Transparency
In the more than six decades since its founding, the Aspen Institute has grown and evolved in many directions, but it has always held fast to its reputation as the place where policymakers, writers, artists, executives and members of the public can come together to explore the values underpinning society. That reputation, though, is incomplete. From the beginning, the Institute has been driven by a desire to both convene and have real-world impact.
This desire stems from founder Walter Paepcke’s focus on the “good society”—a concept that still lies at the heart of the Institute. The “good society” is not some final destination. Instead, it is an ideal, an aspiration—a continual striving for improvement, individually and collectively, driven by both the ideas we explore and the actions we take.
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Leadership and Board of Trustees
The Aspen Institute is led by a president and CEO and five executive vice presidents.
The Board of Trustees is made up of high-level individuals from the public and private sectors who have been elected by a majority of the membership of the board. The board is responsible for providing counsel to the President, as well as governance over the business, affairs, and property of the Aspen Institute. The board meets three times per year and its twelve standing committees meet regularly to discuss, in depth, the key issues facing the organization.
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Independence and Transparency at the Aspen Institute
- The Aspen Institute is transparent about its finances, including its sources of funding. We disclose all donations and identify corporate, foundation and government donors and sponsors in our annual reports, on our website, and upon request.
- The Aspen Institute retains editorial control of all of our publications and events. We have the final say over what gets published, what topics are covered, and who speaks at any of our convenings.
- The Aspen Institute is a values-based, nonpartisan organization, which operates independently of the positions and views of our funders. We do not engage in electoral politics or any activity that would require registration under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, and do not engage staff or contractors as “lobbyists” as defined by the Act.
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Funding, Tax Documents and Audited Financial Statements
The Aspen Institute is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, income from certain activities not directly related to the Institute’s tax-exempt purpose is subject to taxation as unrelated business income. Each year, the Aspen Institute files Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service.
The accounting firm of Raffa PC conducted an independent audit of the organization’s financial statements. Raffa also audited the Aspen Institute’s compliance with the requirements of laws, regulations, contracts, and grants applicable to federal programs.
DOWNLOAD 2023 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
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Download 2016 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor’s Report
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Download 2014 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor’s Report
Download 2013 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor’s Report
The Aspen Institute creates impact thanks to the generous contributions of our donors.
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