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The 990 read · EIN 52-0880375 · DC · Fiscal year 2024

The Urban Institute

The Urban Institute: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that applies a range of approaches to examine today's challenges and identify policy solutions that work for people, including research and data analysis, convening, data tools and modeling, strategic advising, program evaluation, and community engagement.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$971K Sarah Rosen Wartell, 0.7% of spending
Revenue
$129.6M 90% from donations and grants
Spent
$148.5M 79.3% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$235.5M end of 2024
Savings
19.0 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
748 employees, 59 volunteers
Form 990 (2024), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · 2024

Of each dollar it spent, 79.3¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
79.3¢
Programs, $117.8M
3.9¢
Fundraising, $5.8M
16.8¢
Admin, $24.9M
Form 990 (2024), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
5¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, The Urban Institute spent 5¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $116.6M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 15.6% of program spending · $1.6M in grants $18.4M

Social sciences - research and public policy analysis: at the center on labor, human services, and population, we study how family, youth, and individual well-being is shaped by economic, social, and demographic trends, and how policies and programs can improve economic security, work, and child welfare and development. Understanding how families are faring in the face of economic pressures, demographic change, and public health and social challenges is essential for policymakers and practitioners who oversee social services and programs. Our research explores the implications of these…

Program 2 · 12.7% of program spending · $398K in grants $14.9M

Social sciences - research and public policy analysis: the income and benefits policy center gives decisionmakers crucial information by predicting how policy changes will affect people, programs, and government. We analyze family economic well-being from childhood through retirement and undertake research on a wide variety of issues, including income support, social insurance, taxes, and child support; education and training programs and policies; employers, workplaces, and the labor market; and workforce development systems and policies. As technological and demographic shifts transform the…

Program 3 · 54.7% of program spending · $5.4M in grants $64.4M

Urban conducted additional programmatic activities including research and data analysis, convenings, data tools and modeling, strategic advising, program evaluation, and community engagement, that focused on economic and social policy issues that affect the well-being of people and communities.

Form 990 (2024), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $133.8M to $235.5M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2024.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
134
140
142
151
158
147
191
213
261
246
246
236
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (2024)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in 2024, from the charity and related organizations.

Sarah Rosen Wartell
President and Chief Executive Officer
$971,063
Mary Cunningham
Senior Vice President for Research and Programs
$407,826
Todd Greene
Vice President and Executive Director, Workrise
$397,461
Yasmin Kazzaz
Chief Operations Officer
$377,915
Myra Jones-Taylor
Senior Vice President, Impact and External Affairs
$376,572
Genevieve Kenney
Institute Fellow, Research
$349,939
Robert Buchanan
Vice President, Controller & Treasurer
$292,576
Matt Rogers
Chief of Staff, Sr. Director of Strategy & Corporate Secretary (effective 03/2024)
$207,528
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Mathematica IncSubcontract/consulting$1,853,741
Grant Thornton LlpSubcontract/consulting$1,079,049
Dalberg AdvisorsSubcontract/consulting$1,008,032
Aus IncSubcontract/consulting$972,605
Research Triangle InstituteSubcontract/consulting$874,612
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the The Urban Institute.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the The Urban Institute CEO make?

Sarah Rosen Wartell, President and Chief Executive Officer, received $971,063 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0.7% of The Urban Institute's $148.5M in spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part VII

What percentage of The Urban Institute donations go to programs?

The Urban Institute reported 79.3% of 2024 spending as programs, 3.9% as fundraising and 16.8% as management.

Form 990 (2024), Part IX

How much money does The Urban Institute have?

Net assets were $235.5M at the end of 2024, about 19.0 months of spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part X

Does The Urban Institute have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (2024)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. The Urban Institute Form 990, 2024 (IRS e-file)
  2. The Urban Institute Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “The Urban Institute: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/the-urban-institute/