Nonprofit · EIN 52-1351785
COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20005
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $12,854,082 | $9,105,214 | $3,748,868 | $15,260,215 | $5,676,082 | $9,584,133 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $8,836,534 | $8,628,363 | $208,171 | $9,371,496 | $3,543,405 | $5,828,091 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $10,125,447 | $8,429,275 | $1,696,172 | $10,012,425 | $4,403,863 | $5,608,562 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $13,107,202
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $113,858
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $325
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$375,498
- Other revenue
- -$366,978
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $3,100
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $895,876
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,927,078
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $5,692,504
- Professional fundraising fees
- $105,304
- Legal fees
- $50,015
- Accounting fees
- $104,558
- Occupancy
- $673,801
- Travel
- $142,852
- Depreciation
- $117,849
- Program services (functional)
- $7,139,028
- Management and general (functional)
- $511,026
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,455,160
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $9,371,496
- Total assets, end of year
- $15,260,215
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $5,676,082
- Net assets, end of year
- $9,584,133
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $501,311
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $7,237,735
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $2,346,398
- Gross receipts
- $17,534,101
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 10
- Year formed
- 1984
- State of legal domicile
- DC
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENT LASSMAN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $359,403 | $39,677 |
| WAYNE CREWS | FRED L. SMITH FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $185,918 | $37,128 |
| JOEL ZINBERG | SENIOR FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $182,652 | $33,575 |
| IAIN MURRAY | VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $161,635 | $36,495 |
| DAREN BAKST - DIR OF CENTER | FOR ENERGY AND ENVT, SR. FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $171,456 | $11,824 |
| CARRIE DIAMOND | VP OF ADMINISTRATION Officer | 40 | $176,796 | $4,202 |
| AMANDA FRANCE | DIRECTOR OF EVENTS Officer | 40 | $161,419 | $13,061 |
| JESSICA MELUGIN | DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR TEC Highest-paid employee | 40 | $160,753 | $11,409 |
| DANIEL GREENBERG | GENERAL COUNSEL Officer | 40 | $120,547 | $37,288 |
| RICHARD TREN | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FRED L SMITH JR | FOUNDER, DIRECTOR UNTIL 11/24 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTINA CRANE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL S GREVE | DIRECTOR UNTIL 11/24 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANA MODZELEWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEOFFREY POHANKA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TODD ZYWICKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROGER REAM | DIRECTOR AS OF 06/25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SARAH ATKINS | DIRECTOR AS OF 06/25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CATHY WINDELS | DIRECTOR AS OF 04/25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID STOVER | DIRECTOR AS OF 04/25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| FRAN SMITH | DIRECTOR AS OF 04/25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 17 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENT LASSMAN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $346,621 | $32,697 |
| WAYNE CREWS | FRED L. SMITH FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $176,647 | $32,226 |
| JOEL ZINBERG | SENIOR FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $183,136 | $11,428 |
| IAIN MURRAY | VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $153,963 | $30,233 |
| JESSICA MELUGIN | DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR TECH & INNO. Highest-paid employee | 40 | $151,865 | $8,714 |
| DANIEL GREENBERG | GENERAL COUNSEL Officer | 40 | $115,302 | $29,387 |
| AMANDA FRANCE | DIRECTOR OF EVENTS Officer | 40 | $133,154 | $9,087 |
| CARRIE DIAMOND | VP OF ADMINISTRATION Officer | 40 | $137,539 | $3,462 |
| TRAVIS BURK | VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $132,787 | $2,560 |
| JEAN-CLAUDE GRUFFAT | CHAIRMAN UNTIL 11/23 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FRED L SMITH JR | FOUNDER, DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTINA CRANE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL S GREVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANA MODZELEWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEOFFREY POHANKA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD TREN | DIRECTOR UNTIL 11/23 THEN CHAIRMAN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TODD ZYWICKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 17 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENT LASSMAN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $278,255 | $28,122 |
| WAYNE CREWS FRED L SMITH | FELLOW IN REGULATORY STUDIES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $169,603 | $29,995 |
| JOEL ZINBERG | SENIOR FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $178,442 | $3,231 |
| IAIN MURRAY | VP OF STRATEGY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $145,668 | $27,791 |
| MARLO LEWIS | SENIOR FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $124,974 | $22,397 |
| MYRON EBELL | SENIOR FELLOW Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,827 | $1,774 |
| DANIEL GREENBERG | VICE PRESIDENT AS OF 10/22 Officer | 40 | $104,825 | $25,975 |
| AMANDA FRANCE | DIRECTOR OF EVENTS Officer | 40 | $117,553 | $7,735 |
| CARRIE DIAMOND | VP OF ADMINISTRATION Officer | 40 | $117,261 | $2,289 |
| JEAN-CLAUDE GRUFFAT | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FRED L SMITH JR | FOUNDER, DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTINA CRANE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL S GREVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANA MODZELEWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEOFFREY POHANKA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD TREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TODD ZYWICKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1310 L STREET NW 7TH FL, WASHINGTON, DC 20005-4383
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- KENT LASSMAN, 1310 L STREET NW 7TH FL, WASHINGTON, DC 20005
- Signed the 990
- KENT LASSMAN, PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (202) 331-1010
- Website
- WWW.CEI.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CBIZ ADVISORS LLC
Mission
COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE (CEI) IS A NON-PROFIT PUBLIC POLICY ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT. WE BELIEVE THAT CONSUMERS ARE BEST HELPED NOT BY GOVERNMENT REGULATION BUT BY BEING ALLOWED TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES IN A FREE MARKETPLACE.
Program accomplishments
- COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACHCEI'S COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH DEPARTMENT ASSISTS THE CEI POLICY CENTERS WITH THEIR EFFORTS TO DISSEMINATE RESEARCH FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS TO VARIOUS AUDIENCES INCLUDING POLICYMAKERS, NEWS MEDIA, ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT ALSO HELPS THE POLICY CENTERS BUILD COALITIONS OF LIKE MINDED SCHOLARS, ACTIVISTS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OF PROMOTING THE INSTITUTIONS OF LIBERTY AND REMOVING GOVERNMENT-CREATED BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC FREEDOM, INNOVATION, AND PROSPERITY.Expenses $1,735,680
- CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT CEI'S CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT MAKES THE POSITIVE CASE FOR ABUNDANT ENERGY AND PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES BASED ON ECONOMIC FREEDOM, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT. THE CENTER WORKS TO COMBAT THE BELIEF THAT PROSPERITY THREATENS THE ENVIRONMENT, THAT THE ANSWER TO EVERY ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE IS MORE REGULATION, AND THAT RISKS CAN BE ABOLISHED BY LIMITING HUMAN INGENUITY.Expenses $1,103,402
- CENTER FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOMCEI'S CENTER FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOM ADDRESSES MANY OF THE INDUSTRIES AND ACTIVITIES WHERE LONG-ESTABLISHED, AND OFTEN PATERNALISTIC, REGULATORY POLICIES TEND TO STYMIE THE CREATION AND EVOLUTION OF NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, TECHNOLOGIES, BUSINESS PRACTICES, AND WORK ARRANGEMENTS. KEY ISSUE AREAS INCLUDE BANKING AND SECURITIES REGULATION, CONSUMER FINANCE, LABOR LAW AND EMPLOYMENT POLICY, CONSUMER PRODUCT REGULATION, AND TRADE POLICY. THESE ISSUE AREAS REQUIRE OUR EXPERTS TO HAVE A FIRM UNDERSTANDING OF EXISTING REGULATION, REGULATION'S MONETARY AND SOCIAL COSTS, AND AN APPRECIATION OF THE WAY TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION PRESENT NEW CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR REFORM.Expenses $979,795
- CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION - CEI'S CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION STRIVES TO KEEP THE REGULATORY STATE FROM ENCROACHING UPON FRONTIER INDUSTRIES AND ENSURE THAT 21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES ARE NOT SHACKLED BY 20TH CENTURY REGULATIONS. THE CENTER WORKS TO ADVANCE MARKET DISCIPLINE AS SUPERIOR TO REGULATORY INTERVENTION; WE LEGITIMIZE MARKET PROCESSES AND FORESTALL GOVERNMENTAL RESTRICTIONS ON WEALTH CREATION.Expenses $739,145
- CENTER FOR LITIGATION - THE CENTRAL MISSION OF CEI'S CENTER FOR LAW & LITIGATION IS TO ENCOURAGE GOVERNMENT BODIES TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW THAT GOVERNS THEM. CEI DOES THIS THROUGH REPRESENTATION OF PARTIES IN PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION, SUBMISSION OF AMICUS BRIEFS, POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY, GOVERNMENT RECORDS REQUESTS, AND RESEARCH SUPPORT EXTENDED TO CEI'S POLICY COLLEAGUES. ISSUES THAT THE CENTER HAS FOCUSED ON IN THE RECENT PAST INCLUDE CORPORATE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS, CONSUMER APPLIANCE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS, THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FEE, MUTUAL FUNDS FEES, AND CIVIL FORFEITURE REFORM.Expenses $707,268
- OTHER PROGRAMSExpenses $1,873,738 · grants $3,100
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
- 52-1351785
- 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
- 1984
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $15,260,215
- Income (IRS master file)
- $17,534,101
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $12,854,082 | $9,105,214 | $15,260,215 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $8,836,534 | $8,628,363 | $9,371,496 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $10,125,447 | $8,429,275 | $10,012,425 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $7,758,776 | $6,681,965 | $5,463,449 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | 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 52-1351785).
Questions about COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
- What is the EIN of COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE is 52-1351785.
- Is COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1984.
- Are donations to COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE 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 COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE 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 COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE 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 COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names KENT LASSMAN.
- Who are the officers and directors of COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 21 people; 9 received compensation from the organization, the highest $359,403 (KENT LASSMAN, PRESIDENT).
- How much revenue does COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $12,854,082, expenses of $9,105,214 and total assets of $15,260,215 at year end.
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