SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
600 MARYLAND AVENUE SW, WASHINGTON, DC · IRS data through FY2025
Revenue, expenses and net assets
Revenue Expenses Net assets
| Tax year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | $1,911,142,906 | $1,701,048,762 | $6,509,329,965 |
| FY2024 | $1,955,619,953 | $1,679,118,317 | $6,133,865,010 |
| FY2023 | $1,876,542,577 | $1,601,797,046 | $5,689,746,978 |
| FY2022 | $1,855,983,046 | $1,487,646,437 | $5,410,170,954 |
| FY2021 | $1,804,763,983 | $1,416,120,138 | $5,495,963,159 |
| FY2020 | $1,561,599,985 | $1,394,014,893 | $4,636,979,503 |
| FY2019 | $1,601,124,226 | $1,418,028,412 | $4,334,282,185 |
| FY2018 | $1,466,053,226 | $1,390,817,397 | $4,161,042,055 |
| FY2017 | $1,456,826,975 | $1,374,738,856 | $3,983,926,070 |
| FY2016 | $1,449,630,382 | $1,307,694,171 | $3,830,939,636 |
| FY2015 | $1,354,737,828 | $1,220,524,063 | $3,638,578,392 |
| FY2014 | $1,452,410,465 | $1,173,081,322 | $3,588,103,640 |
| FY2013 | $1,371,587,031 | $1,162,329,865 | $3,241,242,621 |
| FY2012 | $1,315,239,542 | $1,146,692,789 | $3,039,118,608 |
Where the revenue came from
| Source | Amount | % of revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions & grants | $1,533,389,564 | 93% |
| Program service revenue | $111,804,663 | 7% |
Where the money was spent
| Category | Amount | % of expenses |
|---|---|---|
| Program services | $1,271,355,700 | 75% |
| Management & general | $336,177,019 | 20% |
| Fundraising | $93,516,043 | 5% |
What the numbers show
- Contributions & grants made up 93% of total revenue in FY2025.
- Program services accounted for 75% of functional expenses, management & general 20%, and fundraising 5%.
- 75% of functional expenses went to program services in FY2025. That is higher than 35.5% of 31 Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in DC.
- Net assets covered about 45.9 months of expenses at the end of the reporting year. That puts it in the 79th percentile among 402 Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in DC.
- Total revenue was higher than 100.2% of 413 Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in DC.
- Total revenue rose from $1,315,239,542 in FY2012 to $1,911,142,906 in FY2025, Revenue increased in 10 and decreased in 3 of 13 year-over-year comparisons.
- Revenue covered expenses in each of the 14 reported years, FY2012 to FY2025.
- The highest revenue on record here is $1,955,619,953 in FY2024.
- Net assets grew from $3,039,118,608 to $6,509,329,965 between FY2012 and FY2025.
- Contributions and grants made up 86% of revenue in FY2012 and 80% in FY2025.
- Donations are generally tax-deductible (public charity).
Figures compared against other organizations of the same NTEE program area in the same state. See the methodology page for how these are calculated and the guide to reading nonprofit financials for their limits.
About this organization
"INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE" IS THE MISSION SET FORTH BY JAMES SMITHSON.
IRS status
| Ruling year | 1924 |
| Subsection | 501(c)(3) |
| Classification | Public charity |
| Program area (NTEE) | A50Z — Arts, Culture & Humanities |
| Donations | Donations are generally tax-deductible (public charity). |
Similar organizations
- JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS — WASHINGTON, DC · $516,578,163
- NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO INC — WASHINGTON, DC · $354,056,068
- UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL COUNCIL — WASHINGTON, DC · $198,748,025
Source: Internal Revenue Service — Exempt Organizations Business Master File (downloaded September 20, 2026), Statistics of Income extracts, Form 990 e-file data, Publication 78 and the Automatic Revocation list. Figures are as reported by the organization; IRS processing may adjust them. This is not a charity rating and not tax advice. Confirm deductibility in IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
Think something here is wrong or should be removed? Use the contact form — we act on removal requests within 30 days.