Nonprofit · EIN 91-1521697
DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
Tax-exempt · SEATTLE, WA 98104
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $16,504,703 | $13,687,140 | $2,817,563 | $14,543,906 | $2,081,478 | $12,462,428 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 (amended) | $11,832,816 | $13,203,778 | -$1,370,962 | $10,129,488 | $484,623 | $9,644,865 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $10,240,771 | $9,846,072 | $394,699 | $11,739,895 | $724,068 | $11,015,827 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $15,676,576
- Membership dues
- $1,212,776
- Program service revenue
- $489,980
- Investment income
- $189,893
- Royalties
- $119,208
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $9,419
- Other revenue
- $148,254
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $3,940,738
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,136,608
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,150,774
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $4,909,126
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $11,469
- Accounting fees
- $47,015
- Occupancy
- $367,434
- Travel
- $342,549
- Depreciation
- $36,138
- Program services (functional)
- $12,649,213
- Management and general (functional)
- $176,354
- Fundraising (functional)
- $861,573
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $10,129,488
- Total assets, end of year
- $14,543,906
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,081,478
- Net assets, end of year
- $12,462,428
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $172,439
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,059,082
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $11,403,346
- Gross receipts
- $16,539,918
- Employees
- 43
- Volunteers
- 1,521
- Year formed
- 1991
- State of legal domicile
- WA
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, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN MEYER | EMPLOYEE Key employee | 40 | $300,000 | $11,369 |
| STEVEN BURI | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $300,330 | $7,813 |
| JONATHAN CHOE | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | – | $233,661 | $10,318 |
| JOHN WEST | VICE PRES/PR Officer | 40 | $215,000 | $8,976 |
| KERI INGRAHAM | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | – | $171,091 | $11,159 |
| DAVID KLINGHOFFER | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | – | $135,250 | $31,730 |
| JONATHAN WITT | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | – | $152,000 | $9,837 |
| STEVE SCHWARZ | DIR FIN & OP Officer | 40 | $141,500 | $11,666 |
| NATE JACOBSON | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | – | $141,250 | $9,598 |
| KELLEY UNGER | SECRETARY Officer | 40 | $127,250 | $10,577 |
| BRUCE CHAPMAN | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $2,080 | $47 |
| DAVID BARBER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| BYRON NUTLEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| KATHY CONNERS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE DUNN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
13 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC GARCIA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| SKIP GILLILAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| RICHARD GREILING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| HOWARD AHMANSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| WALTER MYERS III | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| ANNMARIE KELLY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| CHARLES LUNDBERG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| MARIANA PARKS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| BRYAN MISTELE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| EDMUND MOY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| COLE SMEAD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| JAMES SPADY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| PAUL TELLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 27 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN BURI | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $252,539 | $825 |
| STEPHEN MEYER | EMPLOYEE Key employee | 40 | $218,000 | $23,816 |
| JOHN WEST | VICE PRES/PR Officer | 40 | $215,000 | $14,845 |
| KERI INGRAHM | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $155,120 | $12,338 |
| JONATHAN CHOE | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $163,894 | $1,937 |
| DAVID KLINGHOFFER | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $131,421 | $28,291 |
| JONATHAN WITT | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $147,734 | $11,860 |
| NATE JACOBSON | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $137,355 | $13,051 |
| STEVE SCHWARZ | DIR FIN & OP Officer | 40 | $130,214 | $12,746 |
| KELLEY UNGER | SECRETARY Officer | 40 | $123,659 | $12,569 |
| BRUCE CHAPMAN | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $10,400 | $16 |
| DAVID BARBER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| CHUCK BARBO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| BYRON NUTLEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| KATHY CONNERS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE DUNN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC GARCIA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| SKIP GILLILAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD GREILING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| HOWARD AHMANSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| WALTER MYERS III | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| ANNMARIE KELLY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| MARIANA PARKS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN MISTELE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| EDMUND MOY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| COLE SMEAD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES SPADY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 28 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN MEYER | EMPLOYEE Key employee | 40 | $233,008 | $11,172 |
| STEVEN BURI | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $227,601 | $1,095 |
| JOHN WEST | VICE PRES/PR Officer | 40 | $199,941 | $13,079 |
| KERI INGRAHM | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $148,420 | $10,746 |
| JONATHAN WITT | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $144,642 | $8,522 |
| DAVID KLINGHOFFER | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,284 | $20,318 |
| JONATHAN CHOE | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $145,266 | $293 |
| NATE JACOBSON | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $134,500 | $10,834 |
| STEVE SCHWARZ | DIR FIN & OP Officer | 40 | $122,264 | $11,053 |
| KELLEY UNGER | SECRETARY Officer | 40 | $121,559 | $11,451 |
| BRUCE CHAPMAN | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $12,480 | $115 |
| DAVID BARBER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHUCK BARBO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BYRON NUTLEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHY CONNERS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM DEMBSKI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE DUNN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SKIP GILLILAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD GREILING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HOWARD AHMANSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WALTER MYERS III | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNMARIE KELLY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIANA PARKS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN MISTELE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EDMUND MOY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| COLE SMEAD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES SPADY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONY WHATLEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 506 2ND AVE STE 1700, SEATTLE, WA 98104-2354
- In care of
- % ERIC GARCIA
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- STEVEN BURI, 506 2ND AVE SUITE 1700, SEATTLE, WA 98104
- Signed the 990
- STEVE SCHWARZ, DIR FIN & OPS/TREAS
- Phone
- (206) 292-0401
- Website
- WWW.DISCOVERY.ORG
- Return prepared by
- SHANNON & ASSOCIATES LLP
Mission
TO ADVANCE A CULTURE OF PURPOSE, CREATIVITY, AND INNOVATION IN A DIVERSE SET OF FIELDS. THIS MISSION IS ACHIEVED THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND ANALYSIS OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.
Program accomplishments
- THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND CULTURE PROMOTES RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND DISCUSSION RELATING TO THE SCIENTIFIC THEORY OF INTELLIGENT DESIGN. THE CENTER'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE SPONSORSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND WRITING; THE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS, ARTICLES, REPORTS, AND CURRICULA; THE ORGANIZING OF SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES; AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES, PODCASTS, AND VIDEOS.Expenses $10,501,059 · grants $3,612,702 · revenue $2,723,723
- THE CENTER ON WEALTH AND POVERTY CONNECTS THE PRACTICAL TRUTHS OF ECONOMICS WITH THE PERENNIAL TRUTHS OF ETHICS. THE PROGRAM - HOME TO LEADING SCHOLARS IN PHILOSOPHY AND ECONOMICS - IS BUILDING SUSTAINED AND ACCESSIBLE DEFENSE OF FREE ENTERPRISE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND STEWARDSHIP IN THE MORAL CATEGORIES CONSONANT WITH MOST AMERICANS.Expenses $932,528 · grants $211,913 · revenue $2,761
- THE AI PROGRAM (WALTER BRADLEY CENTER FOR NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT DISCOVERY INSTITUTE) EXPLORES THE BENEFITS AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGES RAISED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN LIGHT OF THE ENDURING TRUTH OF HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM. PEOPLE KNOW AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL THAT THEY ARE NOT MACHINES. BUT FAULTY THINKING CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO ASSENT TO VIEWS THAT IN THEIR HEART OF HEARTS THEY KNOW TO BE UNTRUE. THE BRADLEY CENTER SEEKS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS - AND OUR SOCIETY AT LARGE - TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE NOT MACHINES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELPING TO PUT MACHINES (ESPECIALLY COMPUTERS AND AI) IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE.Expenses $680,957 · grants $21,000 · revenue $199,975
- OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE: THE CHAPMAN CENTER FOR CITIZEN LEADERSHIP IS A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN PUBLIC AND/OR COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE CENTER ENABLES YOUNG LEADERS TO CONSIDER THE FOUNDATIONAL IDEAS OF LEADERSHIP IN A FREE SOCIETY BY CONNECTING THEM WITH MENTORS AND FELLOW YOUNG LEADERS THROUGH SEMINARS, LECTURES, AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS. THE TECHNOLOGY AND DEMOCRACY PROJECT EXAMINES HOW NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE TRANSFORMING BUSINESS, EDUCATION, DEFENSE, AND GOVERNMENT AND PROPOSES HOW SOCIETY CAN GET THE MOST BENEFIT (AND LEAST HARM) FROM THESE DEVELOPMENTS. THE CASCADIA CENTER PROGRAM PROMOTES REGIONAL COOPERATION AS THE KEY TO ENSURING MOBILITY, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. THE CENTER ON HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM EXAMINES A CONSTELLATION OF ISSUES SUCH AS ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA, EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH, HUMAN GENETIC MANIPULATION, HUMAN CLONING, AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ISSUES. THE RELIGION, LIBERTY, AND CIVIC LIFE PROGRAM EXAMINES THE PROPER ROLE OF RELIGION IN A FREE SOCIETY. THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR TRANSFORMING EDUCATION WORKS WITH STATE LEGISLATORS, POLICYMAKERS, AND PARENTS TO PROMOTE SYSTEMIC CHANGE TO OUR NATION'S EDUCATION SYSTEM, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PARENTAL CHOICE, IMPROVED TEACHER QUALITY, AND BETTER GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES.Expenses $534,669 · grants $95,123 · revenue $14,871
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 year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 91-1521697
- 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
- 1996
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Unknown (Z99Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $14,543,906
- Income (IRS master file)
- $16,539,918
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $16,504,703 | $13,687,140 | $14,543,906 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $11,832,816 | $13,203,778 | $10,129,488 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $10,240,771 | $9,846,072 | $11,739,895 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $10,099,775 | $10,816,758 | $11,431,910 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | 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 91-1521697).
Questions about DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
- What is the EIN of DISCOVERY INSTITUTE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of DISCOVERY INSTITUTE is 91-1521697.
- Is DISCOVERY INSTITUTE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1996.
- Are donations to DISCOVERY INSTITUTE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does DISCOVERY 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 DISCOVERY INSTITUTE due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did DISCOVERY INSTITUTE last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of DISCOVERY INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names STEVEN BURI.
- Who are the officers and directors of DISCOVERY INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 28 people; 11 received compensation from the organization, the highest $300,000 (STEPHEN MEYER, EMPLOYEE).
- How much revenue does DISCOVERY INSTITUTE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $16,504,703, expenses of $13,687,140 and total assets of $14,543,906 at year end.
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