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WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

EIN 06-1043412 CAMBRIDGE, MA

Revenue 2023
$164,876,615
Expenses 2023
$145,733,750

Program services were 84.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
H92
Classification
2000
Street
455 MAIN ST

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FORGES NEW FRONTIERS IN SCIENCE, UNCOVERING INSIGHTS TODAY THAT UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF TOMORROW. OUR ADVANCES IN GENETICS AND GENOMICS ARE NOW ENABLING US TO TACKLE THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE WITH UNPRECEDENTED DEPTH AND BREADTH.

Activities or mission (Part I)

WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE IS A BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE DEDICATED TO MAKING PARADIGM SHIFTING INSIGHTS INTO THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF LIFE.

  • WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH IS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT RESEARCH INSTITUTION LOCATED IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. THE INSTITUTE WAS INCORPORATED IN 1981 TO PROMOTE AND EXPAND HUMAN KNOWLEDGE IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC FIELDS WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF IMPROVING HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. THE RESEARCH OF THE INSTITUTE FOCUSES ON BASIC BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES INVESTIGATED MAINLY FROM A MOLECULAR OR CELLULAR PERSPECTIVE. RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL AREAS, INCLUDING CANCER, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES, REGENERATIVE BIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY AND GENETICS. THE RESEARCH OF THE INSTITUTE IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS WHO HOLD JOINT APPOINTMENTS TO THE FACULTIES OF THE INSTITUTE AND MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ("MIT") (THE "INSTITUTE FACULTY"). THE MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTE FACULTY ARE RECOGNIZED LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS. THE INSTITUTE FACULTY INCLUDE TWO RECIPIENTS OF THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF SCIENCE, FIVE HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE INVESTIGATORS, NINE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND SIX MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE. FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE HAS MAINTAINED A STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO SCIENCE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH BY OFFERING PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE SCIENCE TEACHING AND LEARNING FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. WITH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS RANGING IN SCOPE FROM LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO SPECIAL EVENTS FOR NON-SCIENTISTS, WHITEHEAD OFFERS ITS PARTICIPANTS FIRST-HAND EXPOSURE TO STATE-OF-THE-ART RESEARCH. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE: SEMINAR SERIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS - THIS MONTHLY PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATORS AND OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE TOPICS AT THE FOREFRONT OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH. THE SERIES BEGINS IN OCTOBER AND LECTURES ARE HELD THE FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH THROUGH JUNE. SPRING LECTURE SERIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - THIS PROGRAM, HELD DURING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SPRING VACATION WEEK, FEATURES LECTURES FROM LEADING SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS, HANDS-ON LABORATORY DEMONSTRATIONS, VISITS TO LOCAL BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANIES, AND INTERACTIONS WITH YOUNG WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE SCIENTISTS. SCIENCE WEEKS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS - WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE HAS DEVELOPED IMMERSIVE, WEEK-LONG PROGRAMS FOR RISING 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH GRADERS FEATURING HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, CLASSROOM LESSONS, AND INTERACTIONS WITH SCIENTISTS. TWO SUCH SESSIONS ARE HELD IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. PUBLIC PROGRAM COLLABORATIONS - WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE ROUTINELY PARTNERS WITH VARIOUS RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS IN COORDINATING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCIENTISTS.

    Expenses $123,250,153 · Grants $2,402,028 · Revenue $771,855

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

Officers and directors · 2023

As listed in Part VII of the 2023 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • DR RUTH LEHMANN

    DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $1,057,638
    From this org
    $1,007,583
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $50,055
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $787,994
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $219,589
    Deferred
    $37,145
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,910
    Filer's total
    $1,057,638

  • MR MARTIN MULLINS

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $581,732
    From this org
    $533,715
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $48,017
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $483,031
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $25,684
    Deferred
    $37,020
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,997
    Filer's total
    $581,732

  • MS SHARON STANCZAK

    VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $487,670
    From this org
    $422,093
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $65,577
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $383,192
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $13,901
    Deferred
    $37,045
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,532
    Filer's total
    $487,670

  • DR RUDOLF JAENISCH

    MEMBER (FACULTY)

    Total calculated
    $444,139
    From this org
    $383,687
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $60,452
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $367,865
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Other
    $14,322
    Deferred
    $37,145
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,307
    Filer's total
    $444,139

  • DR ROBERT WEINBERG

    MEMBER (FACULTY)

    Total calculated
    $417,135
    From this org
    $357,083
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $60,052
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $344,665
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Other
    $10,918
    Deferred
    $37,145
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,907
    Filer's total
    $417,135

  • DR RICHARD YOUNG

    MEMBER (FACULTY)

    Total calculated
    $412,274
    From this org
    $352,222
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $60,052
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $329,118
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Other
    $21,604
    Deferred
    $37,145
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,907
    Filer's total
    $412,274

  • DR MARY GEHRING

    MEMBER (FACULTY)

    Total calculated
    $395,540
    From this org
    $329,293
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $66,247
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $301,905
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Other
    $25,888
    Deferred
    $34,908
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,339
    Filer's total
    $395,540

  • DR IAIN CHEESEMAN

    MEMBER (FACULTY)

    Total calculated
    $390,243
    From this org
    $324,315
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $65,928
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $302,226
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Other
    $20,589
    Deferred
    $34,909
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,019
    Filer's total
    $390,243

  • MS LAURA SANDER

    CFO & TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $234,164
    From this org
    $193,664
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,500
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $187,817
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $5,847
    Deferred
    $20,810
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,690
    Filer's total
    $234,164

  • MS MONICA GERBER

    SECRETARY (FORMER)

    Total calculated
    $144,243
    From this org
    $121,089
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,154
    Hours/week
    20

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $119,513
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,576
    Deferred
    $11,833
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,321
    Filer's total
    $144,243

  • MS MONIQUE TAYLOR

    ASST SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $106,580
    From this org
    $88,485
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,095
    Hours/week
    40

  • MS SUSAN WHITEHEAD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MS BRIT D'ARBELOFF

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MR JONATHAN GOLDSTEIN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DR MARK LAPMAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DR PHILLIP SHARP

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MR PETER WHITEHEAD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DR ROBERT SATCHER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DR PAUL JOSKOW

    DIRECTOR/BOARD VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MR CHURCHILL FRANKLIN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DR SUSAN HOCKFIELD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MS SARAH WILLIAMSON

    DIRECTOR/BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • DR DENNIS LANGER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MR SETH ALEXANDER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DR KEVIN CHURCHWELL

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

The first 25 listed. 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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2023
    Revenue
    $164,876,615
    Expenses
    $145,733,750
    Contributions
    $36,282,922
    Grants paid
    $2,402,028
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $120,192,597
    Expenses
    $122,899,801
    Contributions
    $31,297,792
    Grants paid
    $2,481,689

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2024 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2023 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2022 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $110,885,074
    Expenses
    $110,235,410
    Assets (EOY)
    $806,821,986

  • 2021 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $97,603,749
    Expenses
    $96,726,988
    Assets (EOY)
    $896,132,656

  • 2020 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $72,327,232
    Expenses
    $77,087,871
    Assets (EOY)
    $712,253,042

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $83,985,006
    Expenses
    $72,969,532
    Assets (EOY)
    $650,160,818

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $70,193,474
    Expenses
    $72,071,760
    Assets (EOY)
    $627,527,372

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

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

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

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

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2023, the newest we have parsed for this organization.