Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Analysis

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in January 1979, 47 years ago. Its declared purposes cover social science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. 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 September 2023, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars reported income of $22.1m and spending of $41.7m, spending 189% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income fell from $28.9m to $22.1m (-23%), an average of -6.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2023, when income rose by 69%. Over the whole period it spent 134% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile, and in the 94th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Ukraine House DC Foundation Inc ($22.1m), Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities Inc ($22.2m) and Conner Prairie Museum Inc ($22.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 128% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.0m (4.8% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $13.0m. It paid $362k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $64.2m against liabilities of $3.0m, net assets of $61.2m. It reported 220 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.