The Aspen Institute Inc
79% goes to programs $1 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
The Aspen Institute Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, District of Columbia, registered in 1951, with $443,841,184 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 79% of spending to programs.
2300 N St Nw Ste 700, Washington, DC, 20037 EIN 84-0399006 Since 1951
Revenue (FY2024)
$443.8M
▲ 91.2% vs prior year
Social Science median: $380K
Expenses (FY2024)
$234.3M
Net assets
$647.1M
Employees
754
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 rating79% to programs · $1 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 The Aspen Institute Inc: 79% to programs · $1 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating33 mo reserves · +47% 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 The Aspen Institute Inc: 33 mo reserves · +47% 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 The Aspen Institute Inc: 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 The Aspen Institute Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
The aspen institute ignites human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. we drive change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the greatest challenges of our time in service of a more free, just, and equitable society. we do this by facilitating dialogue and curating convenings, developing leaders and leadership, and enabling solutions.
What they do
Campus activities: in addition to its headquarters in washington, dc, the aspen institute also conducts much of its work on its founding campus in aspen, colorado, which provides natural beauty and quiet surroundings that encourage thoughtful reflection and refreshes mind, body and spirit. one of our programs that use the campus is our aspen executive seminar which challenges individuals to think more deeply, listen more attentively, and refine their ability to lead in an increasingly complex and conflicting world. seminar participants engage in challenging conversations about enduring questions of ethical and effective leadership, gaining a greater capacity to lead with courage and conviction.
Public programs: the institute's public programs are designed to freely disseminate the organization's ideas and to provide the public with opportunities to convene inclusively and engage in thoughtful, nonpartisan dialogue. our major events include the aspen ideas festival, aspen ideas health, the aspen security forum, city lab and aspen words. these and our other public forums engage over 15,000 members of the general public annually.
The center for rising generations is dedicated to ensuring that civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development become a predictable part of the journey to adulthood in our society and around the world. the center for rising generations:- works to expand opportunities for, and elevate the voices of, youth & young adults at the aspen institute,- creates opportunities to convene and build community beyond aspen,- encourages innovation that helps emphasize the assets that young people bring to help address today's challenges.
Contact & location
- Address
- 2300 N St Nw Ste 700, Washington, DC, 20037
- City
- Washington
- State
- District of Columbia
- Category
- Social Science
- Subcategory
- Social Science Research
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $93.2M (FY2013) to $443.8M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $109.5MNet assets $647.1M
Operating margin
47.2%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$756.6M
Total liabilities
$109.5M
Net assets
$647.1M
Salaries & benefits
$93.6M
40% of expenses
Board members
66
65 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $443,841,184▲91.2% | $234,264,178▲3.8% | $647,073,118▲58.5% | $756,622,679▲45.8% | 990 |
| 2023 | $232,109,335▲22.3% | $225,738,675▲17.0% | $408,226,171▲9.7% | $519,114,037▲9.1% | 990 |
| 2022 | $189,761,926▲10.8% | $192,935,305▲34.2% | $372,126,339▼9.8% | $475,882,871▲2.2% | 990 |
| 2021 | $171,246,686▲13.2% | $143,773,765▲11.3% | $412,433,435▲17.1% | $465,514,933▲18.1% | 990 |
| 2020 | $151,262,821▼0.6% | $129,125,686▼11.5% | $352,230,552▲14.2% | $394,226,132▲12.8% | 990 |
| 2019 | $152,108,136▲13.4% | $145,905,329▲2.0% | $308,313,120▲10.6% | $349,619,834▲8.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $134,132,712▲3.7% | $143,100,716▲4.5% | $278,760,839▼3.5% | $321,124,300▼3.6% | 990 |
| 2017 | $129,329,186▲7.5% | $136,995,834▲19.7% | $288,875,450▲5.8% | $333,208,129▲12.5% | 990 |
| 2016 | $120,298,699▼15.8% | $114,454,026▲12.9% | $272,912,151▲5.4% | $296,191,659▲6.5% | 990 |
| 2015 | $142,854,526▲48.1% | $101,379,117▲11.0% | $258,977,577▲20.2% | $278,242,256▲19.8% | 990 |
| 2014 | $96,464,217▲3.5% | $91,362,830▲11.2% | $215,411,267▲4.3% | $232,206,093▲5.1% | 990 |
| 2013 | $93,242,479 | $82,126,112▲12.9% | $206,501,203▲11.0% | $220,838,386▲11.4% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $72,751,605▼1.5% | $186,003,930▲17.9% | $198,233,363▲17.1% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $73,880,949▲11.8% | $157,727,639▼1.6% | $169,299,444▼0.8% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $66,067,040 | $160,296,952 | $170,674,815 | 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 (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Daniel R Porterfield — $802,875 (0.34% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel R Porterfield | President & Ceo | 40 | $802,875 |
| Elliot Gerson | Executive Vice President | 40 | $498,051 |
| Andrew Axelrod | Evp Finance & Ebd, Treasurer | 40 | $463,970 |
| David Langstaff Evp | Until 11/24, Sen. Adv. To Pres/ceo | 40 | $460,588 |
| Suzanne Berger | Vp, Executive Director | 40 | $414,422 |
| Vivian Schiller | Vp, Executive Director | 40 | $391,180 |
| James Spiegelman | Executive Director | 40 | $378,027 |
| Anne Mosle | Executive Director | 40 | $375,269 |
| Stephen Patrick | Executive Director | 40 | $372,292 |
| Maria Acebal | Evp Strategy & Corp Secretary | 40 | $352,833 |
| James Pickup | General Counsel | 40 | $281,239 |
| Kayatanya Henderson | Evp, Ed Center For Rising Generations | 40 | $145,011 |
| Alex M Azar II | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Alice Young | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Andrea Cunningham | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Anna Deavere Smith | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Anne Welsh Mcnulty | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Antonio Gracias | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Arjun Gupta | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Arne Duncan | Trustee | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud For Good Holdings Inc | It Services | $1,728,101 |
| Inmobiliaria Hotelera El Presidente San | Conference Services | $1,602,396 |
| Ithaka Harbors | Aspen Leadership Program Evaluation | $1,444,394 |
| Mountain View Staging Services | Audio Visual Services | $1,285,981 |
| Salesforce | It Services | $1,144,758 |
Grants received · $164.8M total
547 grants to The Aspen Institute Inc totaling $164.8M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Club Foundation | Support native american youth participation in outdoors alliance for kids week. | 2025 | $25,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Medical / public services | 2024 | $8,692,500 |
| Ascendium Education Solutions Inc | Grant, advancing community college students' post-graduation success grant, aspen prize, higher education board reform, and increasing focus on college leadership | 2024 | $2,364,100 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $997,100 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | Community improvement & capacity building, social science, community improvement & capacity building, community improvement & capacity building, education, philanthropy, voluntarism & grantmaking foundations, social science | 2024 | $930,778 |
| American Institutes For Research In the Behavioral Sciences | Support grantee's fellowship program | 2024 | $750,000 |
| Multiplier | Transmission solutions for a clean energy future | 2024 | $550,000 |
| American Gift Fund | Operations | 2024 | $440,000 |
| Climateworks Foundation | To support responsible carbon removal and restore the climate | 2024 | $437,000 |
| Burton Family Foundation | Designated support for the leadership council programs and aspen society | 2024 | $405,000 |
| Impactassets Inc | General support | 2024 | $400,000 |
| Climate Imperative Foundation | Environmental protection | 2024 | $400,000 |
| AARP | Sponsorship of annual conference and retirement savings forum | 2024 | $325,000 |
| Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan | Crime & legal-related | 2024 | $300,000 |
| Strada Education Foundation Inc | Operating grant | 2024 | $230,000 |
Grants made · $25.6M in FY2024
173 grants totaling $25.6M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by The Aspen Institute Inc →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance | Support operating activities | $2,461,282 |
| Ithaka Harbors Inc | College excellence program | $1,444,394 |
| Soliya Inc | Support for virtual cultural exchange with students | $945,362 |
| World Learning Inc | Support for virtual cultural exchange with students | $857,439 |
| New York University | Job quality improvement among us small businesses | $675,000 |
| Colorado Youth For A Change | Purposeful ecosystems | $644,670 |
| Alliance For Childrens Rights | Scaling youth outcomes cohort | $637,110 |
| Boston Private Industry Council Inc the | Scaling youth outcomes cohort | $501,000 |
| Special Olympics Inc | Stevens initiative cultural exchange | $500,000 |
| Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries Inc | Scaling youth outcomes cohort | $500,000 |
| International Research and Exchanges Board Inc | Support for virtual cultural exchange with students | $453,192 |
| Equal Measure | Aspen forum for community solutions | $393,000 |
| Global Nomads Group Inc | Stevens initiative cultural exchange | $392,535 |
| Institute of International Education Inc | Support for virtual cultural exchange with students | $391,958 |
| The Global Development Incubator Inc | Aspen forum for community solutions | $372,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is The Aspen Institute Inc a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. The Aspen Institute Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 84-0399006, based in Washington, District of Columbia. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is The Aspen Institute Inc's EIN?
- The Aspen Institute Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 84-0399006.
- How much revenue does The Aspen Institute Inc report?
- The Aspen Institute Inc reported $443,841,184 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of The Aspen Institute Inc's spending goes to programs?
- The Aspen Institute Inc spends about 79% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does The Aspen Institute Inc have?
- CharityIndex grades The Aspen Institute Inc A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does The Aspen Institute Inc's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on The Aspen Institute Inc's latest Form 990 is $802,875, paid to Daniel R Porterfield (President & Ceo).
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Data for The Aspen Institute Inc (EIN 84-0399006) 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.