Aspen Center for Physics
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS IS A SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION WHICH PROMOTES ORGANIZED RESEARCH IN PHYSICS, ASTROPHYSICS, AND RELATED FIELDS THROUGH PROGRAMS OF INDIVIDUAL AND COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH, WORKSHOPS, AND CONFERENCES, AS WELL AS PROMOTES THE EDUCATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH PUBLIC LECTURES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $4.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 16.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 58%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $169,791, admin vice p
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 2536 of 83 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 (2)
- $3.7 million spent. SUMMER AND WINTER PROGRAMS: SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1962, ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS HAS PROVIDED A UNIQUE PHYSICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENT IDEALLY SUITED FOR STIMULATING INTERACTIONS, COLLABORATIONS, AND INNOVATION IN PHYSICS RESEARCH. FOR 16 WEEKS EACH SUMMER, MORE THAN 500 LEADING INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS, FREED FROM THE USUAL CONSTRAINTS AND DISTRACTIONS OF THEIR HOME INSTITUTIONS, COME TO ASPEN TO ENGAGE IN RESEARCH AT THE FOREFRONT OF THEIR FIELDS. RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED: (A) IN THE CONTEXT OF WORKSHOPS IN AREAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF PHYSICS RESEARCH; (B) IN SMALL GROUPS FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS; OR, (C) BY INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATORS CARRYING OUT THEIR OWN RESEARCH. THE SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS EMPHASIZE OPEN PROBLEMS AT THE CUTTING EDGE AND ARE DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE INFORMAL INTERACTIONS WITHIN EACH AREA AND CROSS-FERTILIZATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT AREAS. WHILE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THE CENTRAL AREAS OF PHYSICS (PARTICLE PHYSICS, ASTROPHYSICS, AND CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS), ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS HAS BEEN OPEN TO NEW DIRECTIONS IN PHYSICS AS WELL AS TO SCIENCE AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN PHYSICS AND OTHER DISCIPLINES (BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, ENGINEERING, MATERIAL SCIENCE, AND MATHEMATICS). IN ADDITION, 8 ONE- WEEK WINTER CONFERENCES BRING TOGETHER UP TO 110 RESEARCHERS PER WEEK IN AREAS OF CURRENT INTEREST IN PHYSICS AND INTER-DISCIPLINARY PHYSICS RESEARCH. THE CENTER PROVIDES OFFICE SPACE, OFFICE SUPPLIES, MEETING SPACE, LIBRARY FACILITIES, AND NETWORK ACCESS TO ITS PARTICIPANTS. SUPPORT IS PROVIDED TO ALL INDIVIDUALS DURING THE SUMMER SESSION FOR WHOM LODGING IS ARRANGED BY THE CENTER. PHYSICISTS' SUMMER BILLS ARE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT; OVERPAYMENTS ARE REFUNDED BY CHECK. WINTER SUPPORT IS USUALLY AWARDED TO JUNIOR SCIENTISTS AND THOSE WITH A DEMONSTRATED NEED IN ORDER TO ATTEND. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 THERE WERE 561 SUMMER PARTICIPANTS (SUMMER 2024) AND 576 WINTER PARTICIPANTS (BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH 2025). SUMMER AND WINTER PROGRAMS: SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1962, ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS HAS PROVIDED A UNIQUE PHYSICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENT IDEALLY SUITED FOR STIMULATING INTERACTIONS, COLLABORATIONS, AND INNOVATION IN PHYSICS RESEARCH. FOR 16 WEEKS EACH SUMMER, MORE THAN 500 LEADING INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS, FREED FROM THE USUAL CONSTRAINTS AND DISTRACTIONS OF THEIR HOME INSTITUTIONS, COME TO ASPEN TO ENGAGE IN RESEARCH AT THE FOREFRONT OF THEIR FIELDS. RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED: (A) IN THE CONTEXT OF WORKSHOPS IN AREAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF PHYSICS RESEARCH; (B) IN SMALL GROUPS FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS; OR, (C) BY INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATORS CARRYING OUT THEIR OWN RESEARCH. THE SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS EMPHASIZE OPEN PROBLEMS AT THE CUTTING EDGE AND ARE DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE INFORMAL INTERACTIONS WITHIN EACH AREA AND CROSS-FERTILIZATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT AREAS. WHILE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THE CENTRAL AREAS OF PHYSICS (PARTICLE PHYSICS, ASTROPHYSICS, AND CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS), ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS HAS BEEN OPEN TO NEW DIRECTIONS IN PHYSICS AS WELL AS TO SCIENCE AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN PHYSICS AND OTHER DISCIPLINES (BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, ENGINEERING, MATERIAL SCIENCE, AND MATHEMATICS). IN ADDITION, 8 ONE- WEEK WINTER CONFERENCES BRING TOGETHER UP TO 110 RESEARCHERS PER WEEK IN AREAS OF CURRENT INTEREST IN PHYSICS AND INTER-DISCIPLINARY PHYSICS RESEARCH. THE CENTER PROVIDES OFFICE SPACE, OFFICE SUPPLIES, MEETING SPACE, LIBRARY FACILITIES, AND NETWORK ACCESS TO ITS PARTICIPANTS. SUPPORT IS PROVIDED TO ALL INDIVIDUALS DURING THE SUMMER SESSION FOR WHOM LODGING IS ARRANGED BY THE CENTER. PHYSICISTS' SUMMER BILLS ARE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT; OVERPAYMENTS ARE REFUNDED BY CHECK. WINTER SUPPORT IS USUALLY AWARDED TO JUNIOR SCIENTISTS AND THOSE WITH A DEMONSTRATED NEED IN ORDER TO ATTEND. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 THERE WERE 561 SUMMER PARTICIPANTS (SUMMER 2024) AND 576 WINTER PARTICIPANTS (BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH 2025).
- $31,515 spent. OUTREACH PROGRAM: ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS OUTREACH PROGRAM INCLUDES MANY OPTIONS AND AVENUES FOR THE PUBLIC TO BECOME INFORMED ABOUT CUTTING-EDGE PHYSICS RESEARCH, AND TO ENGAGE CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER EDUCATION IN THE SCIENCES. (1) PUBLIC LECTURES. A CORE OUTREACH ACTIVITY FOR THE CENTER. RENOWNED PHYSICISTS DELIVER WINTER AND SUMMER LECTURES IN ASPEN VENUES DELINEATING THEIR CURRENT RESEARCH OR CURRENT SCIENTIFIC TOPICS OF GENERAL INTEREST. SUMMER ATTENDANCE AT 10 LECTURES WAS 1,163 PEOPLE. WINTER ATTENDANCE AT 8 LECTURES WAS 861. (2) HIGH SCHOOL MENTOR PROGRAM. ACP HIRES RISING SENIOR PHYSICS STUDENTS FROM 3-5 VALLEY HIGH SCHOOLS TO WORK FOR A SUMMER WEEK AT THE CENTER TO SEE WHAT THEORETICAL PHYSICISTS DO AND TO CHAT WITH 2 OR 3 PHYSICISTS ABOUT COLLEGE, CAREERS, AND/OR SCIENCE. ABOUT 14 PHYSICISTS AND STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN 2024. (3) HIGH SCHOOL MONTHLY RADIO SHOW--RADIO PHYSICS. VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS STUDENTS FROM 3-5 SCHOOLS INTERVIEW PHYSICISTS ON A MONTHLY RADIO SHOW. THIS INTRODUCES THE STUDENTS TO SCIENCE, PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND INFORMS THE LISTENING PUBLIC ABOUT CURRENT PHYSICS TOPICS. THERE WERE 8 STUDENT AND PHYSICIST PARTICIPANTS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. (4) ALL PUBLIC LECTURES ARE RECORDED AND ALL VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ON THE ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND WITH LINKS FROM THE ACP WEBSITE. THERE ARE OVER 350 ACP SCIENTIFIC LECTURES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT NO CHARGE. OUTREACH PROGRAM: ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS OUTREACH PROGRAM INCLUDES MANY OPTIONS AND AVENUES FOR THE PUBLIC TO BECOME INFORMED ABOUT CUTTING-EDGE PHYSICS RESEARCH, AND TO ENGAGE CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER EDUCATION IN THE SCIENCES. (1) PUBLIC LECTURES. A CORE OUTREACH ACTIVITY FOR THE CENTER. RENOWNED PHYSICISTS DELIVER WINTER AND SUMMER LECTURES IN ASPEN VENUES DELINEATING THEIR CURRENT RESEARCH OR CURRENT SCIENTIFIC TOPICS OF GENERAL INTEREST. SUMMER ATTENDANCE AT 10 LECTURES WAS 1,163 PEOPLE. WINTER ATTENDANCE AT 8 LECTURES WAS 861. (2) HIGH SCHOOL MENTOR PROGRAM. ACP HIRES RISING SENIOR PHYSICS STUDENTS FROM 3-5 VALLEY HIGH SCHOOLS TO WORK FOR A SUMMER WEEK AT THE CENTER TO SEE WHAT THEORETICAL PHYSICISTS DO AND TO CHAT WITH 2 OR 3 PHYSICISTS ABOUT COLLEGE, CAREERS, AND/OR SCIENCE. ABOUT 14 PHYSICISTS AND STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN 2024. (3) HIGH SCHOOL MONTHLY RADIO SHOW--RADIO PHYSICS. VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS STUDENTS FROM 3-5 SCHOOLS INTERVIEW PHYSICISTS ON A MONTHLY RADIO SHOW. THIS INTRODUCES THE STUDENTS TO SCIENCE, PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND INFORMS THE LISTENING PUBLIC ABOUT CURRENT PHYSICS TOPICS. THERE WERE 8 STUDENT AND PHYSICIST PARTICIPANTS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. (4) ALL PUBLIC LECTURES ARE RECORDED AND ALL VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ON THE ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND WITH LINKS FROM THE ACP WEBSITE. THERE ARE OVER 350 ACP SCIENTIFIC LECTURES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT NO CHARGE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1968.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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