Cy pres awards from class action lawsuit settlements provide critical support for the Consumer Federation of America's work advancing consumer protections through our research, advocacy, and education. The cy pres doctrine allows courts to direct unclaimed, unallocated, or undeliverable settlement funds to nonprofit organizations whose work advances the interest of the class. Instead of reverting to the defendant, these funds are put to work serving the broader public interest and protecting consumers in ways consistent with the underlying lawsuit.
As a national nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1968, the Consumer Federation of America is uniquely positioned to serve as a cy pres beneficiary. CFA works to advance consumer rights across a wide range of issues that regularly intersect with class action litigation.
CFA represents nearly 250 national, state, local, co-op, and union pro-consumer organizations and we work in close collaboration with legal advocates, federal and state agencies, and grassroots partners nationwide. Our reputation as a trusted and independent consumer voice ensures that cy pres funds are directed in ways that protect the public interest and promote justice for affected consumers.
If you have questions about whether CFA may be an appropriate cy pres beneficiary in a particular case, please contact:
Emily Lindauer
Director of Development
elindauer@consumerfed.org
(202) 939-1015