Brookings Institution is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, District of Columbia, registered in 1940, with $109,029,264 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 86% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$109.0M
▲ 21.9% vs prior year
Social Science median: $380K
Expenses (FY2023)
$102.3M
Net assets
$487.8M
Employees
615
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Brookings Institution: 86% to programs · $6 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Brookings Institution: 57 mo reserves · +6% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Brookings Institution: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Brookings Institution: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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To conduct in-depth, independent research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society
Global economy and development:the global economy & development (global) program offers innovative policy solutions and tools to help global, national, and local policymakers build more equitable and sustainable economic systems that deliver prosperity and well-being for all. global's interdisciplinary team of experts provides thought leadership, cutting-edge research, and innovative solutions that inform policy and international cooperation in thematic areas including harnessing technology for inclusive growth and development; development finance; forecasting trends; global education and skills development; and multilateralism and international cooperation.
Foreign policy:the foreign policy program conducts research, analysis and convening in order to inform public understanding and policy dialogue concerning the most pressing geopolitical and security issues facing the u.s. and the world. in addition to the program regularly hosting events, foreign policy scholars have published a number of reports and books while also making appearances on the pages and airwaves of major news and policy outlets across the political spectrum in the u.s. and around the globe.
Governance studies:the governance studies program at brookings is dedicated to analyzing policy issues, political institutions and processes, and contemporary governance challenges. our scholarship identifies areas in need of reform and proposes specific solutions with the goals of improving the performance of the national government, informing debate, and providing stakeholders with expert analysis and ideas to ensure better institutional governance. governance studies experts focus on areas ranging from election processes, to privacy and artificial intelligence, to the legislative process, to global anti-corruption efforts. in addition to publishing myriad works of written scholarship, governance studies held a number of events open to the public on these and other timely topics.
Revenue grew from $106.5M (FY2013) to $109.0M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
6.2%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$551.0M
Total liabilities
$63.2M
Net assets
$487.8M
Salaries & benefits
$73.2M
72% of expenses
Board members
47
47 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $109,029,264▲21.9% | $102,320,791▲3.5% | $487,840,013▲3.1% | $550,992,155▲2.5% | 990 |
| 2022 | $89,444,146▼25.1% | $98,831,178▲12.5% | $472,993,012▲1.4% | $537,645,383▲1.6% | 990 |
| 2021 | $119,341,951▲75.8% | $87,855,233▲2.5% | $466,476,079▼8.0% | $528,999,178▼6.9% | 990 |
| 2020 | $67,901,806▼14.5% | $85,684,378▼9.8% | $507,135,002▲16.3% | $568,244,186▲15.4% | 990 |
| 2019 | $79,395,655▼23.5% | $94,943,466 | $435,964,164▼7.5% | $492,547,778▼6.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $103,852,338▲7.2% | $94,913,486▼4.1% | $471,349,372▼0.7% | $529,123,659▼0.5% | 990 |
| 2017 | $96,886,932▼14.2% | $98,957,742▼1.1% | $474,783,117▲1.8% | $531,848,060▲1.3% | 990 |
| 2016 | $112,894,566▲3.2% | $100,059,312▼4.4% | $466,482,008▲12.6% | $525,211,269▲10.8% | 990 |
| 2015 | $109,394,429▲2.8% | $104,635,286▼3.0% | $414,287,137▼1.6% | $473,918,510▼1.7% | 990 |
| 2014 | $106,387,190▼0.1% | $107,926,103▲8.4% | $420,909,140▼5.0% | $482,069,162▼2.8% | 990 |
| 2013 | $106,526,578 | $99,568,985▲2.9% | $443,238,012▲9.6% | $496,001,963▲7.2% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $96,726,329▲2.9% | $404,239,681▲6.0% | $462,634,222▲5.9% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $93,962,754▲5.7% | $381,308,062▲7.6% | $436,930,915▲6.6% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $88,922,671▼1.7% | $354,443,190▲18.4% | $410,039,317▲13.9% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $90,434,735 | $299,330,056 | $360,062,494 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Amy Liu Witmer — $732,928 (0.72% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Liu Witmer | President (thru 12/23)/pres. Advisor/sr. Fellow | 40 | $732,928 |
| Jonathan D Schwartz | General Counsel | 40 | $621,950 |
| William Gale | Sr Fllw & Dir, Tax Policy | 40 | $521,085 |
| Mitchell L Wein | Sr Vp of Finance & Coo | 40 | $517,792 |
| Catherine A Piez | Chief Investment Officer | 40 | $421,996 |
| Xavier Briggs | Sr. Fellow, Brookings Metro | 40 | $360,268 |
| Darrell M West | Sr Fellow & Chair, Dillon | 40 | $357,062 |
| Ankur R Bhatt | Chief Information Officer | 40 | $353,265 |
| David Wessel | Sr Fellow & Dir, Hutchins | 40 | $347,729 |
| Suzanne Maloney | Vp & Dir., Foreign Policy | 40 | $342,013 |
| Alan M Berube | Interim Vp and Director - Metro | 40 | $336,755 |
| Brahima Coulibaly | Vp & Director, Global | 40 | $336,432 |
| Tamara L O'neil | Vp, Chief Devel. Officer | 40 | $331,492 |
| Richard G Frank | Senior Fellow | 40 | $327,400 |
| Camille Busette | Interim Vp & Dir., Global | 40 | $313,243 |
| April Mcwilliams | Vp & Chief Hr Officer | 40 | $309,600 |
| Joseph Rooney | Vp, Executive Affairs | 40 | $247,365 |
| Andrea L Risotto | Chief Communications Officer | 40 | $221,117 |
| Elizabeth Gross | Dir Board Rltns, Asstnt Sec Board | 40 | $123,279 |
| Cecilia Rouse | President (as of 01/24) | 40 | $55,556 |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| American Mechanical Services of Md LLC | Hvac Services & Maintenance | $1,211,780 |
| City Security Consultants Inc | Security Guard Services | $725,927 |
| Buch Construction Inc | Construction | $689,762 |
| Microsoft Corporation | Technology Maintenance | $641,025 |
| Workday Inc | It Software Solutions | $603,379 |
313 grants to Brookings Institution totaling $65.4M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pew Charitable Trusts | Civic life | 2024 | $848,702 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $625,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc | Project support | 2024 | $335,000 |
| Greater Kansas City Community Foundation | Education | 2024 | $150,000 |
| Windward Fund | Environmental programs | 2024 | $150,000 |
| Pew Charitable Trusts | Policy | 2024 | $145,000 |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation | See part iv | 2024 | $142,500 |
| The New York Community Trust | For program support. | 2024 | $140,000 |
| Pew Charitable Trusts | Policy | 2024 | $130,000 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Public affairs | 2024 | $125,000 |
| Cleveland Foundation | General support | 2024 | $100,000 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $100,000 |
| California Healthcare Foundation | Improve health care protection for older adults | 2024 | $100,000 |
| The Bessemer Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $100,000 |
| Impactassets Inc | General support | 2024 | $95,000 |
30 grants totaling $2.4M in FY2023 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Brookings Institution →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center For Economic Inclusion | Research collaboration | $266,666 |
| Urban Institute | Research collaboration | $207,145 |
| Rm Donahue Consulting | Research collaboration | $192,150 |
| Cities Gps LLC | Research collaboration | $175,000 |
| Gallup Inc | Research collaboration | $118,000 |
| American Enterprise Institute For Public Policy Research | Research collaboration | $102,182 |
| Results For Development Institute Inc | Research collaboration | $99,195 |
| Fin Business LLC | Research collaboration | $95,300 |
| Global Impact | Research collaboration | $90,000 |
| National Corporate Housing Inc | Research collaboration | $75,096 |
| Prosper Foundation | Research collaboration | $66,666 |
| Urban Institute | Research collaboration | $66,666 |
| Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce | Research collaboration | $66,666 |
| Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce | Research collaboration | $66,666 |
| Greater St Louis Inc Foundation | Research collaboration | $66,666 |
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Data for Brookings Institution (EIN 53-0196577) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.