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Nonprofiteer
← COOPER UNION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND ART

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by COOPER UNION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND ART.

Totals

Total revenue
$144,833,369
Total expenses
$128,281,914
Contributions and grants received
$20,908,681
Grants paid
$32,835,608
Program service revenue
$47,881,058
Investment income
$72,582,659
Other revenue
$3,460,971
Total assets, end of year
$1,215,652,042
Total liabilities, end of year
$339,534,534
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$876,117,508
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$105,601,286
Management and general expenses
$19,539,238
Fundraising expenses
$3,141,390
Program service expenses (Part III)
$105,601,286

Program services were 82.3% 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.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,390,289

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $19,518,392

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $584,266

  • 2a · Program service revenue: TUITION & STUDENT FEES

    total $45,391,612 · related or exempt $45,391,612

  • 2b · Program service revenue: AUXILIARY INCOME

    total $2,489,446 · related or exempt $2,489,446

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $61,581,909 · unrelated business -$55,669 · excluded $61,637,578

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $1,311,490

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $1,311,490

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $1,311,490 · excluded $1,311,490

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $152,550,907

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

    securities $141,550,157

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $11,000,750

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $11,000,750 · excluded $11,000,750

  • 11a · Other revenue: OTHER REVENUE

    total $2,149,481 · excluded $2,149,481

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $2,149,481

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $29,886,606 · program services $29,886,606

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $2,949,002 · program services $2,949,002

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $3,960,651 · program services $1,473,284 · management and general $2,186,532 · fundraising $300,835

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $30,886,489 · program services $27,507,667 · management and general $2,333,056 · fundraising $1,045,766

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $2,380,487 · program services $2,065,235 · management and general $229,376 · fundraising $85,876

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $9,327,718 · program services $8,058,251 · management and general $842,979 · fundraising $426,488

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $2,467,238 · program services $2,100,481 · management and general $271,832 · fundraising $94,925

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $2,257,928 · management and general $2,257,928

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $261,912 · management and general $261,912

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $158,631 · management and general $158,631

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $432,500 · fundraising $432,500

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $2,125,507 · management and general $2,125,507

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,253,851 · program services $1,376,981 · management and general $793,571 · fundraising $83,299

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $190,956 · program services $179,476 · management and general $477 · fundraising $11,003

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,533,002 · program services $1,029,084 · management and general $359,998 · fundraising $143,920

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $1,137,746 · program services $758,701 · management and general $379,045

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $7,269,938 · program services $6,907,267 · management and general $289,149 · fundraising $73,522

  • 17 · Travel

    total $302,088 · program services $270,394 · management and general $26,787 · fundraising $4,907

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $708,679 · program services $454,563 · management and general $130,339 · fundraising $123,777

  • 20 · Interest

    total $11,050,907 · program services $10,257,538 · management and general $689,564 · fundraising $103,805

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $9,377,677 · program services $8,952,107 · management and general $258,576 · fundraising $166,994

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $887,786 · program services $153,832 · management and general $733,954

  • 24a · Other expenses: BAD DEBT EXPENSE

    total $4,496,294 · program services $0 · management and general $4,496,294 · fundraising $0

  • 24b · Other expenses: STUDENT SERVICES

    total $395,621 · program services $395,621

  • 24c · Other expenses: LIBRARY CONSORTIUM

    total $331,496 · program services $331,496

  • 24d · Other expenses: LIBRARY BOOKS/PERIOD.

    total $45,469 · program services $45,469

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $1,205,735 · program services $448,231 · management and general $713,731 · fundraising $43,773

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $20,900,528 · end of year $18,400,745

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $2,817,886 · end of year $14,325,866

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $8,930,032 · end of year $10,374,390

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $118,894 · end of year $701,104

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $6,705,207 · end of year $6,617,659

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

    $308,436,158

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

    $181,164,721

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $129,396,096 · end of year $127,271,437

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $133,211,876 · end of year $96,473,244

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $883,513,411 · end of year $937,197,625

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $4,669,150 · end of year $4,289,972

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $41,464,409 · end of year $42,906,103

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $104,155,219 · end of year $98,637,281

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $200,151,376 · end of year $193,163,975

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $5,386,253 · end of year $4,827,175

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year -$91,003,255 · end of year -$69,313,562

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $930,109,078 · end of year $945,431,070

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

SEE SCHEDULE OVISION: THE COOPER UNION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND ART IS DEDICATED TO PETER COOPER'S RADICAL COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND HIS FOUNDING VISION THAT FAIR ACCESS TO AN INSPIRING FREE EDUCATION AND FORUMS FOR COURAGEOUS PUBLIC DISCOURSE FOSTER A JUST AND THRIVING WORLD.MISSION: OUR MISSION IS TO SUSTAIN THE COOPER UNION AS A FREE CENTER OF LEARNING AND CIVIC DISCOURSE THAT INSPIRES INVENTIVE, CREATIVE, AND INFLUENTIAL VOICES IN ARCHITECTURE, ART, AND ENGINEERING TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF OUR TIME.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE COOPER UNION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND ART IS AN ALL-HONORS COLLEGE THAT OFFERS DEGREES IN ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND FINE ARTS.

  • INSTRUCTION: THE COOPER UNION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND ART IS AMONG THE UNITED STATES' OLDEST AND MOST DISTINGUISHED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. IT IS COMPRISED OF THREE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS: ARCHITECTURE, ART, AND ENGINEERING; AND A FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE COLLEGE ADMITS UNDERGRADUATES SOLELY ON MERIT AND HISTORICALLY AWARDED FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO ALL ENROLLED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. FOLLOWING A PROVISIONAL REDUCTION IN 2014 OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO 50% OF TUITION DUE TO FISCAL REASONS, THE COLLEGE IS NOW EXECUTING A BOARD-APPROVED PLAN TO RESUME ITS PRACTICE OF AWARDING FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO ALL ENROLLED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. THE INSTITUTION PROVIDES STUDENTS CLOSE CONTACT WITH A DISTINGUISHED, CREATIVE FACULTY AND FOSTERS RIGOROUS, HUMANISTIC LEARNING THAT IS ENHANCED BY THE PROCESS OF DESIGN AND AUGMENTED BY THE URBAN SETTING. ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR WAS 916 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 82 GRADUATE STUDENTS.

    Expenses $104,380,672 · Grants $32,625,295 · Revenue $45,391,612

  • RESIDENCE LIFE: THE COOPER UNION STUDENT RESIDENCE OFFERS APARTMENT-STYLE HOUSING TO 156 STUDENTS. THE FACILITY IS STAFFED BY PROFESSIONAL AND GRADUATE STUDENT STAFF AND EIGHT UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENT ASSISTANTS. THE RESIDENTIAL LIFE STAFF HOSTS SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS AIMED AT BUILDING A STRONG COMMUNITY, INCREASING APPRECIATION FOR DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND PERSPECTIVES, AND HELPING STUDENTS TRANSITION TO LIFE IN NEW YORK CITY AND AT THE COOPER UNION.

    Expenses $1,220,614 · Grants $210,313 · Revenue $2,489,446

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

Listed in Part VII

  • MALCOLM KING

    CHAIR - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • AFTAB HUSSAIN

    VICE CHAIR - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LOU MANZIONE

    VICE CHAIR - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANNA BROOK FROM 624

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TRE BROWN FROM 624

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANNE CHAO

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MAURICE D COX

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BRICKSON DIAMOND

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ELIAS DILLS

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOSEPH DOBRONYI JR

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • WANDA FELTON

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • PAMELA FLAHERTY

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JUDY FREYER

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ELIZABETH GRAZIOLO TILL 1223

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JADYN HAMMOND

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • J DANA HUGHES

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANTHONY IANNO

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TIM INGRASSIA

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JAMIE LEVITT

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARSHALL RAFAL

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JAMES ROLLING JR FROM 224

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • AVERY SINGER FROM 624

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BRIAN STEINWURTZEL

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • RON VOGEL

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEPHEN WELBY

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CAROL WOLF

    MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LAURA SPARKS

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $832,637
    From this org
    $626,817
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $205,820
    Hours/week
    33 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $626,067
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $750
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $175,320
    Filer's total
    $832,637

  • JOHN RUTH

    VP-FIN/ADMIN, TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $380,581
    From this org
    $314,015
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $66,566
    Hours/week
    33 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $310,847
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,168
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $36,066
    Filer's total
    $380,581

  • CHARLOTTE WESSELL

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $195,770
    From this org
    $140,773
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $54,997
    Hours/week
    33 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $140,575
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $198
    Deferred
    $14,470
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,527
    Filer's total
    $195,770

  • BARRY SHOOP

    DEAN/PROF. OF ENGINEERING

    Total calculated
    $436,861
    From this org
    $406,361
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,500
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $399,092
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $7,269
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $436,861

  • MARK CAMPBELL

    VP-ENROLLMENT

    Total calculated
    $393,305
    From this org
    $325,157
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $68,148
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $321,379
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,778
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,648
    Filer's total
    $393,305

  • NATALIE BROOKS

    CHIEF TALENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $352,571
    From this org
    $320,286
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,285
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $320,286
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,785
    Filer's total
    $352,571

  • MIKE ESSL TILL 124

    DEAN/PROF. OF ART

    Total calculated
    $357,385
    From this org
    $284,302
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $73,083
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $283,625
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $677
    Deferred
    $28,422
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,661
    Filer's total
    $357,385

  • TERRI COPPERSMITH

    VP-DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $286,141
    From this org
    $248,441
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,700
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $245,596
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,845
    Deferred
    $25,177
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,523
    Filer's total
    $286,141

  • DEMETRIUS EUDELL

    VP-ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

    Total calculated
    $244,325
    From this org
    $209,563
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,762
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $208,531
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,032
    Deferred
    $21,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,512
    Filer's total
    $244,325

  • ADRIANA FARMIGA FROM 124

    DEAN/PROF. OF ART

    Total calculated
    $211,418
    From this org
    $155,267
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $56,151
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $154,925
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $342
    Deferred
    $15,972
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,179
    Filer's total
    $211,418

  • ANTHONY VIDLER TILL 1023

    PROF. OF ARCHITECTURE

    Total calculated
    $262,706
    From this org
    $224,670
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,036
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $217,977
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $6,693
    Deferred
    $21,798
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,238
    Filer's total
    $262,706

  • NADER TEHRANI

    DEAN/PROF. OF ARCHITECTURE

    Total calculated
    $314,780
    From this org
    $250,900
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $63,880
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $250,900
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $24,720
    Nontaxable benefits
    $39,160
    Filer's total
    $314,780

  • ROBERT REINCKENS

    CHIEF TECH OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $297,594
    From this org
    $269,854
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,740
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $260,621
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $9,233
    Deferred
    $26,061
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,679
    Filer's total
    $297,594

  • CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERLIN

    DEAN OF STUDENTS

    Total calculated
    $291,147
    From this org
    $229,044
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $62,103
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $228,404
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $640
    Deferred
    $24,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,903
    Filer's total
    $291,147

  • MILI SHAH

    PROF. OF MATHEMATICS

    Total calculated
    $272,752
    From this org
    $213,795
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $58,957
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $213,410
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $385
    Deferred
    $18,242
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,715
    Filer's total
    $272,752

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

  • 1a · Housing allowance or residence for personal use
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 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

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
THE PRESIDENT IS PROVIDED WITH HOUSING AND ASSOCIATED CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES (TO ENABLE BUSINESS USE OF THE HOUSE) AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE UNIVERSITY, WHICH REQUIRES THE PRESIDENT TO BE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CAMPUS TO ATTEND TO EMERGENCY MATTERS AND TO USE HER HOME AS AN EXTENSION OF HER OFFICE FOR MEETINGS, BUSINESS ENTERTAINING, AND OTHER SIMILAR FUNCTIONS. HOUSING VALUED AT $148,000 WAS INCLUDED AS NONTAXABLE COMPENSATION ON SCHEDULE J, PART II, COLUMN (D).
PART I, LINE 4B
PRESIDENT LAURA SPARKS PARTICIPATED IN A 457(F) RETIREMENT PLAN AND RECEIVED $2,500 OF NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FROM THAT PLAN DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2023.

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

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

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.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • PLANNED GIVING POOLS (9)

    T · ANNUITY · NY

  • CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS (5)

    T · ANNUITY · NY

  • CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES (54)

    T · ANNUITY · NY

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
12 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202541339349308904

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