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…
The Urban Institute
The Urban Institute: CEO salary, finances and where donations go
“The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that applies a range of approaches to examine today's challenges and identify policy solutions that work for people, including research and data analysis, convening, data tools and modeling, strategic advising, program evaluation, and community engagement.”
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
- $971K Sarah Rosen Wartell, 0.7% of spending
- Revenue
- $129.6M 90% from donations and grants
- Spent
- $148.5M 79.3% on programs, as reported
- Net assets
- $235.5M end of 2024
- Savings
- 19.0 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
- People
- 748 employees, 59 volunteers
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.
Of each dollar it spent, 79.3¢ went to programs, as reported.
For each dollar donated, The Urban Institute spent 5¢ on fundraising.
Fundraising ÷ $116.6M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IXWhat it told the IRS it spent on.
The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.
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…
Urban conducted additional programmatic activities including research and data analysis, convenings, data tools and modeling, strategic advising, program evaluation, and community engagement, that focused on economic and social policy issues that affect the well-being of people and communities.
Net assets: $133.8M to $235.5M in 11 years.
Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2024.
The 8 highest-paid people.
Reportable pay in 2024, from the charity and related organizations.
| Contractor | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematica Inc | Subcontract/consulting | $1,853,741 |
| Grant Thornton Llp | Subcontract/consulting | $1,079,049 |
| Dalberg Advisors | Subcontract/consulting | $1,008,032 |
| Aus Inc | Subcontract/consulting | $972,605 |
| Research Triangle Institute | Subcontract/consulting | $874,612 |
The questions people ask about the The Urban Institute.
Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.
How much does the The Urban Institute CEO make?
Sarah Rosen Wartell, President and Chief Executive Officer, received $971,063 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0.7% of The Urban Institute's $148.5M in spending.
Form 990 (2024), Part VIIWhat percentage of The Urban Institute donations go to programs?
The Urban Institute reported 79.3% of 2024 spending as programs, 3.9% as fundraising and 16.8% as management.
Form 990 (2024), Part IXHow much money does The Urban Institute have?
Net assets were $235.5M at the end of 2024, about 19.0 months of spending.
Form 990 (2024), Part XDoes The Urban 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)Every number, traced.
- The Urban Institute Form 990, 2024 (IRS e-file)
- The Urban Institute Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Amir Arani, “The Urban Institute: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/the-urban-institute/