The Brookings Institution
The Brookings Institution reported $115.7 million in revenue and $107.7 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $83.01 went to program services, $9.25 to management and general costs and $7.74 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 67.6% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $1,370,231 (PRESIDENT). 197 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 46% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $108MFor 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
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $116MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 83.0% | 81.3% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 7.7% | 1.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.11 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 67.6% | 81.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 1.1% | 4.4% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $1,370,231 | $467,896 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.27% | 2.13% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 197 | 19 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 56.8 | 16.5 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 49 of 49 | 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
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseEconomic studies:the economic studies program provides analysis of current and emerging economic issues to inform public policy through innovative and practical policy solutions. Over the past year, economic studies scholars conducted rigorous research and policy analysis in areas including but not limited to sound monetary and fiscal policy, taxation, inclusive socio-economic policy, economic opportunity and mobility, health care and social insurance economics, and the efficient working of markets. The economic studies program disseminated its frequently cited scholarship in published…
Global economy and development:the global economy & development (global) program offers innovative policy solutions and tools to help global, national, and local policymakers build more equitable and sustainable economic systems that deliver prosperity and well-being for all. Global's interdisciplinary team of experts provides thought leadership, cutting-edge research, and innovative solutions that inform policy and international cooperation in thematic areas including harnessing technology for inclusive growth and development; development finance; forecasting trends; global education and…
Foreign policy:the foreign policy program conducts research, analysis and convening in order to inform public understanding and policy dialogue concerning the most pressing geopolitical and security issues facing the U.S. And the world. In addition to the program regularly hosting events, foreign policy scholars have published a number of reports and books while also making appearances on the pages and airwaves of major news and policy outlets across the political spectrum in the U.S. And around the globe
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · 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 Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $1,327,657 | $0 | $42,574 | $1,370,231 |
| GENERAL COUNSEL Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $660,245 | $0 | $91,441 | $751,686 |
| SR VP OF FINANCE & COO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $550,595 | $0 | $59,606 | $610,201 |
| SENIOR FELLOW Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $520,695 | $0 | $82,314 | $603,009 |
| SR FELLOW & PRES. ADV. (THRU 6/25) Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $515,116 | $0 | $54,425 | $569,541 |
| CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $447,871 | $0 | $100,258 | $548,129 |
| VP & DIR, ECONOMIC STUDIES Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $413,203 | $0 | $110,412 | $523,615 |
| SENIOR FELLOW Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $369,582 | $0 | $97,505 | $467,087 |
197 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from The Brookings Institution (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $7.6M (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
FY2025 · 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–1b49 · 49 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 5603
- Volunteers Part I, line 653
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| ITI SYSTEMS Av (vr/ar) implementation | $1,081,355 |
| CAMBER COLLECTIVE Strategy consultants | $806,400 |
| ORR GROUP INC Non-profit consulting | $765,000 |
| CITY SECURITY CONSULTANTS INC Security services | $758,770 |
| METZ CULINARY MANAGEMENT LLC Culinary services | $623,950 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 34 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
82 private foundations reported grants to The Brookings Institution totaling $29M 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 Brookings Institution'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 Brookings Institution, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 The Brookings Institution spent in FY2025, $83.01 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
Embed on your site
Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Alzheimer's Drug Discovery FoundationNew York, NY · revenue $82M · programs 84.0% · 2025
- Ithaka HarborsNew York, NY · revenue $126M · programs 91.4% · 2024
- American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy ResearchWashington, DC · revenue $75M · programs 78.5% · FY2025
- The Urban InstituteWashington, DC · revenue $130M · programs 79.3% · 2024
- Human Resources Research OrganizationAlexandria, VA · revenue $70M · programs 81.3% · FY2025
All social science charities · Largest charities in District of Columbia
Questions people ask
How much of The Brookings Institution's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, The Brookings Institution reported that 83.0% of its $107.7 million in expenses went to program services, 9.3% to management and general and 7.7% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does The Brookings Institution pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation The Brookings Institution reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $1,370,231, for the role of PRESIDENT (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does The Brookings Institution get its money?
Of $115.7 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 67.6% came from contributions and grants (including 1.1% from government grants) and 1.1% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is The Brookings Institution a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 53-0196577 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), 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
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202601359349300310 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202531349349306718 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202441309349303914 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202301239349300125 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202200899349301320 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202131339349300003 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 53-0196577: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.