Whitehead Institute

What it reported doing in 2024

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, six howard hughes medical institute investigators, ten 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.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 93.6%; rating input score 94
• Program expense ratio: 87.3%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: $15.28 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 1 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 12
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Fail
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 21.6%; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.58; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.15; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.9%; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.8% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 7.5% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.7% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings