The Aspen Institute Inc

Analysis

The Aspen Institute Inc is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in February 1951, 75 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 (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, The Aspen Institute Inc reported income of $232.1m and spending of $225.7m, spending 97% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $152.1m to $232.1m (+53%), an average of +11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 22%. Over the whole period it spent 93% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Aspen Institute Inc sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include American Museum of Natural History ($228.7m), Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Inc ($235.1m) and WGBH Educational Foundation ($220.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 77% and program service revenue 22% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.8m (1.3% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $67.8m. At year end it held assets of $519.1m against liabilities of $110.9m, net assets of $408.2m. It reported 724 employees.