Cy Pres awards
U.S. PIRG and U.S. PIRG Education Fund, and a number of state PIRGs have been nominated by attorneys and approved by courts for past Cy Pres awards. These awards have provided funding for some of our most successful pro-consumer efforts, and have enabled us to seize opportunities to launch new initiatives.
Cy Pres awards have been used to perform research and educate the public on issues involving credit cards, credit reporting errors affecting consumers’ credit scores, and anti-competitive practices among credit card issuers. Specifically, we have researched, produced, and released a series of consumer reports, guides and tips to educate consumers on a variety of issues, including protecting one’s privacy on Facebook, how to find out about or report unsafe products, preventing identity theft, buying a cell phone, and avoiding high bank fees. The materials were distributed to tens of thousands of people and were made available to the public via email, internet, the media and direct contact.
Because our network includes 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) non-profit organizations, we are able to accept Cy Pres awards for either our direct advocacy or our educational work.
U.S. PIRG, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and the state PIRGs have been fighting powerful interests on behalf of consumers since the early 1970’s. We advocate for pro-consumer reform on a range of issues, including health care, consumer privacy, identity theft, product safety, predatory lending and financial reform.
Using research, advocacy and public education, we have succeeded despite fierce opposition from powerful interest such as banks, credit bureaus and pharmaceutical companies.
Achieving concrete victories for consumers takes dedicated advocates and organizers throughout the country, and maintaining our national network of state organizations requires funding.
If you are in a position to direct a Cy Pres award, or you would like to learn more about our work, please contact us here. We would be grateful for the support.