Program 1 · 35.1% of program spending · $1.4M in grants $445.4M
Education, public programs and exhibitions
The 990 read · EIN 53-0206027 · DC · Fiscal year FY ending Sep 2025
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution: CEO salary, finances and where donations go
In its own words
“"increase and diffusion of knowledge" is the mission set forth by james smithson.”
Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.
Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated
- Top pay
- $960K Lonnie G Bunch III, 0.1% of spending
- Revenue
- $1.91B 80.2% from donations and grants
- Spent
- $1.70B 74.7% on programs, as reported
- Net assets
- $6.51B end of FY ending Sep 2025
- Savings
- 45.9 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
- People
- 7,334 employees, 100,729 volunteers
01 · Red flags
1 thing to look at.
We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.
low
Business transactions with insiders or their companies
Part IV line 28b answered yes.
Form 990 Part IV, lines 28a–28c; Schedule L Part IV02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Sep 2025
Of each dollar it spent, 74.7¢ went to programs, as reported.
The split the charity filed.
74.7¢
Programs, $1.27B
5.5¢
Fundraising, $93.5M
19.8¢
Admin, $336.2M
Cost to raise $1
6¢
as reported
For each dollar donated, Smithsonian Institution spent 6¢ on fundraising.
Fundraising ÷ $1.53B contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX03 · What it does
What it told the IRS it spent on.
The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.
04 · The savings
Net assets: $3.24B to $6.51B in 11 years.
Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.
3241
3588
3639
3831
3984
4161
4334
4637
5496
5410
5690
6509
05 · Who gets paid
The 8 highest-paid people.
Reportable pay in FY ending Sep 2025, from the charity and related organizations.
Lonnie G Bunch III
Secretary of the Smithsonian
$960,266
Amy Chen
Chief Investment Officer
$738,911
Meroe Park
Deputy Secretary & COO
$640,049
Carol Leblanc
President, Smithsonian Enterprises
$608,701
Ronald Cortez
Under Sec for Fin/Admin/CFO
$533,297
Stephanie Stebich
Sr Adv to the Under Sec Museums/Culture
$493,192
Melissa Chiu
Dir, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Gar
$478,729
Chase Robinson
Dir, National Museum of Asian Art
$476,187
Largest outside contractors
| Contractor | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksmootconsigli a Joint Venture | Construction | $116,566,698 |
| Universal Protection Service Lp | Security | $30,127,783 |
| Dell Marketing L P | Information technology | $5,290,889 |
| 100 Discovery Park De LLC | Real estate | $5,275,729 |
| Raad Construction Group LLC | Construction | $4,470,932 |
06 · Questions
The questions people ask about the Smithsonian Institution.
Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.
How much does the Smithsonian Institution CEO make?
Lonnie G Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian, received $960,266 in reportable compensation in FY ending Sep 2025, 0.1% of Smithsonian Institution's $1.70B in spending.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VIIWhat percentage of Smithsonian Institution donations go to programs?
Smithsonian Institution reported 74.7% of FY ending Sep 2025 spending as programs, 5.5% as fundraising and 19.8% as management.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IXHow much money does Smithsonian Institution have?
Net assets were $6.51B at the end of FY ending Sep 2025, about 45.9 months of spending.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part XDoes Smithsonian Institution have any red flags in its filing?
Its latest Form 990 triggered 1 of our twelve screening rules: business transactions with insiders or their companies. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025)07 · Sources and citing
Every number, traced.
- Smithsonian Institution Form 990, FY ending Sep 2025 (IRS e-file)
- Smithsonian Institution Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page
Amir Arani, “Smithsonian Institution: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/smithsonian-institution/