The Urban Institute
The Urban Institute reported $129.6 million in revenue and $148.5 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $79.34 went to program services, $16.75 to management and general costs and $3.91 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 90.0% of the total. Government grants made up 31.2%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $1,262,624 (PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER). 335 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 2% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $148MFor context, the median across 54 covered social science charities: $84.80 programs, $13.80 management, $1.40 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $130MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 79.3% | 81.3% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 16.8% | 13.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 3.9% | 1.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.05 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 90.0% | 81.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 31.2% | 1.1% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 4.4% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $1,262,624 | $467,896 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.85% | 2.13% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 335 | 19 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 19.0 | 16.5 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 31 of 32 | 96.5% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
2024 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseSocial sciences - research and public policy analysis: the research to action lab is an innovation hub serving decisionmakers and creative thinkers eager to effect social change. We draw on the breadth and depth of the Urban Institute's research insights to test new strategies and develop cutting-edge tools, programs, and trainings, as well as provide strategic and philanthropic advice to public, nonprofit, and private-sector leaders. Nimble and creative, the lab takes an integrated approach to helping decisionmakers navigate current challenges and seize future opportunities in localities…
Social sciences - research and public policy analysis: at the center on labor, human services, and population, we study how family, youth, and individual well-being is shaped by economic, social, and demographic trends, and how policies and programs can improve economic security, work, and child welfare and development. Understanding how families are faring in the face of economic pressures, demographic change, and public health and social challenges is essential for policymakers and practitioners who oversee social services and programs. Our research explores the implications of these…
Social sciences - research and public policy analysis: the income and benefits policy center gives decisionmakers crucial information by predicting how policy changes will affect people, programs, and government. We analyze family economic well-being from childhood through retirement and undertake research on a wide variety of issues, including income support, social insurance, taxes, and child support; education and training programs and policies; employers, workplaces, and the labor market; and workforce development systems and policies. As technological and demographic shifts transform the…
Highest reported compensation
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Director/trustee, officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $971,063 | $0 | $291,561 | $1,262,624 |
| SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $407,826 | $0 | $55,452 | $463,278 |
| VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WORKRISE Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $397,461 | $0 | $49,668 | $447,129 |
| SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, IMPACT AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $376,572 | $0 | $69,651 | $446,223 |
| CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $377,915 | $0 | $66,022 | $443,937 |
| INSTITUTE FELLOW, RESEARCH Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $349,939 | $0 | $68,889 | $418,828 |
| VICE PRESIDENT, CONTROLLER & TREASURER Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $292,576 | $0 | $33,032 | $325,608 |
| CHIEF OF STAFF, SR. DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY & CORPORATE SECRETARY (EFFECTIVE 03/202 Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $207,528 | $0 | $33,824 | $241,352 |
335 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from The Urban Institute (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $1.6M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
2024 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b32 · 31 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2Yes
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5748
- Volunteers Part I, line 659
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| MATHEMATICA INC Subcontract/consulting | $1,853,741 |
| DALBERG ADVISORS Subcontract/consulting | $1,008,032 |
| AUS Inc Subcontract/consulting | $972,605 |
| RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE Subcontract/consulting | $874,612 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 73 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
46 private foundations reported grants to The Urban Institute totaling $37M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from The Urban Institute's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for The Urban Institute, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
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Of every $100 The Urban Institute spent in 2024, $79.34 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Ithaka HarborsNew York, NY · revenue $126M · programs 91.4% · 2024
- American Psychological AssociationWashington, DC · revenue $146M · programs 76.0% · 2024
- The Brookings InstitutionWashington, DC · revenue $116M · programs 83.0% · FY2025
- National Opinion Research CenterChicago, IL · revenue $397M · programs 67.1% · 2024
- Alzheimer's Drug Discovery FoundationNew York, NY · revenue $82M · programs 84.0% · 2025
All social science charities · Largest charities in District of Columbia
Questions people ask
How much of The Urban Institute's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, The Urban Institute reported that 79.3% of its $148.5 million in expenses went to program services, 16.8% to management and general and 3.9% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does The Urban Institute pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation The Urban Institute reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $1,262,624, for the role of PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does The Urban Institute get its money?
Of $129.6 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 90.0% came from contributions and grants (including 31.2% from government grants) and 0.0% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is The Urban Institute a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 52-0880375 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202533219349307803 · read the filing · XML
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202442629349301044 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202332269349301493 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202242179349300944 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202123129349303242 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202033189349309518 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 52-0880375: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.