The American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a Washington, DC–based public charity that supports architecture-related research, professional development, and other programs connected with the architecture profession. Founded in 1857, AIA describes its mission as inspiring and empowering architects to improve society and transform the world.
The American Institute of Architects at a glance
In short: The American Institute of Architects gave $788K across 34 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in District of Columbia. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $787,777
- -31.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- +30.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,170
- -47.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $230,344,971
- +17.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (14 of 30, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (71% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The American Institute of Architects
- Review Cycle
- The Upjohn Research Initiative call is currently closed; submissions for 2026 are expected to open in the fall.
- Deadline
- The Upjohn Research Initiative call is currently closed; submissions for 2026 are expected to open in the fall.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1735 New York Ave Nw, Washington, DC 20006-5292
Phone: (800) 242-3837
Website: https://aia.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The American Institute of Architects funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was US Conference of Mayors ($150K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $611K.
Grant Size Distribution
189 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 160 grants of 189 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AIA is based in Washington, DC. In 2024, 71% of its grant dollars went to recipients in DC; other leading recipient states were Texas and California, at 5% each, followed by Florida and Illinois, at 3% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The American Institute of Architects open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 30 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $12K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $788K (2024) to $2.3M (2020). In 2024 it made 34 grants totaling $788K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| US Conference of Mayors Washington, DC | Program Support | $125,000 |
| AIA Foundation Washington, DC | Program Support | $125,000 |
| National Building Museum Washington, DC | Program Support | $100,000 |
| The Kennedy Center Washington, DC | Program Support | $65,000 |
| Aias Washington, DC | Program Support | $45,625 |
| Aiadc Washington, DC | Program Support | $27,000 |
| US Conference of Mayors Washington, DC | Program Support | $25,000 |
| University of Houston Houston, TX | Program Support | $25,000 |
| The Center for Health Design Inc Concord, CA | Program Support | $25,000 |
| AIA Chicago Chicago, IL | Program Support | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
AIA is listed as a public charity filing Form 990.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $230,344,971 | $70,085,469 | $68,575,808 | $787,777 | 34 | $13,922,014 |
| 2023 | $196,886,874 | $68,120,174 | $66,553,952 | $1,143,265 | 26 | $15,022,073 |
| 2022 | $191,096,318 | $35,540,970 | $63,811,685 | $2,010,647 | 38 | $-15,259,856 |
| 2021 | $228,151,100 | $44,067,877 | $53,766,320 | $1,360,595 | 36 | $2,006,486 |
| 2020 | $235,693,786 | $245,541,708 | $66,782,851 | $2,287,822 | 55 | $180,774,881 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AIA’s stated vision is to “drive positive change through the power of design and focused activism.” Its stated mission is to inspire and empower architects to improve society and transform the world.
AIA’s research programs include the Upjohn Research Initiative, which supports applied research to enhance the value of design and professional practice knowledge, and the Latrobe Prize, which supports a two-year research program selected by jury review. Other listed programs support historic-preservation research, healthcare-facility planning and design, and travel and study. AIA also provides continuing education, knowledge communities, member services, public information, and sustainability education and support.
AIA’s 2024 grants included program support for a range of organizations. For example, the Architects Foundation says it inspires and empowers the next generation of designers and the diverse communities they serve; the National Building Museum says it inspires curiosity about the world people design and build; and the Center for Health Design says it supports healthcare and design professionals through research, education, community building, and technical assistance. AIA also supported local architecture organizations, including AIA Chicago, whose stated purpose is to provide education and support to architects in its territory, and Casey Trees, which says it works to restore, enhance, and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, AIA reported 34 grants totaling $787,777. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $125,000, with a median of $10,000. The listed grants were for program support. The largest grants included $125,000 each to the US Conference of Mayors and the AIA Foundation, and $100,000 to the National Building Museum. Other notable awards included $65,000 to the Kennedy Center, $45,625 to AIAS, $25,000 each to the University of Houston and the Center for Health Design, and $20,000 to AIA Chicago.
AIA’s published research and fellowship programs have distinct purposes and award structures. The Upjohn Research Initiative funds up to six research projects annually, at $15,000–$30,000 per recipient, for projects completed within 18 months. The Latrobe Prize is a biennial $150,000 award for a two-year research program. The Richard Morris Hunt Prize is a six-month fellowship carrying a $20,000 award for registered architects pursuing research on emerging trends in historic preservation. The Tuttle Fellowship supports graduate students and young architects in training, with awards typically from $2,000 to $10,000. These program awards and fellowships are separate from AIA’s reported grants to organizations.
AIA states that grant recipients must provide interim and final reports. Required reporting includes financial data, a substantive narrative, a work sample, lessons learned, and a final account of project results and fund use.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on AIA’s 2024 filing include Kimberly Dowdell, president; Evelyn Lee, president-elect; Heather Philip-O’Neal, treasurer; and Britt Lindberg, secretary. Listed directors include Kevin Holland, Illya Azaroff, and Latoya Kamdang as at-large directors, and Laura Lesniewski, Korey White, and Anne Hicks Harney as Strategic Council at-large representatives.
The American Institute of Architects is led by Lakisha Ann Woods Cae, Executive Vice President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 10 of 23 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lakisha Ann Woods Cae
Executive Vice President & CEO
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$548K (2022) → $1.6M (2024)
Kimberly Dowdell
President
President-Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$50K (2023) → $85K (2024)
Illya Azaroff
At-Large Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Holland
At-Large Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amber Lombardo
Cace Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carole Wedge
Appointed Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colt Brock
Student Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Latoya Kamdang
At-Large Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Winston Yeo
Appointed Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Evelyn Lee
President-Elect
Treasurer → President-Elect, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$50K (2024)
Terri Stewart
Chief Finance & Administrator Officer
Senior Vice President, Knowledge & Prac → Senior Vice President, Knowledge & Practice, 2021
Senior Vice President, Knowledge & Practice → Chief Finance & Administrator Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$279K (2020) → $445K (2024)
Praveen Patel
Senior Vice President & Technology
Managing Director & Tech Service Solutions → Senior Vice President & Technology, 2022
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$218K (2021) → $309K (2024)
Kevin Watkins
Senior Vice President, Member & Comp. Engagement
Senior Vice President, Member & Comp. Eng. → Senior Vice President, Member & Component Eng., 2023
Senior Vice President, Member & Component Eng. → Senior Vice President, Member & Comp. Engagement, 2024
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$180K (2022) → $337K (2024)
Mary Schneider
Chief Strategy Officer
Strategic Advisor → Chief Strategy Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$165K (2022) → $364K (2024)
Andrew Flank
Senior Vice President, Sales, Events & Exhibits
On filings since 2023
37.5 hrs/week
$328K (2023) → $472K (2024)
Robert Clayborne
Senior Vice President, Knowledge & Practice
On filings since 2023
37.5 hrs/week
$311K (2023) → $324K (2024)
Kiersten Fox Thornton
Chief People Officer
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$374K (2024)
Britt Lindberg
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Korey White
Strategic Council At-Large
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Lesniewski
Strategic Council At-Large
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Hicks Harney
Strategic Council At-Large
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather Philip-O'Neal
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tannia Chavez
Associate Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (56)
- Former: Emily A. Grandstaff-Rice (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Sarah Dodge (2020–2023) — Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Relat.
- Former: Timothy C. Hawk (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Nathaniel Hudson (2021–2023) — Strategic Council At-Large
- Former: Renee Yancey (2021–2023) — Chief External & Edi Officer
- Former: Ryan Gann (2021–2023) — At-Large Director
- Former: Terrence Ona (2021–2023) — Senior Vice President & General Counsel
- Former: Rusty Bienvenue (2022–2023) — Cace Director
- Former: Cooper Moore (2023) — Student Director
- Former: Darral Tate (2023) — Associate Director
- Former: Etty Padmodipoetro (2023) — Appointed Director
- Former: Timothy Dufault (2023) — Appointed Director
- Former: Abigail Gorman (2020–2022) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Jeffrey Raymond (2020–2022) — Vice President & Product Strategy
- Former: Larry Robertson (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President, Hr, Belonging, Tech. Serv. & Sol
- Former: Lisa Green (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President, Finance & Administrator
- Former: Robert Ivy (2020–2022) — Executive Vice President & CEO
- Former: Pamela Day (2021–2022) — Corp. Secretary, Vice President, Governor & Awards
- Former: Britt Lindberg Aia (2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Daniel Stephen Hart Faia Pe (2022) — President
- Former: Emily Grandstaff-Rice Faia (2022) — First Vice President
- Former: Gail Kubik Assoc Aia (2022) — Associate Director
- Former: Kevin Holland Faia (2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Laura Lesniewski Faia (2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Mark Levine Faia (2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Mindy Fullilove MD (2022) — Director
- Former: Nathaniel Hudson Aia (2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Ryan J. Gann Assoc Aia (2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Scott Cornelius Assoc Aia (2022) — Student Director
- Former: Thomas Fisher Assoc Aia (2022) — Director
- Former: Timothy C. Hawk Faia (2022) — Treasurer
- Former: William R. Turner Jr Aia (2022) — Secretary
- Former: Daniel Stephen Hart (2020–2021) — First Vice President
- Former: Jessica A. Sheridan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mark Levine (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Peter J. Exley (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Susan McDaid (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President, Member & Component Services
- Former: Eric White (2021) — Director
- Former: Erin Conti (2021) — Student Director
- Former: Justin Chapman (2021) — Director
- Former: Shannon Gathings (2021) — Director
- Former: Shirley Franklin (2021) — Director
- Former: William Turner (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Becky Magdaleno (2020) — Director
- Former: Christopher Gribbs (2020) — Md, Conference Strategy & Operations
- Former: George B. Barney Forsythe (2020) — Director
- Former: Jason C. Winters (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Jay Stephens (2020) — Senior Vice President & General Counsel
- Former: Kathy Compton (2020) — Senior Vice President, Brand & Engagement
- Former: Linna Jane Frederick (2020) — President
- Former: Luke Diorio (2020) — Md, New Business & Product
- Former: Robert Middlebrooks (2020) — Senior Vice President & Contract Business
- Former: Sarah Curry (2020) — Student Director
- Former: Vivian Loftness (2020) — Director
- Former: Young Chang (2020) — Md & Contract Documents Tec
- Former: Yvette Santos Rivera (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $1.6M, to Lakisha Ann Woods CAE (EVP/CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The American Institute of Architects
How much does The American Institute of Architects give each year?
The American Institute of Architects gave $788K across 34 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 26 grants.
What is The American Institute of Architects's typical grant size?
The American Institute of Architects's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $23,170, across 34 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The American Institute of Architects that year got $16K on average.
Where does The American Institute of Architects give grants?
The American Institute of Architects gives mostly in District of Columbia: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (11 grants), Nashville, TN (2 grants) and Gainesville, FL (2 grants).
Does The American Institute of Architects give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on The American Institute of Architects's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (34 grants).
Who are The American Institute of Architects's largest grantees?
The American Institute of Architects's largest 2024 grantees include US Conference of Mayors ($150,000 across 2 grants), AIA Foundation ($125,000) and National Building Museum ($110,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The American Institute of Architects?
The American Institute of Architects reported $230.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $70.1M.
What does The American Institute of Architects fund?
AIA’s stated vision is to “drive positive change through the power of design and focused activism.” Its stated mission is to inspire and empower architects to improve society and transform the world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The American Institute of Architects?
The American Institute of Architects has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check aia.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The American Institute of Architects's EIN?
The American Institute of Architects's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 53-0025930. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The American Institute of Architects funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-american-institute-of-architects-morg_b8887fd01174477db9ccc2b44e99f427
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_530025930_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The American Institute of Architects funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-american-institute-of-architects-morg_b8887fd01174477db9ccc2b44e99f427},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The American Institute of Architects's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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