The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address urgent challenges in the United States and internationally. Founded in 1946, AIR is one of the world's largest social science research organizations, with approximately 1,875 employees operating across multiple locations in the U.S. and abroad, including operations in 23 countries.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1B
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.2M
-11.8% YoY
Grant Count
34
+21.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$124K
-27.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: AIR's mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world. The organization generates evidence and applies data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education and educational equity
- Workforce development
- Healthcare service and delivery
- Community safety and well-being
- Nutrition, agriculture, and food security
- Human services
- International development
AIR's work spans behavioral and social science research with expertise across human services, health, and international sectors. The organization supports stakeholders ranging from policymakers to public service professionals and practitioners in shaping outcomes for young people, families, and communities.
Grantmaking
AIR generates revenue through contracted services and grants received from federal and state agencies and other nonprofit organizations. The organization also makes grants to other entities.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AIR funds and operates in the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Illinois, and internationally across 23 countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, Mexico, Honduras, and Pakistan.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total revenues: $437,187,471
- Total expenses: $403,775,054
- Total assets: $1,058,621,770
- Number of employees: 1,875
2023 Financial Data:
- Total revenues: $355,000,000
- Total expenses: $370,000,000
Historical Note: On December 31, 2019, AIR sold its student assessment division, with proceeds included in that year's financial reporting.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,058,621,770 | $1,012,152,879 | $972,933,017 |
| Revenue | $437,187,471 | $355,310,121 | $363,064,876 |
| Expenses | $403,775,054 | $369,579,128 | $345,354,204 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $65,956,279 | $10,097,815 | $31,689,696 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
122 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President and CEO: Jessica Heppen
- Board Chair: Lawrence Bobo
- Principal Officer: David Myers
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID MYERS | CEO (END 02/24)/ BD & CMTE MEMBER | 2 | $1,634,366 |
| JESSICA HEPPEN PRESIDENT | (ALL OF 2024) & CEO (AS OF 03/24) | 40 | $953,106 |
| LAWRENCE BOBO | BD & CMTE MEMBER, BD CHAIR | 6.5 | $125,000 |
| NANCY CANTOR BRECHIN | BD & CMTE MEMBER, CMTE CHAIR | 5 | $92,000 |
| KIMBERLY PATTILLO BROWNSON | BD & CMTE MEMBER, BD CMTE CHAIR | 5 | $92,000 |
| ALICIA KARAM HARKNESS | BD, CMTE MEMBER & BD CMTE CHAIR | 5 | $92,000 |
| KATHY MCKINLESS | BD & CMTE MBR, BD CMTE CHAIR | 5 | $92,000 |
| SOL PELAVIN BD CMTE MBR | BD & CMTE CHAIR, FMR PRES | 5 | $92,000 |
| ANDREW LIAKOPOULOS | BD & CMTE MEMBER, BD CMTE CHAIR | 5 | $90,000 |
| MANUEL PASTOR | BD & CMTE MEMBER | 2 | $83,000 |
| MICHAEL STOLL | BD & CMTE MEMBER | 2 | $76,250 |
| MAYRA E ALVAREZ | BD & CMTE MEMBER | 2 | $74,000 |
| EDWARD HAMBURG | BD & CMTE MBR, BD CMTE CHAIR | 5 | $70,000 |
| ROBERT F BORUCH | BD & CMTE MEMBER (END 12/24) | 2 | $67,250 |
| ROBERT ROSS | BD & CMTE MEMBER (AS OF 06/24) | 2 | $45,208 |
| MARIJO AHLGRIMM TREAS EXEC VP | & CFO (END 07/24), SEE SCH J | 40 | $914,364 |
| CATHERINE E LIVINGSTON | SEC., CHIEF LEGAL OFFC (AS OF 02/24) | 40 | $416,418 |
| PAMELA KEEFE | TREAS., SR VP & CFO (AS OF 04/24) | 40 | $450,835 |
| DONA KILPATRICK | SEC., GENERAL COUNSEL (END 07/24) | 40 | $385,144 |
| JULIE R KOCHANEK | SR VP, HUMAN SERVICES | 40 | $422,869 |
| TIMOTHY B HILL | SR VICE PRESIDENT, HEALTH DIVISON | 40 | $448,622 |
| DAVID S SEIDENFELD | SR VP, INTERNATIONAL DIVISION | 40 | $431,918 |
| LESLEY A SEPANLOO | SR VP, HUMAN RES & WORKPLACE MGMT | 40 | $403,160 |
| DONALD LINDSEY | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER | 40 | $371,076 |
| JOSEPH WAGNER | VP, CONTRACTS, GRANTS & PROCUREMENT | 40 | $337,577 |
| LAWRENCE B TRAPUZZANO | VP, PROGRAM FINANCE (END 12/24) | 40 | $521,993 |
| LAWRENCE B FRIEDMAN | VP, HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION | 40 | $437,528 |
| MICHAEL GARET | VP & INSTITUTE FELLOW | 40 | $441,126 |
| MAKINI NYANTEH | CCO AND SR VP - COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $430,798 |
| MAI HUBBARD | VP, HEALTH | 40 | $400,313 |
| DAVID BAKER | SR VP, HEALTH DIVISION (END 09/23) | 40 | $269,246 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
AIR has been awarded grants and contracts to support federal initiatives, including work to improve outcomes for Medicare and Medicaid recipients with mental health or substance use conditions. The organization was also awarded a grant to improve the use of multi-tiered systems of support for struggling students. AIR serves as a Comprehensive Center supporting educational opportunity and academic achievement initiatives.
American Institutes for Research to Support Federal EffortSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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