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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 84-0399006 · DC · Fiscal year 2024

The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute Inc: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“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.”

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
$803K Daniel R Porterfield, 0.3% of spending
Revenue
$443.8M 85.9% from donations and grants
Spent
$234.3M 79.2% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$647.1M end of 2024
Savings
33.1 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
754 employees, 250 volunteers
Form 990 (2024), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · 2024

Of each dollar it spent, 79.2¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
79.2¢
Programs, $185.5M
2.1¢
Fundraising, $5.0M
18.7¢
Admin, $43.7M
Form 990 (2024), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
1¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, The Aspen Institute spent 1¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $381.3M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 9.9% of program spending $18.4M

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…

Program 2 · 6.2% of program spending $11.5M

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.

Program 3 · 2.8% of program spending · $172K in grants $5.2M

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.

Program 4 · 11.7% of program spending · $3.0M in grants $21.6M

Other restricted programs, aspen global leadership network and innovation funds, and seminars

Form 990 (2024), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $206.5M to $647.1M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2024.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
207
215
259
273
289
279
308
352
412
372
408
647
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (2024)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in 2024, from the charity and related organizations.

Daniel R Porterfield
President & CEO
$802,875
Elliot Gerson
Executive Vice President
$498,051
Andrew Axelrod
EVP Finance & Ebd, Treasurer
$463,970
David Langstaff EVP
Until 11/24, Sen. Adv. to Pres/CEO
$460,588
Suzanne Berger
Vp, Executive Director
$414,422
Vivian Schiller
Vp, Executive Director
$391,180
James Spiegelman
Executive Director
$378,027
Anne Mosle
Executive Director
$375,269
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Cloud for Good Holdings IncIt services$1,728,101
Inmobiliaria Hotelera El Presidente SanConference services$1,602,396
Ithaka HarborsAspen leadership program evaluation$1,444,394
Mountain View Staging ServicesAudio visual services$1,285,981
SalesforceIt services$1,144,758
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the The Aspen Institute.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the The Aspen Institute CEO make?

Daniel R Porterfield, President & CEO, received $802,875 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0.3% of The Aspen Institute's $234.3M in spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part VII

What percentage of The Aspen Institute donations go to programs?

The Aspen Institute reported 79.2% of 2024 spending as programs, 2.1% as fundraising and 18.7% as management.

Form 990 (2024), Part IX

How much money does The Aspen Institute have?

Net assets were $647.1M at the end of 2024, about 33.1 months of spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part X

Does The Aspen Institute have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (2024)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. The Aspen Institute Form 990, 2024 (IRS e-file)
  2. The Aspen Institute Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “The Aspen Institute: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/the-aspen-institute/