CFA is a research, advocacy, education, and service organization.
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. Today, nearly 200 of these groups participate in the federation and govern it through their representatives on the organization’s Board of Directors.
As a research organization, CFA investigates consumer issues, behavior, and attitudes through surveys, focus groups, investigative reports, economic analysis, and policy analysis. Our research findings are published in reports that assist consumer advocates and policymakers as well as individual consumers. They provide an important basis for the policy positions and work of the organization.
As an advocacy organization, CFA works to advance pro-consumer policies on a variety of issues before Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and the courts. We communicate and work with public officials to promote beneficial policies, oppose harmful ones, and ensure a balanced debate on issues important to consumers.
As an education organization, CFA disseminates information on consumer issues to the public and news media, as well as to policymakers and other public interest advocates. To do so, we utilize reports, books, brochures, news releases, press conferences, a newsletter, conferences, forums, and this website. Of special importance are the on-line newsletter CFAnews Update, and three annual conferences – Consumer Assembly, Financial Services Conference, and the National Food Policy Conference.
As a service organization, CFA supports both individuals and organizations. We serve individuals primarily through the America Saves and Veterans Saves campaigns—programs CFA founded in 2000 to motivate, encourage, and support low- to moderate-income households in saving money, reducing debt, and building wealth. For organizations, especially our member groups, CFA offers several resources: the monthly CFAnews Update, three annual conferences (Food Policy, Consumer Assembly, and Financial Services), a State and Local Resource Center, and our annual Awards Celebration that honors outstanding achievements in public service, consumer advocacy, and the media.
