Cato Institute

Analysis

Cato Institute is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 1975, 51 years ago. Its declared purposes cover public and societal benefit, which this site groups under other charitable purposes. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending March 2024, Cato Institute reported income of $71.9m and spending of $41.8m, leaving 42% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2020 to March 2024, income grew from $32.5m to $71.9m (+121%), an average of +22% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2021, when income rose by 32%. Over the whole period it spent 68% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Cato Institute sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Hospital Damas Inc ($71.9m), General Conference of Seventh Day Adventist ($72.5m) and Service Coordination Inc ($71.9m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending March 2024, revenue came from contributions and grants 93% and program service revenue 0.3% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $980k (2.3% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $19.7m. It paid $504k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $172.2m against liabilities of $2.1m, net assets of $170.1m. It reported 304 employees.