The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Founded in 1968, it operates as a nonpartisan policy research and educational organization that examines the social, economic, and governance challenges facing the nation. The organization employs 748 staff members and serves as a research-to-impact institution providing evidence and solutions to advance upward mobility and equity.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$311.6M
-8.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.0M
+2.9% YoY
Grant Count
111
-14.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$90K
+20.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Urban Institute is founded on one simple idea: to improve lives and strengthen communities, we need practices and policies that work. By equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions, together we can create a future where every person and community has the opportunity and power to thrive.
Key Impact Objectives:
- Increase upward mobility
- Create communities of opportunity and shared prosperity
- Build a fair and just society
- Improve people's well-being
- Promote effective use of resources
Research Areas: The organization's work spans a wide array of issues including family and financial well-being, health policy, housing, education, workforce development, and criminal justice. Notable initiatives include the Research to Action Lab, Income and Benefits Policy Center, Tax Policy Center, WorkRise, Housing Matters, Prison and Jail Research Hub, and the National Center for Charitable Statistics.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization operates nationally throughout the United States, with a focus on localities across the country. The Urban Institute also operates in 9 countries internationally, including Rwanda, India, Iran, Ghana, and Serbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Revenue: $129.6 million
- Total Expenses: $148.5 million
- Total Assets: $311.6 million
- Total Liabilities: $76.1 million
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Public Charity, tax-exempt since April 1968 (EIN: 52-0880375)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $311,581,937 | $342,149,166 | $347,500,996 |
| Revenue | $129,592,450 | $124,658,351 | $156,278,518 |
| Expenses | $148,463,835 | $137,744,133 | $128,373,639 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $8,928,338 | $6,958,997 | $17,389,060 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Urban Institute
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Sarah Rosen Wartell
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH ROSEN WARTELL | PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $971,063 |
| ALEXANDRA REEVE GIVENS | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE 05/2024) | 2 | — |
| ANNETTE L NAZARETH | CHAIR (EFFECTIVE 11/2024), VICE CHAIR (THROUGH 11/2024) | 2 | — |
| ANTHONY A WILLIAMS | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ANTONIA HERNANDEZ | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ARTHUR I SEGEL | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ASHLEY SWEARENGIN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DAVID A THOMAS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DIANA FARRELL | VICE CHAIR (EFFECTIVE 11/2024), TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| EDUARDO J PADRON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| HEATHER HIGGINBOTTOM | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| J ADAM ABRAM | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JAMIE S GORELICK | CHAIR (THROUGH 11/2024) | 2 | — |
| JAY CARNEY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JOHN GOODMAN | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE 05/2024) | 2 | — |
| JOHN WALLIS ROWE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| KARAN BHATIA | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| KENNETH BACON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| M LEE PELTON | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE 11/2024) | 2 | — |
| MARGARET ANADU | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE 11/2024) | 2 | — |
| MARTA TIENDA | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MARY C DALY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MARY J MILLER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL A NUTTER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| N GREGORY MANKIW | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| PATTI B SARIS | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE 05/2024) | 2 | — |
| RAPHAEL W BOSTIC | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE 11/2024) | 2 | — |
| ROSIE ALLEN-HERRING | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ROY L AUSTIN | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE 05/2024) | 2 | — |
| RUTH MARCUS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SHAUN DONOVAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| STACY BROWN-PHILPOT | TRUSTEE (THROUGH 11/2024) | 2 | — |
| W MATTHEW KELLY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| WILLIAM E HASLAM | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ADREA TURNER | CHIEF OF STAFF & CORPORATE SECRETARY (THROUGH 03/2024) | 40 | $54,685 |
| MATT ROGERS | CHIEF OF STAFF, SR. DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY & CORPORATE SECRETARY (EFFECTIVE 03/2024) | 40 | $207,528 |
| ROBERT BUCHANAN | VICE PRESIDENT, CONTROLLER & TREASURER | 40 | $292,576 |
| GENEVIEVE KENNEY | INSTITUTE FELLOW, RESEARCH | 40 | $349,939 |
| MARY CUNNINGHAM | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS | 40 | $407,826 |
| MYRA JONES-TAYLOR | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, IMPACT AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | 40 | $376,572 |
| TODD GREENE | VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WORKRISE | 40 | $397,461 |
| YASMIN KAZZAZ | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $377,915 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Urban Institute has received recent grant funding for specific research initiatives:
Urban Institute to Assess Impact of Medicaid on Access to Opioid Use Disorder**Medicaid and Opioid Use Disorder Medications:** The organization received a grant to assess the impact of Medicaid on access to opioid use disorder medications.
Urban Institute to Assess Impact of Medicaid on Access to Opioid Use Disorder**Vaccine Coverage Expansion:** The Urban Institute received a CDC grant to expand vaccine coverage through community-based organizations.
Urban Institute to Assess Impact of Medicaid on Access to Opioid Use DisorderSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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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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