The Urban Institute
The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC. It uses research and evidence to equip changemakers and support policies and practices intended to improve lives and strengthen communities.
Key facts about The Urban Institute
In short: The Urban Institute gave $10.0M across 111 grants in 2024 (avg $90K), top state California. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 52-0880375
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,020,357
- Grants made (2024)
- 111
- Average grant
- $90,273
- Median grant
- $49,985
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (44 of 105, 2024)
- Total assets
- $311,581,937
- Primary geography
- California (17% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · 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
Is The Urban Institute open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 44 of 105 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $100K; repeat grants $92K. How we count
Medians: $74K first-time, $42K 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Urban’s mission is “to drive impact by equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions.” Its stated impact objectives are to increase upward mobility; create communities of opportunity and shared prosperity; build a fair and just society; improve people’s well-being; and promote effective use of resources.
The organization’s stated research and program work includes family and individual well-being, economic security, income and benefits policy, work and workforce development, and social and economic policy. Its Research to Action Lab tests strategies and develops tools, programs, and trainings, and provides advice to public, nonprofit, and private-sector leaders.
Examples of 2024 grant recipients include organizations working in different fields. Per Scholas describes its work as advancing economic mobility through training and employer connections; Jobs With Justice Education Fund describes its work as organizing and educating to advance economic justice in the District of Columbia; and Seeding Success describes a “cradle to career” education agenda in Shelby County. These are the recipients’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Urban reported 111 grants totaling $10,020,357. Grant amounts ranged from $6,285 to $491,727, with a median of $49,985. The listed largest awards were identified as “Grant Sub-Award.”
Among the larger 2024 recipients were WorkHands Inc. ($491,727), Per Scholas Inc. ($487,020), Jobs With Justice Education Fund ($381,640), MDRC ($304,424), and the American Institutes for Research ($272,775). Other listed recipients included the County of Charleston ($278,316), President and Fellows of Harvard College ($253,401), Seeding Success ($249,700), and Pursuit Transformation Company Inc. ($239,561).
Urban’s Catalyst Grant Program supported local nonprofit activities using data and technology to advance racial equity and reform in the front end of the adult criminal legal system, including prevention, policing, and prosecution. Its stated award package included $40,000 for project costs, Urban assistance on data, policy, and community engagement, access to Microsoft technology and related support, and peer learning opportunities. The program page states that the program is concluding in 2025 and will not issue future requests for proposals. The archived program materials described eligibility for locally embedded US 501(c)(3) organizations, excluding colleges and universities, and excluded projects focused on people under 18, people currently incarcerated, people returning from incarceration, or activities at the state or national level.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Urban Institute
Ready to take the next step with The Urban Institute?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Urban says it primarily conducts its grantmaking and programmatic activities within the United States. Its work includes supporting decisionmakers and communities in localities throughout the country. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were California (17%), an individual recipient (15%), the District of Columbia (9%), Kentucky (6%), and Virginia (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 111 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2020) to $10.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 111 grants totaling $10.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was WorkHands Inc ($492K). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($529,125), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
514 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 281 grants of 514 (55%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WorkHands Inc San Francisco, CA | Grant Sub-Award | $491,727 |
| Per Scholas Inc Bronx, NY | Grant Sub-Award | $487,020 |
| County of Minnehaha South Dakota Sioux Falls, ND | Grant Sub-Award | $400,000 |
| Jobs With Justice Education Fund Washington DC, DC | Grant Sub-Award | $381,640 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $381,625 |
| MDRC New York, NY | Grant Sub-Award | $304,424 |
| County of Charleston North Charleston, SC | Grant Sub-Award | $278,316 |
| American Institutes for Research Arlington, VA | Grant Sub-Award | $272,775 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College Boston, MA | Grant Sub-Award | $253,401 |
| Seeding Success Memphis, TN | Grant Sub-Award | $249,700 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $311,581,937 | $129,592,450 | $148,463,835 | $10,020,357 |
| 2023 | $342,149,166 | $124,658,351 | $137,744,133 | $9,735,011 |
| 2022 | $347,500,996 | $156,278,518 | $128,373,639 | $8,168,507 |
The organization’s filing type is Form 990 (a public charity). It states that it is funded primarily by foundations, corporate philanthropies, and public agencies through grants and contracts, with additional support from nonprofits, universities, and individuals. A portion of endowment earnings also supports its annual budget.
| 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 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,928,338 | $6,958,997 | $17,389,060 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sarah Rosen Wartell as president and chief executive officer. It also lists Annette L. Nazareth as chair, effective November 2024, and Diana Farrell as vice chair, effective November 2024. Other listed trustees include Alexandra Reeve Givens, Anthony A. Williams, Antonia Hernandez, Arthur I. Segel, Ashley Swearengin, David A. Thomas, and Eduardo J. Padron.
The Urban Institute is led by Sarah Rosen Wartell, President & Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 42 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sarah Rosen Wartell
President & Chief Executive Officer
President → President & Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$662K (2020) → $971K (2024)
Todd Greene
Vice President, Executive Director & Workrise
Institute Fellow & Executive Director → Vice President, Executive Director & Workrise, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$323K (2021) → $397K (2024)
Annette L. Nazareth
Chair & Vice Chair
Vice Chair → Chair & Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie S. Gorelick
Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Rogers
Chief of Staff, Senior Director of Strategy & Corporate Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$208K (2024)
Antonia Hernandez
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arthur I. Segel
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Swearengin
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David A. Thomas
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diana Farrell
Vice Chair & Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eduardo J. Padron
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Adam Abram
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Carney
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Wallis Rowe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karan Bhatia
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Bacon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marta Tienda
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary J. Miller
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael A. Nutter
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shaun Donovan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Brown-Philpot
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
W. Matthew Kelly
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William E. Haslam
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather Higginbottom
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Reeve Givens
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Goodman
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
M. Lee Pelton
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Anadu
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary C. Daly
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patti B. Saris
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Raphael W. Bostic
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosie Allen-Herring
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roy L. Austin
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Marcus
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Genevieve Kenney
Institute Fellow & Research
Vice President & Health Policy → Institute Fellow & Research, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$313K (2020) → $350K (2024)
Robert Buchanan
Vice President, Controller & Treasurer
Vice President, Controller & Assistant Treasurer → Vice President, Controller & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$228K (2020) → $293K (2024)
Adrea Turner
Chief of Staff & Corporate Secretary
Chief of Staff → Chief of Staff & Corporate Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$111K (2022) → $55K (2024)
Mary Cunningham
Senior Vice President for Research & Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$408K (2024)
Myra Jones-Taylor
Senior Vice President, Impact & External Affairs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$377K (2024)
Yasmin Kazzaz
Chief Operations Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$378K (2024)
Anthony A. Williams
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
N. Gregory Mankiw
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (27)
- Former: Charles H. Ramsey (2020–2023)
- Former: Margaret A. Hamburg (2020–2023)
- Former: Stephen Zuckerman (2020–2023) — Vice President & Health Policy
- Former: Kimberlyn Leary (2021–2023) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Neel Kashkari (2021–2023)
- Former: Eric Howell (2022–2023) — Senior Vice President of Finance, Operations & Business Strategy
- Former: Kate Baicker (2022–2023)
- Former: Shrita Hernandez (2023) — Chief Communications Officer
- Former: Liza Getsinger (2020–2022) — Chief of Staff & Director of Program Planning
- Former: Nani Coloretti (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President, Financial, Business Strategy & Treasurer
- Former: Signe-Mary McKernan (2022) — Vice President, Labor, Human Services & Population
- Former: Brian Kreiter (2020–2021)
- Former: Bridget Lowell (2020–2021) — Vice President, Communications, Outreach & Chief Communications Officer
- Former: Catherine P. Bessant (2020–2021)
- Former: David Autor (2020–2021)
- Former: Erskine Bowles (2020–2021)
- Former: Henry Cisneros (2020–2021)
- Former: Jron Terwilliger (2020–2021)
- Former: Khuloud Odeh (2020–2021) — Vice President, Technology, Data Science & Chief Information Officer
- Former: Margery Turner (2020–2021) — Institute Fellow
- Former: Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. (2020–2021)
- Former: Armando Codina (2020)
- Former: Donald A. Baer (2020)
- Former: John Holahan (2020) — Institute Fellow
- Former: Marne L. Levine (2020)
- Former: Monica Woods (2020) — Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer
- Former: Nancy La Vigne (2020) — Vice President & Justice Policy
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 $971K, to Sarah Rosen Wartell (President and Chief Executive Officer). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 500 Lenfant Plaza Sw, Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 833-7200
Website: https://urban.org
Frequently asked questions about The Urban Institute
How much does The Urban Institute give each year?
The Urban Institute gave $10.0M across 111 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $9.7M across 130 grants.
What is The Urban Institute's typical grant size?
The Urban Institute's median grant in 2024 was $49,985, and its average grant was $90,273, across 111 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Urban Institute that year got $100K on average.
Where does The Urban Institute give grants?
The Urban Institute's top state is California, with 17% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (15%) and District of Columbia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (8 grants), San Francisco, CA (5 grants), New York, NY (5 grants) and Chicago, IL (5 grants).
Does The Urban Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 111 grants with a stated purpose on The Urban Institute's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grant Sub-Award" (111 grants).
Who are The Urban Institute's largest grantees?
The Urban Institute's largest 2024 grantees include WorkHands Inc ($491,727), Per Scholas Inc ($487,020) and County of Minnehaha South Dakota ($400,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($529,125), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Urban Institute?
The Urban Institute reported $311.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $129.6M.
What does The Urban Institute fund?
Urban’s mission is “to drive impact by equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Urban Institute?
The Urban Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check urban.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Urban Institute's EIN?
The Urban Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-0880375. 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.
Here's the math on researching The Urban Institute by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Urban Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
1,462
Total Given
$93.1M
Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Gates Foundation funds work to reduce disease and poverty, improve health and gender equality in lower-income countries, and support education and economic mobility in the United States, especially Washington State; it works in more than 140 countries. Its 2024 grants had a median of $500,000, with awards ranging from $1 to $350.5 million. It generally does not accept unsolicited proposals, but periodically offers opportunities through published requests for proposals.
Assets
$78.7B
Grants
4,974
Total Given
$6.3B
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
NCRC Community Development Fund Inc
Washington, DC
NCRC Community Development Fund supports affordable housing and homeownership, small businesses—especially minority-owned, women-owned, and low-income businesses—and certain nonprofit programs that provide capital or services to underserved communities. Its listed awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, though typical giving is not stated; it serves communities across the U.S., with some programs focused on Illinois. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$55.6M
Grants
2,666
Total Given
$149.3M
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC
The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits working across areas such as economic opportunity, education, health, arts, and human services, with an emphasis on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it generally funds organizations serving DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and specified Northern Virginia communities; it offers scheduled open competitive grant rounds as well as invite-only opportunities.
Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington, DC
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation makes competitive grants for science-based projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $106,500, and it supports projects across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Applications are competitive and program-specific; whether pre-proposals are required varies by program.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
1,286
Total Given
$464.4M
AARP
Washington, DC
AARP funds nonprofits and other organizations working on aging-related issues, including caregiving, health, research, education, and community programs. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $15,000, with amounts ranging widely, and it supports work through offices across the states and territories; whether AARP accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$13.1B
Grants
688
Total Given
$35.8M
Frontstream Global Fund
Washington, DC
FrontStream Global Fund distributes donations raised through workplace giving, corporate philanthropy, and other fundraising activities to donor-designated IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) charities across the United States. Its 2025 grants had a median of $13,714 and ranged from $5,003 to $358,589. It distributes funds according to donor recommendations; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the information provided.
Assets
$421K
Grants
556
Total Given
$13.4M
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Washington, DC
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supported public radio and television stations, programming, infrastructure, and related services across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median of $22,300, though awards ranged widely; CPB’s 2025 filing was marked as its final return, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
555
Total Given
$175.8M
More Funders in District of Columbia
The Urban Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?