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Nonprofit · EIN 84-0399006

THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC

Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20037

Financials

$232.1M$225.7M2023$443.8M$234.3M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$443,841,184$234,264,178$209,577,006$756,622,679$109,549,561$647,073,118
December 31, 2023990$232,109,335$225,738,675$6,370,660$519,114,037$110,887,866$408,226,171
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$381,262,788
of which government grants
$7,168,895
Program service revenue
$48,218,970
Investment income
$10,415,724
Net gain from sales of assets
$2,432,540
Net income from fundraising events
-$597,211
Other revenue
$3,943,702

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$36,475,484
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$3,521,961
Other salaries and wages
$72,074,871
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$93,571,415
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$751,070
Accounting fees
$383,282
Occupancy
$6,026,774
Travel
$19,016,348
Depreciation
$3,922,836
Program services (functional)
$185,499,114
Management and general (functional)
$43,743,115
Fundraising (functional)
$5,021,949

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$519,114,037
Total assets, end of year
$756,622,679
Total liabilities, end of year
$109,549,561
Net assets, end of year
$647,073,118
Land, buildings and equipment
$75,095,877
Publicly traded securities
$283,247,031
Net assets without donor restrictions
$125,147,312
Net assets with donor restrictions
$521,925,806
Gross unrelated business income
$12,577,138
Gross receipts
$666,645,462
Employees
754
Volunteers
250
Year formed
1949
State of legal domicile
CO

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 December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
DANIEL R PORTERFIELDPRESIDENT & CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$802,875$108,695
ELLIOT GERSONEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Officer
40$498,051$87,302
DAVID LANGSTAFF EVPUNTIL 11/24, SEN. ADV. TO PRES/CEO
Officer
40$460,588$98,606
ANDREW AXELRODEVP FINANCE & EBD, TREASURER
Officer
40$463,970$65,249
JAMES SPIEGELMANEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$378,027$104,283
STEPHEN PATRICKEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$372,292$109,247
ANNE MOSLEEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$375,269$106,037
VIVIAN SCHILLERVP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$391,180$87,343
SUZANNE BERGERVP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$414,422$26,560
MARIA ACEBALEVP STRATEGY & CORP SECRETARY
Officer
40$352,833$58,847
JAMES PICKUPGENERAL COUNSEL
Officer
40$281,239$92,025
KAYATANYA HENDERSONEVP, ED CENTER FOR RISING GENERATIONS
Officer
40$145,011$6,670
MARGOT L PRITZKERCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
KATHARINE ALBRIGHTTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEFFREY S ARONINTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
66 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
ALEX M AZAR IITRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
DONNA BARKSDALETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
MERCEDES BASSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
MIGUEL MIKE BEZOSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
LAWRENCE D BOBOTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
BETH BROOKETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
WILLIAM D BUDINGERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
WILLIAM BYNUMTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
TROY CARTERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
CESAR R CONDETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
PHYLLIS COULTERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
KATIE COURICTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
LESTER CROWNTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
PAULA CROWNTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ANDREA CUNNINGHAMTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
KENNETH L DAVIS MDTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
L JOHN DOERRTRUSTEE - UNTIL 04/24
Trustee or director
1$0
THELMA DUGGINTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ARNE DUNCANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
MICHAEL D EISNERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
L BROOKS ENTWISTLETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ROGER W FERGUSON JRTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ELIZABETH A FLEMINGTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
HENRY LOUIS GATES JRTRUSTEE - UNTIL 04/24
Trustee or director
1$0
RUSSELL GOLDSMITHTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ANTONIO GRACIASTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
PATRICK W GROSSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ARJUN GUPTATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
JANE HARMANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
KAYA HENDERSONTRUSTEE - UNTIL 08/24
Trustee or director
1$0
MARK S HOPLAMAZIANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
GERALD D HOSIERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ROBERT J HURSTTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
SONIA KAPADIATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
MICHAEL KLEINTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
LAURA HELLER LAUDERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
LEONARD LAUDERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
KELI LEETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
MELONY LEWISTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
J MICHAEL LUTTIGTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
JAMES M MANYIKATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
CRAIG C MARTINTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
WILLIAM E MAYERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
BONNIE PALMER MCCLOSKEYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ANNE WELSH MCNULTYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
DIANE L MORRISTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
KARLHEINZ MUHRTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
CLARE MUNANATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
JERRY MURDOCKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
HER MAJESTY QUEEN NOORTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
OLARA A OTUNNUTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ASUTOSH PADHITRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ELAINE PAGELSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
PERRI PELTZTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
CARRIE WALTON PENNERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
CARLA PINEYRO-SUBLETTTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
LYNDA R RESNICKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
WILLIAM RESNICKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ANNA DEAVERE SMITHTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ROBERT K STEELTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
LAURIE M TISCHTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
CHRISTOPHER VARELASTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
RODERICK K VON LIPSEYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
VIN WEBERTRUSTEE - UNTIL 08/24
Trustee or director
1$0
JESSIE WOOLLEY-WILSONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
ALICE YOUNGTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 73 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
DANIEL PORTERFIELDPRESIDENT & CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$789,901$53,542
ELLIOT GERSONEXECUTIVE VP
Officer
40$576,899$57,030
DAVID LANGSTAFFEXECUTIVE VP
Officer
40$449,743$55,981
CYNTHIA MCKEEEVP INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$450,314$38,085
ANDREW AXELRODEVP FINANCE & ENTERPRISE BUS DEV.
Officer
40$452,148$12,450
STEPHEN PATRICKEXECUTIVE VP
Highest-paid employee
40$370,953$59,855
ANNE MOSLEVP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$366,704$59,864
JAMES SPIEGELMANSENIOR ADVISOR
Highest-paid employee
40$354,344$59,848
MIECHA FORBESVP, PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Highest-paid employee
40$370,386$33,766
MARIA ACEBALVP STRATEGIC DEV CORP SECRETARY
Officer
40$340,907$39,213
MARGOT L PRITZKERCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
KATHARINE ALBRIGHTTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEFFREY S ARONINTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ALEX M AZAR IITRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DONNA BARKSDALETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MERCEDES BASSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MIGUEL MIKE BEZOSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAWRENCE BOBOTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BETH BROOKETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
WILLIAM BYNUMTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TROY CARTERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CESAR R CONDETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PHYLLIS COULTERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KATIE COURICTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANDREA CUNNINGHAMTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JAMES S CROWNTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KENNETH L DAVIS MDTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN DOERRTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
THELMA DUGGINTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ARNE DUNCANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL D EISNERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
L BROOKS ENTWISTLETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ELIZABETH FLEMINGTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ROGER FERGUSONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
HENRY LOUIS GATES JRTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RUSSELL GOLDSMITHTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANTONIO GRACIASTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PATRICK W GROSSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ARJUN GUPTATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JANE HARMANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KAYA HENDERSONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARK HOPLAMAZIANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GERALD D HOSIERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ROBERT HURSTTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SONIA KAPADIATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL KLEINTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KELI LEETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAURA LAUDERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MELONY LEWISTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JAMES M MANYIKATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CRAIG MARTINTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BONNIE PALMER MCCLOSKEYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANNE WELSH MCNULTYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DIANE L MORRISTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KARLHEINZ MUHRTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CLARE MUNANATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JERRY MURDOCKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
HER MAJESTY QUEEN NOORTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
OLARA A OTUNNUTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ELAINE PAGELSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ASUTOSH PADHITRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PERRI PELTZTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CARRIE WALTON PENNERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CARLA PINEYRO-SUBLETTTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
WILLIAM RESNICKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RICARDO SALINASTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANNA DEAVERE SMITHTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ROBERT K STEELTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAURIE M TISCHTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTOPHER VARELASTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RODERICK K VON LIPSEYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
VIN WEBERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JESSIE WOOLLEY-WILSONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
2300 N ST NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20037-1122
In care of
% PAYROLL DEPARTMENT
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
DANIEL R PORTERFIELD, 2300 N STREET NW 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20037
Signed the 990
ANDREW AXELROD, EVP FIN. & ENTERPRISE BUS. DEV
Phone
(202) 736-5800
Return prepared by
CBIZ ADVISORS LLC

Mission

WE DRIVE CHANGE THROUGH DIALOGUE, LEADERSHIP, AND ACTION TO HELP SOLVE SOCIETY'S GREATEST CHALLENGES.THE ASPEN INSTITUTE IGNITES HUMAN POTENTIAL TO BUILD UNDERSTANDING AND CREATE NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR A BETTER WORLD. WE DRIVE CHANGE THROUGH DIALOGUE, LEADERSHIP, AND ACTION TO HELP SOLVE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME IN SERVICE OF A MORE FREE, JUST, AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY. WE DO SO BY CONVENING A BROAD SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE, WITH A FOCUS ON DIALOGUE, COMMUNITY BUILDING, AND CREATIVE COLLABORATION; CREATING TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT ENABLE DIVERSE LEADERS TO DISCOVER AND REFINE THEIR APPROACHES; AND ENABLING POWERFUL, PRACTICAL, AND APPLICABLE SOLUTIONS THAT ACCELERATE PROGRESS, EMPHASIZING CO-CREATION AND PARTNERSHIP. THE ASPEN INSTITUTE IS HEADQUARTERED IN WASHINGTON, DC, AND HAS A CAMPUS IN ASPEN, COLORADO, AS WELL AS AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF PARTNERS.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • POLICY PROGRAMS: THE ASPEN INSTITUTE'S POLICY PROGRAMS EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS FOR PROBLEMS RANGING FROM ECONOMIC DISTRESS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY, FROM CLIMATE CHANGE TO RACIAL DISPARITIES, IN AN EFFORT TO INFLUENCE DECISION-MAKERS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO ADVANCE THE BEST AND MOST INSPIRED PROPOSALS. OUR POLICY PROGRAMS RANGE IN SIZE FROM $100,000 TO $15 MILLION IN ANNUAL REVENUE AND EXPENSES.
    Expenses $128,808,237 · grants $33,275,712 · revenue $22,120,144
  • CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: IN ADDITION TO ITS HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, DC, THE ASPEN INSTITUTE ALSO CONDUCTS MUCH OF ITS WORK ON ITS FOUNDING CAMPUS IN ASPEN, COLORADO, WHICH PROVIDES NATURAL BEAUTY AND QUIET SURROUNDINGS THAT ENCOURAGE THOUGHTFUL REFLECTION AND REFRESHES MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT. ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT USE THE CAMPUS IS OUR ASPEN EXECUTIVE SEMINAR WHICH CHALLENGES INDIVIDUALS TO THINK MORE DEEPLY, LISTEN MORE ATTENTIVELY, AND REFINE THEIR ABILITY TO LEAD IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX AND CONFLICTING WORLD. SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ENDURING QUESTIONS OF ETHICAL AND EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP, GAINING A GREATER CAPACITY TO LEAD WITH COURAGE AND CONVICTION.
    Expenses $18,385,541
  • PUBLIC PROGRAMS: THE INSTITUTE'S PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO FREELY DISSEMINATE THE ORGANIZATION'S IDEAS AND TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO CONVENE INCLUSIVELY AND ENGAGE IN THOUGHTFUL, NONPARTISAN DIALOGUE. OUR MAJOR EVENTS INCLUDE THE ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL, ASPEN IDEAS HEALTH, THE ASPEN SECURITY FORUM, CITY LAB AND ASPEN WORDS. THESE AND OUR OTHER PUBLIC FORUMS ENGAGE OVER 15,000 MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ANNUALLY.
    Expenses $11,485,163 · revenue $10,207,348
  • THE CENTER FOR RISING GENERATIONS IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT CIVIL DIALOGUE, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT BECOME A PREDICTABLE PART OF THE JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD IN OUR SOCIETY AND AROUND THE WORLD. THE CENTER FOR RISING GENERATIONS:- WORKS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR, AND ELEVATE THE VOICES OF, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS AT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE,- CREATES OPPORTUNITIES TO CONVENE AND BUILD COMMUNITY BEYOND ASPEN,- ENCOURAGES INNOVATION THAT HELPS EMPHASIZE THE ASSETS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE BRING TO HELP ADDRESS TODAY'S CHALLENGES.
    Expenses $5,172,999 · grants $172,098 · revenue $23,064
  • OTHER RESTRICTED PROGRAMS, ASPEN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK AND INNOVATION FUNDS, AND SEMINARS
    Expenses $21,647,174 · grants $3,027,674 · revenue $3,854,546

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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Not on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
84-0399006
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1951
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Social science (V200)
Assets (IRS master file)
$756,622,679
Income (IRS master file)
$666,645,462

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$443,841,184$234,264,178$756,622,679XML
990-TDecember 2024–––IRS
990December 2023$232,109,335$225,738,675$519,114,037XML
990-TDecember 2023–––IRS
990December 2022$189,761,926$192,935,305$475,882,871IRS
990-TDecember 2022–––IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990-TDecember 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990-TDecember 2020–––IRS
990December 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 84-0399006).

Questions about THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC

What is the EIN of THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC is 84-0399006.
Is THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1951.
Are donations to THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does THE ASPEN 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 THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
Who is the principal officer of THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names DANIEL R PORTERFIELD.
Who are the officers and directors of THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 81 people; 12 received compensation from the organization, the highest $802,875 (DANIEL R PORTERFIELD, PRESIDENT & CEO).
How much revenue does THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $443,841,184, expenses of $234,264,178 and total assets of $756,622,679 at year end.

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