Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES.

Totals

Total revenue
$31,057,023
Total expenses
$18,205,179
Contributions and grants received
$29,655,924
Grants paid
$3,538,090
Program service revenue
$104,538
Investment income
$1,019,525
Other revenue
$277,036
Total assets, end of year
$35,458,810
Total liabilities, end of year
$6,280,876
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$29,177,934
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$14,413,223
Management and general expenses
$1,951,946
Fundraising expenses
$1,840,010
Program service expenses (Part III)
$14,413,223

Program services were 79.2% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $29,655,924

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $35,082

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Educational programs

    total $104,538 · related or exempt $104,538

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,022,455 · excluded $1,022,455

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $264,655

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $264,655

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $264,655 · excluded $264,655

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $205,068 · other assets $4,050

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $207,704 · other assets $4,344

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$2,636 · other assets -$294

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$2,930 · excluded -$2,930

  • 11a · Other revenue: Credit card rewards

    total $11,191 · excluded $11,191

  • 11b · Other revenue: Other income

    total $1,190 · excluded $1,190

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $12,381

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $1,252,527 · program services $1,252,527

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $1,706,912 · program services $1,706,912

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $578,651 · program services $578,651

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,228,651 · program services $540,606 · management and general $503,747 · fundraising $184,298

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,592,243 · program services $5,298,390 · management and general $676,862 · fundraising $616,991

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $636,176 · program services $515,441 · management and general $60,776 · fundraising $59,959

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $542,608 · program services $415,902 · management and general $72,045 · fundraising $54,661

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $75,468 · program services $48,250 · management and general $6,802 · fundraising $20,416

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $19,959 · management and general $19,959

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $7,754 · management and general $7,754

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $917,098 · program services $802,244 · management and general $53,039 · fundraising $61,815

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $220,635 · program services $85,200 · management and general $729 · fundraising $134,706

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $622,903 · program services $135,146 · management and general $35,629 · fundraising $452,128

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $791,445 · program services $569,578 · management and general $163,033 · fundraising $58,834

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,268,571 · program services $1,001,490 · management and general $141,188 · fundraising $125,893

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,027,610 · program services $975,931 · management and general $37,035 · fundraising $14,644

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $302,383 · program services $294,009 · management and general $6,154 · fundraising $2,220

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $235,724 · program services $186,096 · management and general $26,235 · fundraising $23,393

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $39,993 · management and general $39,993

  • 24a · Other expenses: Bad debt expense

    total $100,000 · management and general $100,000

  • 24b · Other expenses: List rental

    total $29,191 · fundraising $29,191

  • 24c · Other expenses: Property taxes

    total $8,677 · program services $6,850 · management and general $966 · fundraising $861

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $4,533,073 · end of year $3,057,523

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $9,994,313 · end of year $24,263,997

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $714,553 · end of year $533,009

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $60,337 · end of year $132,960

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $905,172 · end of year $1,039,433

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $1,618,634

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $1,199,016

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $526,668 · end of year $419,618

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $1,254,941 · end of year $1,210,019

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $7,525,722 · end of year $4,802,251

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $733,515 · end of year $838,337

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $39,813

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $8,357,006 · end of year $5,402,726

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $15,032,156 · end of year $27,633,921

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,392,102 · end of year $1,544,013

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

The Institute discovers, develops, and supports students, scholars, and other intellectuals who maintain the highest standard of academic excellence and who share an interest in the principles of the classical liberal tradition.

  • Invests in Classical Liberal Intellectual Talent at ScaleIHS activates classical liberal intellectual talent at scale, tackling the critical shortage of a reliable talent pipeline. Through sourcing essential PhD, MA, and undergraduate talent and by building partnerships with various institutions, IHS equips this talent to advance classical liberal ideas and solutions across multiple sectors.

    Expenses $6,362,350 · Grants $2,428,439 · Revenue $96,538

  • Strengthening Research Fields That Matter MostIHS focuses on cultivating both foundational and applied classical liberal research that is critical for informing solutions in policy, courts, and civil society. The program builds intellectual capacity and collaborates with a network of scholars to enhance scholarship in vital issue areas. By addressing research gaps and promoting collaboration among scholars, IHS strives to provide its partners with the essential arguments and expertise needed to effectively promote the principles of a free society.

    Expenses $4,299,067 · Grants $1,037,553

  • Accelerating Classical Liberal Ideas to MarketIHS is dedicated to accelerating the spread and practical application of Classical Liberal ideas by connecting scholars with opportunities beyond academia. The organization works to remove barriers that limit research productivity, develops technological tools to enhance policy influence, and offers analyses that help partners leverage scholarly expertise. Additionally, IHS bridges the gap between academic research and civil society, fostering collaborations that translate classical liberal ideas into practical solutions.

    Expenses $2,003,887 · Grants $72,098 · Revenue $8,000

  • Public AffairsThe Public Affairs program seeks to inform alumni, faculty, and supporters about the efforts of the Institute and support the development of a network of faculty, supporters, and nonprofit allies who share an interest in classical liberal ideas.

    Expenses $1,747,919

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Ryan Stowers

    Chairman

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • David Humphreys

    Chairman until Oct '23

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tyler Cowen

    Vice Chairman

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • James Arthur Pope

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Chris Rufer

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Christopher Coyne

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Todd Zywicki

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brian Hooks

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Virgil Storr

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Emily Chamlee-Wright

    President and CEO

    Total calculated
    $535,945
    From this org
    $502,992
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,953
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $342,750
    Bonus
    $160,000
    Other
    $242
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,953
    Filer's total
    $535,945

  • Gary Leff

    Secretary and Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $107,995
    From this org
    $97,500
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,495
    Hours/week
    10

  • Courtney Derr

    Chief Operating Officer

    Total calculated
    $342,372
    From this org
    $310,167
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,205
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $235,167
    Bonus
    $75,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,205
    Filer's total
    $342,372

  • Sarah Straw

    Chief of Programs and Operations

    Total calculated
    $222,869
    From this org
    $196,916
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,953
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $156,916
    Bonus
    $40,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,953
    Filer's total
    $222,869

  • Shane Courtland

    Managing Director Academic Relations

    Total calculated
    $188,512
    From this org
    $159,184
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,328
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $129,184
    Bonus
    $30,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,328
    Filer's total
    $188,512

  • Mike Hopper

    Senior Director of Marketing

    Total calculated
    $167,253
    From this org
    $157,724
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,529
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $149,908
    Bonus
    $7,500
    Other
    $316
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,529
    Filer's total
    $167,253

  • Caroline Phelps

    Managing Director of Programs

    Total calculated
    $158,554
    From this org
    $142,710
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,844
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $132,710
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,844
    Filer's total
    $158,554

  • Adam Wolter

    Senior Application Dev. Engineer

    Total calculated
    $153,687
    From this org
    $141,278
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,409
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $131,278
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,409
    Filer's total
    $153,687

  • Matthew Needham

    Director of CRM Architecture

    Total calculated
    $153,785
    From this org
    $140,597
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,188
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $134,999
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    $598
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,188
    Filer's total
    $153,785

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
14 March 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202530769349301503

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.