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COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE

EIN 52-1351785 WASHINGTON, DC

Revenue 2024
$12,854,082
Expenses 2024
$9,105,214

Program services were 78.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
Classification
2000
Street
1310 L STREET NW 7TH FL

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 · 2024

Mission

COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE (CEI) IS A NON-PROFIT PUBLIC POLICY ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT. WE BELIEVE THAT CONSUMERS ARE BEST HELPED NOT BY GOVERNMENT REGULATION BUT BY BEING ALLOWED TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES IN A FREE MARKETPLACE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH/EDUCATION DEDICATED TO PRINCIPLES OF FREE ENTERPRISE & LIMITED GOVERNMENT.

  • COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACHCEI'S COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH DEPARTMENT ASSISTS THE CEI POLICY CENTERS WITH THEIR EFFORTS TO DISSEMINATE RESEARCH FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS TO VARIOUS AUDIENCES INCLUDING POLICYMAKERS, NEWS MEDIA, ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT ALSO HELPS THE POLICY CENTERS BUILD COALITIONS OF LIKE MINDED SCHOLARS, ACTIVISTS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OF PROMOTING THE INSTITUTIONS OF LIBERTY AND REMOVING GOVERNMENT-CREATED BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC FREEDOM, INNOVATION, AND PROSPERITY.

    Expenses $1,735,680

  • CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT CEI'S CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT MAKES THE POSITIVE CASE FOR ABUNDANT ENERGY AND PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES BASED ON ECONOMIC FREEDOM, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT. THE CENTER WORKS TO COMBAT THE BELIEF THAT PROSPERITY THREATENS THE ENVIRONMENT, THAT THE ANSWER TO EVERY ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE IS MORE REGULATION, AND THAT RISKS CAN BE ABOLISHED BY LIMITING HUMAN INGENUITY.

    Expenses $1,103,402

  • CENTER FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOMCEI'S CENTER FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOM ADDRESSES MANY OF THE INDUSTRIES AND ACTIVITIES WHERE LONG-ESTABLISHED, AND OFTEN PATERNALISTIC, REGULATORY POLICIES TEND TO STYMIE THE CREATION AND EVOLUTION OF NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, TECHNOLOGIES, BUSINESS PRACTICES, AND WORK ARRANGEMENTS. KEY ISSUE AREAS INCLUDE BANKING AND SECURITIES REGULATION, CONSUMER FINANCE, LABOR LAW AND EMPLOYMENT POLICY, CONSUMER PRODUCT REGULATION, AND TRADE POLICY. THESE ISSUE AREAS REQUIRE OUR EXPERTS TO HAVE A FIRM UNDERSTANDING OF EXISTING REGULATION, REGULATION'S MONETARY AND SOCIAL COSTS, AND AN APPRECIATION OF THE WAY TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION PRESENT NEW CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR REFORM.

    Expenses $979,795

  • CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION - CEI'S CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION STRIVES TO KEEP THE REGULATORY STATE FROM ENCROACHING UPON FRONTIER INDUSTRIES AND ENSURE THAT 21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES ARE NOT SHACKLED BY 20TH CENTURY REGULATIONS. THE CENTER WORKS TO ADVANCE MARKET DISCIPLINE AS SUPERIOR TO REGULATORY INTERVENTION; WE LEGITIMIZE MARKET PROCESSES AND FORESTALL GOVERNMENTAL RESTRICTIONS ON WEALTH CREATION.

    Expenses $739,145

  • CENTER FOR LITIGATION - THE CENTRAL MISSION OF CEI'S CENTER FOR LAW & LITIGATION IS TO ENCOURAGE GOVERNMENT BODIES TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW THAT GOVERNS THEM. CEI DOES THIS THROUGH REPRESENTATION OF PARTIES IN PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION, SUBMISSION OF AMICUS BRIEFS, POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY, GOVERNMENT RECORDS REQUESTS, AND RESEARCH SUPPORT EXTENDED TO CEI'S POLICY COLLEAGUES. ISSUES THAT THE CENTER HAS FOCUSED ON IN THE RECENT PAST INCLUDE CORPORATE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS, CONSUMER APPLIANCE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS, THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FEE, MUTUAL FUNDS FEES, AND CIVIL FORFEITURE REFORM.

    Expenses $707,268

  • OTHER PROGRAMS

    Expenses $1,873,738 · Grants $3,100

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • KENT LASSMAN

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $399,080
    From this org
    $359,403
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,677
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $324,403
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,900
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,777
    Filer's total
    $399,080

  • RICHARD TREN

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • FRED L SMITH JR

    FOUNDER, DIRECTOR UNTIL 11/24

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KRISTINA CRANE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MICHAEL S GREVE

    DIRECTOR UNTIL 11/24

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DANA MODZELEWSKI

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • GEOFFREY POHANKA

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TODD ZYWICKI

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ROGER REAM

    DIRECTOR AS OF 06/25

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SARAH ATKINS

    DIRECTOR AS OF 06/25

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CATHY WINDELS

    DIRECTOR AS OF 04/25

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAVID STOVER

    DIRECTOR AS OF 04/25

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • FRAN SMITH

    DIRECTOR AS OF 04/25

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CARRIE DIAMOND

    VP OF ADMINISTRATION

    Total calculated
    $180,998
    From this org
    $176,796
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,202
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $148,296
    Bonus
    $28,500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,572
    Nontaxable benefits
    $630
    Filer's total
    $180,998

  • DANIEL GREENBERG

    GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $157,835
    From this org
    $120,547
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,288
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $120,547
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $1,984
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,304
    Filer's total
    $157,835

  • AMANDA FRANCE

    DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

    Total calculated
    $174,480
    From this org
    $161,419
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,061
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $134,672
    Bonus
    $26,747
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,811
    Filer's total
    $174,480

  • JOEL ZINBERG

    SENIOR FELLOW

    Total calculated
    $216,227
    From this org
    $182,652
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,575
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $182,652
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,822
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,753
    Filer's total
    $216,227

  • WAYNE CREWS

    FRED L. SMITH FELLOW

    Total calculated
    $223,046
    From this org
    $185,918
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,128
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $185,168
    Bonus
    $750
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,842
    Nontaxable benefits
    $33,286
    Filer's total
    $223,046

  • IAIN MURRAY

    VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGY

    Total calculated
    $198,130
    From this org
    $161,635
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,495
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $160,135
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,450
    Nontaxable benefits
    $33,045
    Filer's total
    $198,130

  • DAREN BAKST - DIR OF CENTER

    FOR ENERGY AND ENVT, SR. FELLOW

    Total calculated
    $183,280
    From this org
    $171,456
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,824
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $156,921
    Bonus
    $14,535
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,824
    Filer's total
    $183,280

  • JESSICA MELUGIN

    DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR TEC

    Total calculated
    $172,162
    From this org
    $160,753
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,409
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $156,013
    Bonus
    $4,740
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $1,300
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,109
    Filer's total
    $172,162

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

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $12,854,082
    Expenses
    $9,105,214
    Contributions
    $13,107,202
    Grants paid
    $3,100
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $8,836,534
    Expenses
    $8,628,363
    Contributions
    $9,067,449
    Grants paid
    $31,000
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $10,125,447
    Expenses
    $8,429,275
    Contributions
    $10,336,502
    Grants paid
    $377,500

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

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,758,776
    Expenses
    $6,681,965
    Assets (EOY)
    $5,463,449

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,758,776
    Expenses
    $6,681,965
    Assets (EOY)
    $5,463,449

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $6,735,306
    Expenses
    $6,582,265
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,757,663

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $6,805,470
    Expenses
    $6,170,171
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,480,576

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,118,816
    Expenses
    $6,213,282
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,901,274

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $6,397,876
    Expenses
    $6,797,063
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,160,827

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,287,515
    Expenses
    $8,354,004
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,880,015

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,703,763
    Expenses
    $7,811,133
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,136,116

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,444,817
    Expenses
    $7,356,910
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,854,282

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,009,846
    Expenses
    $6,427,052
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,913,637

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

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 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.