Nonprofit · EIN 22-2632081
PIONEER INSTITUTE INC
Tax-exempt · BOSTON, MA 02110
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $7,314,648 | $5,827,893 | $1,486,755 | $11,078,748 | $462,206 | $10,616,542 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 (amended) | $5,946,434 | $4,694,380 | $1,252,054 | $9,427,349 | $222,039 | $9,205,310 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 (amended) | $4,549,833 | $4,064,353 | $485,480 | $7,478,638 | $207,863 | $7,270,775 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,265,745
- Program service revenue
- $3,485,741
- Investment income
- $188,035
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $15,286
- Net income from fundraising events
- $264,402
- Other revenue
- $375,127
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $885,500
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,488,246
- Other salaries and wages
- $951,667
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,938,961
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $1,993
- Accounting fees
- $5,000
- Occupancy
- $63,142
- Travel
- $46,087
- Depreciation
- $36,911
- Program services (functional)
- $4,362,271
- Management and general (functional)
- $386,705
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,078,917
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $9,427,349
- Total assets, end of year
- $11,078,748
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $462,206
- Net assets, end of year
- $10,616,542
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $809,911
- Publicly traded securities
- $6,590,573
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $6,539,160
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $4,077,382
- Gross receipts
- $10,666,182
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 35
- Year formed
- 1988
- State of legal domicile
- MA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES STERGIOS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $379,183 | $35,863 |
| ANDREW HORGAN | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $293,249 | $43,418 |
| MARY Z CONAUGHTON | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER/CLERK Officer | 40 | $242,981 | $41,400 |
| JAMIE GASS | DIRECTOR OF PIONEEREDUCATI Highest-paid employee | 40 | $172,070 | $38,541 |
| WILLIAM SMITH | DIRECTOR LIFE SCIENCES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $197,246 | $8,538 |
| CATHERINE CASTELLANO | DIRECTOR OF INDIVIDUAL GIVING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $158,839 | $6,354 |
| FRANK BAILEY | PRESIDENT OF PIONEERLEGAL Officer | 40 | $150,000 | $6,000 |
| JOHN LALIBERTE | STAFF ATTORNEY - PIONEER LEGAL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $105,000 | $4,200 |
| ADAM PORTNOY | DIRECTOR - CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FRED CLIFFORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK RICKABAUGH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN BRODERICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
14 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOLT MASSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARY MYERS KAUPPILA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRACKETT DENNISTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROGER SERVISON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EDWARD GLAESER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DREW DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRIS DI BONAVENTURA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KYLA DE ASLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARK COHEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAKE JACOBSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROBER MASHAL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHARLES HEWITT III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JIM JOSLIN | TREASURER Officer | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 30 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES STERGIOS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $386,366 | $34,418 |
| ANDREW HORGAN | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $301,154 | $45,413 |
| MARY Z CONAUGHTON | COO/CLERK Officer | 40 | $247,358 | $40,656 |
| WILLIAM SMITH | DIRECTOR LIFE SCIENCES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $202,003 | $44,435 |
| JAMIE GASS | DIRECTOR OF PIONEEREDUCATION Highest-paid employee | 40 | $177,798 | $37,816 |
| FRANK BAILEY | PRESIDENT OF PIONEERLEGAL Officer | 40 | $150,000 | $6,000 |
| ADAM PORTNOY | DIRECTOR - CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| C BRUCE JOHNSTONE | VICE CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM JOSLIN | TREASURER Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN BRODERICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK COHEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FREDERICK CLIFFORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DREW DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRACKETT DENNISTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KYLA DE ASLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS DIBONAVENTURA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ED GLAESER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES HEWITT III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN ROY HERZFELDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL KENNEALY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY MYERS KAUPPILA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| M HOLT MASSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK RICKABAUGH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER SERVISON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN SHORTSLEEVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER WILDE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 28 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES STERGIOS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $376,998 | $31,673 |
| MARY Z CONAUGHTON | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $229,994 | $38,174 |
| WILLIAM SMITH | DIRECTOR LIFE SCIENCES Key employee | 40 | $209,983 | $7,887 |
| JAMIE GASS | DIRECTOR OF PIONEEREDUCATION Key employee | 40 | $168,012 | $36,312 |
| FRANK BAILEY | PRESIDENT OF PIONEERLEGAL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $150,000 | $4,500 |
| ADAM PORTNOY | DIRECTOR - CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM JOSLIN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAMELA LAYTON | DIRECTOR - CLERK Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN BRODERICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FREDERICK CLIFFORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DREW DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRACKETT DENNISTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS DIBONAVENTURA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES HEWITT III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ED GLAESER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN ROY HERZFELDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| C BRUCE JOHNSTONE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL KENNEALY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY MYERS KAUPPILA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| M HOLT MASSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK RICKABAUGH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER SERVISON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN SHORTSLEEVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER WILDE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 185 DEVONSHIRE ST STE 1101, BOSTON, MA 02110-1409
- In care of
- % JAMES STERGIOS
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JIM STERGIOS, 185 DEVONSHIRE ST STE 1101, BOSTON, MA 021101409
- Signed the 990
- MARY Z CONNAUGHTON, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
- Phone
- (617) 723-2277
- Website
- WWW.PIONEERINSTITUTE.ORG
- Return prepared by
- JOHNSON O'CONNOR FERON & CARUCCI LLP
Mission
PIONEER INSTITUTE EMPOWERS AMERICANS WITH CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE FREELY AND THRIVE. THROUGH EXPERT RESEARCH, EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, LEGAL ACTION, AND COALITION-BUILDING, WE ADVANCE HUMAN POTENTIAL IN FOUR CRITICAL AREAS: K-12 EDUCATION, HEALTH, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND AMERICAN CIVIC VALUES.
Program accomplishments
- PIONEER EDUCATION & AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP: PIONEER BUILDS ON ITS LEGACY AS A LEADER IN THE CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL MOVEMENT AND A CHAMPION OF GREATER ACADEMIC RIGOR BY ADVANCING EDUCATION REFORM THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN RESEARCH, PODCASTS, OPINION PIECES, AND PUBLIC TESTIMONY. PIONEER PROMOTES HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND A BROAD RANGE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS, REGIONAL VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, INTER-DISTRICT SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAMS, TAX CREDIT STRATEGIES THAT EXPAND ACCESS TO PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL EDUCATION FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS, AND EXPANDED VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH US DATALABS, PIONEER SEEKS TO INCREASE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BY PROVIDING FREE ONLINE RESOURCES FEATURING KEY DATA ON EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, ECONOMICS, HEALTHCARE, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND OTHER POLICY AREAS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES.Expenses $1,097,730 · revenue $1,080,000
- PIONEERHEALTH: THROUGH ITS LIFE SCIENCES INITIATIVE, PIONEER EXAMINES DRUG PRICING MODELS, THE IMPACT OF ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACHES TO HEALTHCARE VALUE ASSESSMENTS, AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE A ROBUST PIPELINE OF AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE THERAPIES. PIONEER ALSO ADVOCATES FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN 340B PROGRAM HOSPITAL REVENUES TO HELP ENSURE THAT RESOURCES ARE USED TO SUPPORT THE LOWER-INCOME POPULATIONS THE PROGRAM WAS INTENDED TO SERVE. IN ADDITION, PIONEER SEEKS TO REFOCUS THE HEALTHCARE COST DEBATE AWAY FROM GOVERNMENT-IMPOSED SOLUTIONS AND TOWARD MARKET-BASED APPROACHES THAT PROMOTE INNOVATION, ACCESS, AND AFFORDABILITY.Expenses $620,958 · revenue $544,547
- PIONEER OPPORTUNITY: PIONEERS WORKS TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS, ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND FOSTER JOB GROWTH BY IMPROVING THE BUSINESS CLIMATE, ENHANCING TAX COMPETITIVENESS, AND REDUCING BURDENSOME REGULATIONS TO SUPPORT BUSINESS EXPANSION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. PIONEER ALSO ADVANCES RESEARCH AIMED AT EXPANDING HOUSING OPTIONS, STREAMLINING PERMITTING PROCESS. PIONEER ALSO RESEARCHES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURS TO THE ECONOMY.Expenses $1,512,020 · grants $885,500 · revenue $824,000
- PIONEERLEGAL IS A NONPARTISAN PUBLIC INTEREST LAW ORGANIZATION WITH THE PURPOSE OF UNDERTAKING LEGAL & EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS, INCLUDING LITIGATION AND POLICY ADVOCACY TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO PROSPER AND SOCIETY TO THRIVE, IN CONNECTION WITH DEFENDING AND PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT, HUMANE AND ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL IMMIGRATION POLICIES, INCLUSIVE & EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, AND GENERALLY PROMOTING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACROSS NEW ENGLAND.Expenses $410,773 · revenue $207,800
- LOVETT PETERS LECTURE SERIES WAS NAMED IN HONOR OF PIONEER'S FOUNDING CHAIRMAN, A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS EXECUTIVE, ENTREPRENEUR, PHILANTHROPIST, AND LIFELONG PROPONENT OF HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN. THE EVENT ASSEMBLES PIONEER'S CLOSEST SUPPORTERS TO ENCOURAGE AND HONOR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE VISION, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAVE LEFT A MARK ON THE WORLD.
- PIONEER PUBLIC OUTREACH INCLUDES ALL COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES RELATED TO SHARING OUR RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS WITH THE PUBLIC.Expenses $551,987 · revenue $829,394
- THE ROGER PERRY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM SUPPORTS UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE-LEVEL STUDENTS WHO SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH PRACTICAL TRAINING IN AN ENERGETIC AND CREATIVE PUBLIC POLICY ENVIRONMENT. IN PROVIDING STUDENTS A FOUNDATION OF KNOWLEDGE IN RESEARCH, FUNDRAISING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND MARKETING, WE AIM TO BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF POLICY LEADERS WHO WILL BRING INNOVATIONS TO BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.Expenses $168,803 · revenue $110,725
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 22-2632081
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1993
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B010)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $11,078,748
- Income (IRS master file)
- $10,666,182
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $7,314,648 | $5,827,893 | $11,078,748 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $5,946,434 | $4,694,380 | $9,427,349 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $4,549,833 | $4,064,353 | $7,478,638 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $4,174,169 | $3,227,857 | $6,530,222 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 22-2632081).
Questions about PIONEER INSTITUTE INC
- What is the EIN of PIONEER INSTITUTE INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of PIONEER INSTITUTE INC is 22-2632081.
- Is PIONEER INSTITUTE INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1993.
- Are donations to PIONEER INSTITUTE INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does PIONEER INSTITUTE INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of PIONEER INSTITUTE INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did PIONEER INSTITUTE INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of PIONEER INSTITUTE INC?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names JIM STERGIOS.
- Who are the officers and directors of PIONEER INSTITUTE INC?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 29 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $379,183 (JAMES STERGIOS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does PIONEER INSTITUTE INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $7,314,648, expenses of $5,827,893 and total assets of $11,078,748 at year end.
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