Smithsonian Institute
76% goes to programs $5 to raise $100 Strong reserves
Smithsonian Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, District of Columbia, registered in 1924, with $1,955,619,953 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 76% of spending to programs.
1000 Jefferson Dr Sw, Washington, DC, 20560 EIN 53-0206027 Since 1924
Revenue (FY2023)
$2.0B
▲ 4.2% vs prior year
Arts & Culture median: $159K
Expenses (FY2023)
$1.7B
Net assets
$6.1B
Employees
7,367
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 rating76% to programs · $5 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 Smithsonian Institute: 76% to programs · $5 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating44 mo reserves · +14% 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 Smithsonian Institute: 44 mo reserves · +14% 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 Smithsonian Institute: 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 Smithsonian Institute: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Show this grade on your website
A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
Mission
"increase and diffusion of knowledge" is the mission set forth by james smithson.
What they do
Research and collections (see schedule o)
Contact & location
- Address
- 1000 Jefferson Dr Sw, Washington, DC, 20560
- City
- Washington
- State
- District of Columbia
- Category
- Arts, Culture & Humanities
- Subcategory
- Museums
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $1.5B (FY2013) to $2.0B (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $1.4BNet assets $6.1B
Operating margin
14.1%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$7.6B
Total liabilities
$1.4B
Net assets
$6.1B
Salaries & benefits
$818.1M
49% of expenses
Board members
17
17 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1,955,619,953▲4.2% | $1,679,118,317▲4.8% | $6,133,865,010▲7.8% | $7,566,256,722▲5.1% | 990 |
| 2022 | $1,876,542,577▲1.1% | $1,601,797,046▲7.7% | $5,689,746,978▲5.2% | $7,198,888,846▲3.5% | 990 |
| 2021 | $1,855,983,046▲2.8% | $1,487,646,437▲5.1% | $5,410,170,954▼1.6% | $6,953,060,016▼1.5% | 990 |
| 2020 | $1,804,763,983▲15.6% | $1,416,120,138▲1.6% | $5,495,963,159▲18.5% | $7,059,162,886▲16.6% | 990 |
| 2019 | $1,561,599,985▼2.5% | $1,394,014,893▼1.7% | $4,636,979,503▲7.0% | $6,053,364,633▲11.7% | 990 |
| 2018 | $1,601,124,226▲9.2% | $1,418,028,412▲2.0% | $4,334,282,185▲4.2% | $5,420,805,051▲5.3% | 990 |
| 2017 | $1,466,053,226▲0.6% | $1,390,817,397▲1.2% | $4,161,042,055▲4.4% | $5,149,066,602▲5.3% | 990 |
| 2016 | $1,456,826,975▲0.5% | $1,374,738,856▲5.1% | $3,983,926,070▲4.0% | $4,889,814,961▲3.8% | 990 |
| 2015 | $1,449,630,382▲7.0% | $1,307,694,171▲7.1% | $3,830,939,636▲5.3% | $4,712,932,038▲4.4% | 990 |
| 2014 | $1,354,737,828▼6.7% | $1,220,524,063▲4.0% | $3,638,578,392▲1.4% | $4,516,291,473▲2.7% | 990 |
| 2013 | $1,452,410,465 | $1,173,081,322▲0.9% | $3,588,103,640▲10.7% | $4,399,539,233▲8.7% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $1,162,329,865▲1.4% | $3,241,242,621▲6.7% | $4,046,308,079▲6.6% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $1,146,692,789▲4.1% | $3,039,118,608▲9.5% | $3,795,609,529▲7.9% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $1,101,404,223▲0.7% | $2,775,326,313▲3.7% | $3,516,523,060▲3.0% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $1,093,408,454 | $2,675,633,473 | $3,415,561,229 | 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: Amy Chen — $1,147,877 (0.07% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Chen | Chief Investment Officer | 50 | $1,147,877 |
| Mr Lonnie G Bunch III | Secretary of the Smithsonian | 50 | $915,469 |
| Jeffrey Smith | Investment Officer | 50 | $699,892 |
| Michael Giovenco | Investment Officer | 50 | $647,978 |
| Meroe Park | Deputy Secretary & Coo | 50 | $613,661 |
| Ryan Dotson | Investment Officer | 50 | $573,416 |
| Carol Leblanc | President, Smithsonian Enterprises | 50 | $530,461 |
| Ronald Cortez | Under Sec For Fin/admin & Cfo | 50 | $482,777 |
| Melissa Chiu | Dir, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculptue Garden | 50 | $459,518 |
| Chase Robinson | Dir Sackler Gallery/freer | 50 | $456,096 |
| Robert Spiller | Assistant Secretary For Advancement | 50 | $443,009 |
| Kevin Gover | Under Sec For History & Culture | 50 | $439,538 |
| Ellen Stofan | Under Sec For Science & Research | 50 | $438,975 |
| Richard Kurin Thru 93019 | Fmr, Sr. Scholar and Amb-at-large | 50 | $365,110 |
| Julissa Marenco | Asst Sec. For Comm/ext Affairs & Cmo | 50 | $301,376 |
| Cathy Helm Thru 90123 | Fmr, Inspector General | 50 | $273,332 |
| Porter Wilkinson | Chief of Staff To the Regents | 50 | $253,749 |
| Zully Dorr Thru 093019 | Fmr, Acting Asst Sec. For Advancement | 50 | $244,297 |
| Derek Ross | Dir, Ofc of Plng, Dsgn & Const | 50 | $226,105 |
| Farleigh Earhart | General Counsel (acting) | 50 | $222,203 |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksmootconsigli A Joint Venture | Construction | $108,174,831 |
| Universal Protection Service LP | Security | $25,426,334 |
| Tc Pennsy Drive LLC | Real Estate | $8,546,812 |
| Dell Marketing LP | Marketing | $4,688,215 |
| 100 Discovery Park De LLC | Real Estate | $4,114,114 |
Grants received · $327.1M total
807 grants to Smithsonian Institute totaling $327.1M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $2,041,433 |
| Anne Ray Foundation | Support to increase outreach, access to collections, and community knowledge | 2024 | $2,025,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Arts and culture | 2024 | $1,302,100 |
| Thdf II Inc | To assist local charities | 2024 | $1,000,000 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Arts and culture | 2024 | $768,050 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $733,656 |
| Bny Mellon Charitable Gift Fund | To further the organization's exempt purpose | 2024 | $260,444 |
| The Community Foundation For Northeast Florida Inc | In support of the acquisition of rashid johnson's painting "message to our folks" | 2024 | $250,000 |
| The Bessemer Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $201,850 |
| Greater Hartford Gives Foundation | Arts and culture | 2024 | $200,000 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $197,617 |
| AARP | Sponsorship of annual summit and general support | 2024 | $175,000 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $172,500 |
| Greater Washington Community Foundation | General support | 2024 | $142,500 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Arts, culture | 2024 | $135,365 |
Grants made · $589K in FY2023
13 grants totaling $589K in FY2023. All grants made by Smithsonian Institute →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | Academic appt. stipends | $109,590 |
| Tuskegee University | Academic appt. stipends | $73,950 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Term | Academic appt. stipends | $63,700 |
| Texas Southern University | Academic appt. stipends | $63,700 |
| Clark Atlanta University Inc | Academic appt. stipends | $63,700 |
| Jackson State University | Academic appt. stipends | $63,700 |
| Rutgers the State University | Academic appt. stipends | $46,393 |
| Salisbury University | Academic appt. stipends | $42,000 |
| University of California Santa Barbara | Academic appt. stipends | $27,500 |
| Champaign County Forest Preserve | Academic appt. stipends | $11,250 |
| Amistad Research Center | Academic appt. stipends | $10,250 |
| University of Maryland At College Park | Academic appt. stipends | $8,545 |
| The Apollo Theater Foundation Inc | Academic appt. stipends | $5,100 |
Similar organizations in Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture
National Public Radio Inc
Washington, DC
$325.2M
Aannual revenue
Arts & Culture
John F Kennedy Center For the Performing Arts
Washington, DC
$306.9M
Aannual revenue
Arts & Culture
United States Holocaust Memorial Council
Washington, DC
$172.5M
B+annual revenue
Arts & Culture
Rfe-rl Inc
Washington, DC
$156.5M
C+annual revenue
Arts & Culture
National Trust For Historic Preservation In the United States
Washington, DC
$104.1M
Aannual revenue
Arts & Culture
Radio Free Asia
Washington, DC
$75.4M
Bannual revenue
Arts & Culture
White House Historical Association
Washington, DC
$72.9M
C+annual revenue
Arts & Culture
American Battlefield Tr
Washington, DC
$57.9M
Bannual revenue
Arts & Culture
Open Technology Fund
Washington, DC
$50.6M
Dannual revenue
Arts & Culture
National Cable Satellite Corporation
Washington, DC
$46.0M
Cannual revenue
Compare Smithsonian Institute
Frequently asked questions
- Is Smithsonian Institute a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Smithsonian Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 53-0206027, based in Washington, District of Columbia. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Smithsonian Institute's EIN?
- Smithsonian Institute's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 53-0206027.
- How much revenue does Smithsonian Institute report?
- Smithsonian Institute reported $1,955,619,953 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Smithsonian Institute's spending goes to programs?
- Smithsonian Institute spends about 76% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Smithsonian Institute have?
- CharityIndex grades Smithsonian Institute A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Smithsonian Institute's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Smithsonian Institute's latest Form 990 is $1,147,877, paid to Amy Chen (Chief Investment Officer).
More nonprofits in Washington
Explore more
Data for Smithsonian Institute (EIN 53-0206027) 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.