George Washington University
91% goes to programs $30 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
George Washington University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Ashburn, Virginia, registered in 1934, with $1,912,174,697 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 91% of spending to programs.
44983 Knoll Square Suite 391, Ashburn, VA, 20147 EIN 53-0196584 Since 1934
Revenue (FY2023)
$1.9B
▲ 6.1% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$1.9B
Net assets
$2.7B
Employees
15,081
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
B+Program efficiency40% of the rating91% to programs · $30 to raise $100
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 George Washington University: 91% to programs · $30 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating17 mo reserves · +2% margin
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 George Washington University: 17 mo reserves · +2% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
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 George Washington University: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
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 George Washington University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Education and research
What they do
Research and research support: gw's research is distinguished by our commitment to transform policy that affects people in their daily lives. this unique approach to research gives special character to our teaching and enables us to offer our students learning experiences that few can match. with our location, connections and close proximity to institutions such as the national institutes of health, national science foundation, the smithsonian institution, and library of congress, gw's research helps solve national and global problems while giving our students learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom. in the 21st century, gw's faculty and students continue to open new doors of discovery.
Auxiliary enterprises - students and community: gw provides a number of services that support learning, build community, and enhance the overall quality of student life. auxiliary enterprises include facilities and residential property management, dining, bookstore, parking, student health, mail, and laundry services. gw's marvin center houses student organization offices and meeting rooms and is utilized by students, faculty, staff, and visitors.for more info about gw's programs & accomplishments, see the 2023-2024 financial report on the finance division website at: http://finance.gwu.edu/reports.
Contact & location
- Address
- 44983 Knoll Square Suite 391, Ashburn, VA, 20147
- City
- Ashburn
- State
- Virginia
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Colleges & Universities
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $1.5B (FY2013) to $1.9B (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $2.4BNet assets $2.7B
Operating margin
2.1%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$5.1B
Total liabilities
$2.4B
Net assets
$2.7B
Salaries & benefits
$799.5M
43% of expenses
Board members
25
24 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1,912,174,697▲6.1% | $1,871,220,964▲7.0% | $2,701,152,436▼0.9% | $5,137,206,610▲3.1% | 990 |
| 2022 | $1,803,011,076▲4.2% | $1,749,076,031▲5.0% | $2,726,139,000▲5.3% | $4,984,564,537▲2.7% | 990 |
| 2021 | $1,730,337,567▲9.7% | $1,665,300,765▲8.9% | $2,588,411,575▼2.2% | $4,854,587,342▼3.9% | 990 |
| 2020 | $1,577,044,473▼5.4% | $1,529,825,645▼9.9% | $2,646,651,108▲13.6% | $5,052,548,646▲2.7% | 990 |
| 2019 | $1,667,611,791▲0.1% | $1,698,549,530▲1.2% | $2,329,241,871▼0.8% | $4,920,138,728▲7.8% | 990 |
| 2018 | $1,665,636,831▲2.8% | $1,679,146,901▲3.5% | $2,346,877,093▼2.0% | $4,563,094,483▼0.1% | 990 |
| 2017 | $1,620,270,222▲2.9% | $1,623,057,969▲4.9% | $2,395,187,454▲3.2% | $4,567,697,789▲4.2% | 990 |
| 2016 | $1,575,321,106▲9.3% | $1,547,715,237▲3.0% | $2,321,669,689▲9.4% | $4,383,821,034▲5.6% | 990 |
| 2015 | $1,441,110,729▼11.9% | $1,502,264,910▲2.4% | $2,122,830,046▼3.5% | $4,153,102,406▲2.8% | 990 |
| 2014 | $1,636,218,906▲11.1% | $1,467,218,482▲3.9% | $2,200,180,954▲3.3% | $4,041,401,259▲6.9% | 990 |
| 2013 | $1,472,435,669 | $1,412,277,225▲6.0% | $2,129,606,043▲12.7% | $3,782,212,197▲6.7% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $1,332,520,854▲6.4% | $1,890,162,396▲3.2% | $3,545,345,140▲1.8% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $1,252,146,279▲2.6% | $1,831,149,285▼1.6% | $3,484,155,828▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $1,220,323,019▲4.2% | $1,860,642,933▲12.0% | $3,210,191,235▲10.8% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $1,170,670,394 | $1,660,605,779 | $2,897,272,540 | 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.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: Barbara Lee Bass — $1,635,739 (0.09% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Lee Bass | Vp For Health Affairs & Dean of Smhs | 35 | $1,635,739 |
| Mark Diaz | Former Executive Vp & Cfo | 0 | $1,366,440 |
| Shahram Sarkani | Director and Professor of Emse | 50 | $1,350,877 |
| Christopher Bracey | Provost and Evp For Academic Affairs | 50 | $981,676 |
| Mei Qiu | Former Dean of Son | 0 | $949,482 |
| Stephen Saltzburg | Professor of Law | 50 | $875,473 |
| Julie Bauman | Gw Cancer Center | 50 | $872,037 |
| Christian Caputo | Mens' Basketball Coach | 50 | $830,549 |
| Sharon L Reich Paulsen | Evp and Cao (thru 12/23) | 50 | $771,518 |
| Ellen M Granberg | President - Ex Officio | 50 | $716,491 |
| Charles Barber | Vp & General Counsel | 50 | $704,243 |
| Mark S Wrighton | Former President - Ex Officio | 0 | $612,088 |
| Lynn Goldman - Dean | Milken Inst. School of Public Health | 50 | $604,466 |
| Bruno Fernandes | Evp, Cfo and Treasurer | 40 | $602,313 |
| Paul J Wahlbeck | Dean, Ccas | 50 | $511,808 |
| Jeffrey S Akman - Fmr Vp | For Health Affairs & Dean of Smhs | 0 | $455,716 |
| Forrest Maltzman - Former | Provost & Evp For Academic Affairs | 0 | $374,603 |
| Aristide J Collins Jr - Fmr | Vp & Chief of Staff, Sec. of Univ. | 0 | $305,422 |
| Thomas J Leblanc | Former President - Ex Officio | 0 | $273,392 |
| Jonathan E Post - Vp For Board | Relations & Secretary (as of 07/23) | 50 | $257,639 |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Gwu Med Faculty Assoc | Teaching and Research | $44,103,440 |
| Chartwells Higher Ed | Dining Services | $35,770,023 |
| Abm Industries Inc | Facility Services | $31,438,479 |
| 2u Inc | E - Learning | $18,584,194 |
| Shawmut Design and Construction | Construction | $10,535,135 |
Grants received · $194.7M total
729 grants to George Washington University totaling $194.7M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Save the Children Federation Inc | Multiple program activity | 2024 | $988,204 |
| American Cancer Society Inc | Support/research | 2024 | $946,500 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $679,003 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Education | 2024 | $664,846 |
| American Gift Fund | Operations | 2024 | $409,550 |
| Blood Cancer United Inc | Research grant | 2024 | $250,000 |
| Hopewell Fund | Civil rights, social action, advocacy | 2024 | $250,000 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $220,700 |
| American Diabetes Association Inc | Innovative clinical or translational science nutrition | 2024 | $200,000 |
| California Healthcare Foundation | Improving the health workforce funding process; expanding californias behavioral health workforce through targeted pathway investments; health system qi integration | 2024 | $170,000 |
| Episcopal Health Foundation | Support change in healthcare financing | 2024 | $150,000 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $149,477 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $127,543 |
| Urban Institute | Grant sub-award | 2024 | $115,181 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $112,000 |
Grants made · $50.5M in FY2023
194 grants totaling $50.5M in FY2023 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by George Washington University →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Faculty Associates Inc | Subaward | $3,526,000 |
| Whitman-walker Institute Inc | Subaward | $2,141,963 |
| Emory University | Subaward | $1,603,804 |
| Northwestern University | Subaward | $1,515,164 |
| University of California San Francisco | Subaward | $1,512,159 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Subaward | $1,294,178 |
| Medical Faculty Associates Inc | Joint fundraising campaign | $1,264,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh | Subaward | $1,199,030 |
| Regents of the University of Colorado | Subaward | $1,011,555 |
| Regents of the University of California At San Diego | Subaward | $1,008,004 |
| University of Minnesota | Subaward | $967,029 |
| Women For Women International | Subaward | $920,967 |
| Regents of the University of Michigan | Subaward | $878,493 |
| Medstar Health Research Institute Inc | Subaward | $841,125 |
| Institute For Healthcare Improvement | Subaward | $824,306 |
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Compare George Washington University
Frequently asked questions
- Is George Washington University a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. George Washington University is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 53-0196584, based in Ashburn, Virginia. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is George Washington University's EIN?
- George Washington University's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 53-0196584.
- How much revenue does George Washington University report?
- George Washington University reported $1,912,174,697 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of George Washington University's spending goes to programs?
- George Washington University spends about 91% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does George Washington University have?
- CharityIndex grades George Washington University A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does George Washington University's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on George Washington University's latest Form 990 is $1,635,739, paid to Barbara Lee Bass (Vp For Health Affairs & Dean of Smhs).
More nonprofits in Ashburn
Explore more
Data for George Washington University (EIN 53-0196584) 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.