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← DISCOVERY INSTITUTE

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by DISCOVERY INSTITUTE.

Totals

Total revenue
$10,240,771
Total expenses
$9,846,072
Contributions and grants received
$9,373,910
Grants paid
$2,330,001
Program service revenue
$621,342
Investment income
$98,123
Other revenue
$147,396
Total assets, end of year
$11,739,895
Total liabilities, end of year
$724,068
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$11,015,827
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$8,960,495
Management and general expenses
$132,600
Fundraising expenses
$752,977
Program service expenses (Part III)
$8,960,495

Program services were 91.0% 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.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $1,121,126

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $8,252,784

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $375,356

  • 2a · Program service revenue: EVENTS/PROGRAMS

    total $496,773 · related or exempt $496,773

  • 2b · Program service revenue: MEMBERSHIP DUES

    total $124,569 · related or exempt $124,569

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $93,220 · excluded $93,220

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $107,336 · related or exempt $107,336

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    other assets $5,100

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

    other assets $197

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    other assets $4,903

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $4,903 · related or exempt $4,903

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $45,613

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $11,552

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $34,061 · related or exempt $34,061

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISC

    total $5,999 · related or exempt $5,999

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $5,999

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $573,020 · program services $573,020

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $779,085 · program services $779,085

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $977,896 · program services $977,896

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $964,817 · program services $482,749 · management and general $186,659 · fundraising $295,409

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,806,598 · program services $2,375,100 · management and general $168,796 · fundraising $262,702

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $247,875 · program services $192,521 · management and general $35,220 · fundraising $20,134

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $292,502 · program services $210,994 · management and general $44,278 · fundraising $37,230

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $25,035 · program services $25,035

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $43,668 · program services $25,000 · management and general $18,668

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $152,667 · program services $150,401 · management and general $2,266

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $515,171 · program services $515,171

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $315,874 · program services $229,577 · management and general $86,297

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $35,712 · program services $15,746 · management and general $19,966

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $305,567 · program services $117,714 · management and general $187,853

  • 17 · Travel

    total $343,234 · program services $341,526 · management and general $1,708

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $34,370 · program services $23,102 · management and general $11,268

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $23,432 · program services $10,197 · management and general $13,235

  • 24a · Other expenses: EVENTS / PROGRAMS

    total $803,620 · program services $803,108 · management and general $512

  • 24b · Other expenses: PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

    total $306,230 · program services $306,230

  • 24c · Other expenses: FUNDRAISING

    total $137,502 · fundraising $137,502

  • 24d · Other expenses: OTHER

    total $52,706 · program services $49,470 · management and general $3,236

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $109,491 · program services $756,853 · management and general -$647,362

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $6,408,936 · end of year $6,337,110

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $4,010,909 · end of year $4,409,114

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $175,000 · end of year $175,000

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $87,220 · end of year $73,831

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $4,990 · end of year $20,490

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

    $389,577

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

    $281,419

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $93,867 · end of year $108,158

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $650,988 · end of year $616,192

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $172,076 · end of year $118,184

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $638,706 · end of year $605,884

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $819,532 · end of year $920,373

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,801,596 · end of year $10,095,454

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

TO ADVANCE A CULTURE OF PURPOSE, CREATIVITY, AND INNOVATION IN A DIVERSE SET OF FIELDS. THIS MISSION IS ACHIEVED THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND ANALYSIS OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.

  • THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND CULTURE PROMOTES RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND DISCUSSION RELATING TO THE SCIENTIFIC THEORY OF INTELLIGENT DESIGN. THE CENTER'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE SPONSORSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND WRITING; THE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS, ARTICLES, REPORTS, AND CURRICULA; THE ORGANIZING OF SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES; AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES, PODCASTS, AND VIDEOS.

    Expenses $7,067,391 · Grants $1,936,728 · Revenue $359,443

  • THE CENTER ON WEALTH AND POVERTY CONNECTS THE PRACTICAL TRUTHS OF ECONOMICS WITH THE PERENNIAL TRUTHS OF ETHICS. THE PROGRAM - HOME TO LEADING SCHOLARS IN PHILOSOPHY AND ECONOMICS - IS BUILDING SUSTAINED AND ACCESSIBLE DEFENSE OF FREE ENTERPRISE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND STEWARDSHIP IN THE MORAL CATEGORIES CONSONANT WITH MOST AMERICANS.

    Expenses $728,726 · Grants $219,773 · Revenue $4,184

  • THE AI PROGRAM (WALTER BRADLEY CENTER FOR NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT DISCOVERY INSTITUTE) EXPLORES THE BENEFITS AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGES RAISED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN LIGHT OF THE ENDURING TRUTH OF HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM. PEOPLE KNOW AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL THAT THEY ARE NOT MACHINES. BUT FAULTY THINKING CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO ASSENT TO VIEWS THAT IN THEIR HEART OF HEARTS THEY KNOW TO BE UNTRUE. THE BRADLEY CENTER SEEKS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS - AND OUR SOCIETY AT LARGE - TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE NOT MACHINES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELPING TO PUT MACHINES (ESPECIALLY COMPUTERS AND AI) IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

    Expenses $597,577 · Grants $56,000 · Revenue $246,846

  • OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE: THE CHAPMAN CENTER FOR CITIZEN LEADERSHIP IS A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN PUBLIC AND/OR COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE CENTER ENABLES YOUNG LEADERS TO CONSIDER THE FOUNDATIONAL IDEAS OF LEADERSHIP IN A FREE SOCIETY BY CONNECTING THEM WITH MENTORS AND FELLOW YOUNG LEADERS THROUGH SEMINARS, LECTURES, AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS. THE TECHNOLOGY AND DEMOCRACY PROJECT EXAMINES HOW NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE TRANSFORMING BUSINESS, EDUCATION, DEFENSE, AND GOVERNMENT AND PROPOSES HOW SOCIETY CAN GET THE MOST BENEFIT (AND LEAST HARM) FROM THESE DEVELOPMENTS. THE CASCADIA CENTER PROGRAM PROMOTES REGIONAL COOPERATION AS THE KEY TO ENSURING MOBILITY, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. THE CENTER ON HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM EXAMINES A CONSTELLATION OF ISSUES SUCH AS ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA, EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH, HUMAN GENETIC MANIPULATION, HUMAN CLONING, AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ISSUES. THE RELIGION, LIBERTY, AND CIVIC LIFE PROGRAM EXAMINES THE PROPER ROLE OF RELIGION IN A FREE SOCIETY. THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR TRANSFORMING EDUCATION WORKS WITH STATE LEGISLATORS, POLICYMAKERS, AND PARENTS TO PROMOTE SYSTEMIC CHANGE TO OUR NATION'S EDUCATION SYSTEM, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PARENTAL CHOICE, IMPROVED TEACHER QUALITY, AND BETTER GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES.

    Expenses $566,801 · Grants $117,500 · Revenue $10,869

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Stephen Meyer

    EMPLOYEE

    Total calculated
    $244,180
    From this org
    $233,008
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,172
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $233,008
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,172
    Filer's total
    $244,180

  • Steven Buri

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $228,696
    From this org
    $227,601
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,095
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $227,601
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,095
    Filer's total
    $228,696

  • John West

    VICE PRES/PR

    Total calculated
    $213,020
    From this org
    $199,941
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,079
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $199,941
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,079
    Filer's total
    $213,020

  • Keri Ingrahm

    EMPLOYEE

    Total calculated
    $159,166
    From this org
    $148,420
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,746
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $148,420
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,746
    Filer's total
    $159,166

  • Jonathan Witt

    EMPLOYEE

    Total calculated
    $153,164
    From this org
    $144,642
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,522
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $144,642
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,522
    Filer's total
    $153,164

  • David Klinghoffer

    EMPLOYEE

    Total calculated
    $148,602
    From this org
    $128,284
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,318
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jonathan Choe

    EMPLOYEE

    Total calculated
    $145,559
    From this org
    $145,266
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $293
    Hours/week
    40

  • Nate Jacobson

    EMPLOYEE

    Total calculated
    $145,334
    From this org
    $134,500
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,834
    Hours/week
    40

  • Steve Schwarz

    DIR FIN & OP

    Total calculated
    $133,317
    From this org
    $122,264
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,053
    Hours/week
    40

  • Kelley Unger

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $133,010
    From this org
    $121,559
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,451
    Hours/week
    40

  • Bruce Chapman

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $12,595
    From this org
    $12,480
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $115
    Hours/week
    40

  • David Barber

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Chuck Barbo

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Byron Nutley

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kathy Conners

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • William Dembski

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mike Dunn

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Skip Gilliland

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard Greiling

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Howard Ahmanson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Walter Myers III

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Annmarie Kelly

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mariana Parks

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Bryan Mistele

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Edmund Moy

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Cole Smead

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • James Spady

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tony Whatley

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

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 · Travel for companions
  • 1a · Health or social club dues or initiation fees
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 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.

  • DISCOVERY HOUSE

    501C3 · EDUCATION · UK · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by DISCOVERY INSTITUTE

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
29 July 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.0
Source object
202442129349301764

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

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