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The Aspen Institute Inc

EIN 84-0399006 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

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.

Income
$443.8 million
Spending
$234.3 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
754
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$911,570, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    65 of 66 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $128.8 million spent. 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.
  2. $18.4 million spent. 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.
  3. $11.5 million spent. 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.
  4. $5.2 million spent. 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.
  5. $21.6 million spent. OTHER RESTRICTED PROGRAMS, ASPEN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK AND INNOVATION FUNDS, AND SEMINARS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1951.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.