG’s efforts to pass federal legislation fail, they rely on state PIRGs to fight for state laws. 1

Between 2012 and 2017, U.S. PIRG spent over $725k on federal lobbying expenses. 1  As of 2003, Radley Balko indicated that ten percent of campus PIRG funds were funneled to U.S. PIRG’s national chapter.25 This also includes roughly $819K in membership dues and another $1.68 million in contributions. In 2022, revenue came in the form of $730K in membership dues and $602K in contributions. 26

U.S. PIRG Structure & Relation to U.S. PIRG Education Fund

The U.S. PIRG is a distinct legal entity from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. U.S. PIRG refers to this group, as its “sister C3.”1

Under this structure, the student PIRG (U.S. PIRG Education Fund) is a 501(c)(3) organization that can accept public funds but is limited in its ability to lobby, but the state PIRGs and U.S. PIRG are organized under 501(c)(4), meaning they cannot accept public funds but can lobby without limit.1

In addition to its work with the PIRG organization, the Fund has been criticized as a mechanism through which “groups such as Environment America, Sierra Club, and the Human Rights Campaign primarily outsource grassroots organizing.”34

Douglas H. Phelps is the chair of the U.S. PIRG board, as well as both the president and executive director of the Public Interest Network. He previously worked as the director of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) and was the head of the public interest careers program at Harvard Law School. 35

References

  1. Editors: Brobeck, Stephen & Mayer, Robert N. “Watchdogs and Whistleblowers: A Reference Guide to Consumer Activism.” Santa Barbara, California. Greenwood. 2015. Accessed July 19, 2017. https://books.google.com/books?id=uUUMCgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false.
  2. Balko, Radley. “Opinion: Nader Scams College Kids.” Fox News. March 13, 2003. Accessed July 19, 2013. http://www.foxnews.com/story/2003/03/13/nader-scams-college-kids.html.
  3. About.” PIRG. Accessed October 30, 2025. https://pirg.org/about/
  4. Trevor LaFauci. “Before Bernie: How Ralph Nader Created a System to Exploit Young, Idealistic Progressives.” The Peoples View Blog. May 24, 2016. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.thepeoplesview.net/main/2016/5/24/naders-failure-how-the-public-interest-network-exploits-young-idealistic-progressives.
  5. Rosiak, Luke. “The Liberal Sweatshop.” The Daily Beast. July 15, 2009. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-liberal-sweatshop.
  6. Jamieson, Dave. “Liberal Advocacy Group Comes Out Against Obama’s Big Overtime Rule.” Huffington Post. May 23, 2016. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/obama-overtime-rule_us_57431db8e4b045cc9a7178cd.
  7. Mark Hemingway. “Barack’s PIRG Past.” National Review. September 16, 2008. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.nationalreview.com/article/225685/baracks-pirg-past-mark-hemingway.
  8. Scott, Janny. “Obama’s Account of New York Years Often Differs From What Others Say.” The New York Times. Oct. 30, 2007. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/us/politics/30obama.html?pagewanted=print.
  9. “About U.S. PIRG.” U.S. PIRG. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.uspirg.org/page/usp/about-us-pirg-0.
  10. “U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US-PIRG), Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer”. Propublica. Accessed August 31, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42790740/202141339349304154/full
  11. “U.S. PIRG Fellowships.” Tufts Political Science Posting. Last Modified Feb. 10, 2016. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://as.tufts.edu/politicalscience/sites/all/themes/asbase/assets/documents/opportunities/careerDevUSpirgFellowship.pdf.
  12. “NEWS RELEASE: NUCLEAR POWER, NOT WORTH THE RISK.” U.S. Public Interest Resource Group. March 29, 2011. Accessed November 23, 2021. https://uspirg.org/news/usp/nuclear-power-not-worth-risk
  13. “Nuclear explained.” U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed November 23, 2021. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/us-nuclear-industry.php>
  14. “The Science of Sustainability.” The Nature Conservancy. October 13, 2018. Accessed November 23, 2021. https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/the-science-of-sustainability/
  15. “Lobbyists representing U.S. PIRG, 2012-2017” OpenSecrets, Center for Responsive Politics. 2012-2017. Accessed July 19, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/lobby.php?id=D000058093.
  16. “Lobbying Data Summary • OpenSecrets.” Open Secrets. Accessed October 30, 2025. https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/bills?cycle=2025&id=D000058093
  17. “S.3830 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Fair Repair.” Congress.gov. Accessed October 30, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3830.
  18. “H.R.906 – 118th Congress (2023-2024): Repair Act.” Congress.gov. Accessed October 30, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/906/all-actions.
  19. “H.R.410 – 118th Congress (2023-2024): Health Care Price Transparency Act.” Congress.gov. Accessed October 30, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/410.
  20. “Lobbyists representing U.S. PIRG, 2000-2025” OpenSecrets, Center for Responsive Politics. 2000-2025. Accessed October 30th, 2025. https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/lobby.php?id=D000058093.
  21. “Lobbyists representing U.S. PIRG, 2012-2017” OpenSecrets, Center for Responsive Politics. 2012-2017. Accessed July 19, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientbills.php?id=D000058093&year=2017.
  22. “Lobbyists representing U.S. PIRG, 2022-2025” OpenSecrets, Center for Responsive Politics. 2022-2025. Accessed November 3rd, 2025. https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientbills.php?id=D000058093&year=2017.
  23. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: U.S. Public Interest Research Group.” Guidestar. 2014. Accessed July 18, 2017.  https://www.guidestar.org/profile/04-2790740.
  24. “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: U.S. Public Interest Research Group.” Guidestar. 2013. Accessed July 18, 2017. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/04-2790740.
  25. United States Public Interest Research Group, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2005-2024, Part I.
  26. United States Public Interest Research Group, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023-2024, Part VIII.
  27. “U.S. PIRG.org Home: Our Sister (C)(3).” U.S. PIRG. Undated. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.uspirg.org/home.
  28. “We Are the Public Interest Network.” Public Interest Network. Undated. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.publicinterestnetwork.org/.
  29. “About U.S. PIRG Education Fund.” U.S. PIRG Education Fund. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.uspirgedfund.org/page/usf/about-us-pirg-education-fund.
  30. “U.S. PIRG Staff: Andre Delattre.” U.S. PIRG. Undated. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.uspirg.org/staff/xxp/andre-delattre.
  31. Delattre, Andre. “U.S. PIRG: Statement on the Overtime Rule.” U.S. PIRG. May 18, 2016. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.uspirg.org/news/usp/statement-overtime-rule.
  32. Higgins, Sean. “Liberal nonprofit federation opposes new overtime rule.” The Washington Examiner. May 23, 2016. Accessed July 19, 2017. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/liberal-nonprofit-federation-opposes-new-overtime-rule/article/2592069.
  33. “This “Progressive” Non-profit Wants To Continue Exploiting Its Employees.” Medium Blog. May 23 , 2016. Accessed July 19, 2017. https://medium.com/@publicinterestprimer/this-progressive-non-profit-wants-to-continue-exploiting-its-employees-5b3819902bc4.
  34. “Faye Park.” Public Interest Research Group, accessed October 28, 2025. https://pirg.org/people/faye-park/
  35. “Douglas H. Phelps.” USPIRG, accessed October 28, 2025. https://pirg.org/people/our-staff-doug-phelps/
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: December 1, 1984

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2023 Jun Form 990 $1,332,560 $2,026,230 $6,583,369 $6,625,481 N $1,332,560 $0 $0 $0
    2022 Jun Form 990 $1,577,136 $2,672,435 $5,431,497 $4,779,939 N $1,577,136 $0 $0 $91,320
    2021 Jun Form 990 $816,754 $2,200,539 $4,910,943 $3,061,759 N $816,753 $0 $1 $82,743
    2020 Jun Form 990 $1,917,738 $2,858,762 $5,229,664 $2,104,806 N $1,917,746 $0 $10 $96,628
    2019 Jun Form 990 $3,095,590 $2,690,058 $6,143,191 $1,994,020 N $2,909,510 $180,321 $58 $75,338 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $2,095,841 $2,648,859 $5,891,469 $2,040,327 N $2,051,178 $44,097 $566 $81,237 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $1,237,868 $1,950,533 $5,156,977 $683,688 N $1,117,233 $78,800 $1,310 $69,951 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $1,333,347 $1,538,861 $7,297,156 $2,083,009 N $1,051,359 $153,545 $4,082 $76,168 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $1,328,490 $1,048,376 $7,220,674 $1,735,219 N $1,187,686 $25,916 $8,729 $70,740 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $1,473,459 $1,508,634 $5,590,658 $397,279 N $840,036 $495,769 $33,945 $63,477 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $2,820,533 $2,436,825 $5,649,442 $420,888 N $2,446,339 $250,973 $2,924 $57,789 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $2,102,961 $1,424,128 $5,434,433 $617,827 N $1,529,870 $416,793 $22,033 $64,284 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $2,118,535 $1,785,524 $4,532,852 $390,523 N $1,049,952 $951,257 $7,208 $77,353 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US-PIRG)

    1543 Wazee Street
    Denver, CO 80202