Program areas at Mercatus Center
University Research & Teaching - Supports academic research and faculty activities at George Mason University and elsewhere to advance and apply a research agenda for understanding institutions and change or broadly advance a free and prosperous society.
Strategic Public Engagement - Drives Mercatus's external impact by integrating communications, government relations, publications, talent development, and convening to ensure its ideas reach and persuade key audiences.
Applied Research - Conduct economic research of consequence that makes sense of public policy problems and puts forward solutions that maximize individual freedom and prosperity.
Student Programs - Support Graduate Students at George Mason University, training future scholars and decision-makers to advance and apply a research agenda for understanding institutions and change.
Public Affairs - Seeks to inform alumni, faculty, and supporters about the efforts of the Center and build communication that develops a network of individuals interested in liberty.
Grants made by Mercatus Center
Who funds Mercatus Center
Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
Financials for Mercatus Center
| Revenues | FYE 08/2025 | FYE 08/2024 | % Change |
|---|
| Total grants, contributions, etc. | $46,672,267 | $37,253,749 | 25.3% |
| Program services | $5,561 | $210,355 | -97.4% |
| Investment income and dividends | $1,293,736 | $1,526,159 | -15.2% |
| Tax-exempt bond proceeds | $0 | $0 | - |
| Royalty revenue | $0 | $0 | - |
| Net rental income | $271,586 | $269,695 | 0.7% |
| Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets | $-7,787 | $8,041 | -196.8% |
| Net income from fundraising events | $0 | $0 | - |
| Net income from gaming activities | $0 | $0 | - |
| Net income from sales of inventory | $0 | $0 | - |
| Miscellaneous revenues | $51,938 | $70,380 | -26.2% |
| Total revenues | $48,287,301 | $39,338,379 | 22.7% |
Organizations like Mercatus Center
| Organization | Type | Location | Revenue |
|---|
| Urban Institute | 501(c)(3) | Washington, DC | $129,592,450 |
| MDRC | 501(c)(3) | New York, NY | $89,342,277 |
| Rethink Priorities | 501(c)(3) | San Francisco, CA | $20,599,841 |
| National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) | 501(c)(3) | Cambridge, MA | $46,995,418 |
| The Brookings Institution | 501(c)(3) | Washington, DC | $115,659,701 |
| Peter G Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) | 501(c)(3) | Washington, DC | $17,773,572 |
| Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) | 501(c)(3) | New York, NY | $99,083,520 |
| Pew Research Center | 501(c)(3) | Washington, DC | $46,263,769 |
| Resources for the Future (RFF) | 501(c)(3) | Washington, DC | $15,548,968 |
| Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) | 501(c)(3) | Washington, DC | $52,795,464 |
Data update history
May 1, 2026
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025
April 21, 2026
Used new vendors
Identified 1 new vendor, including
January 31, 2026
Updated personnel
Identified 1 new personnel
Nonprofit Types
Grantmaking organizationsResearch centersCharities
Issues
Science and technologySocial sciencesEducationCommunity improvementBusiness and industry
Characteristics
Legally formed as corporationPolitical advocacyConducts researchOperates internationallyNational levelTax deductible donationsAccepts online donations
General information
- Address
- 3434 Washington Blvd 4th Floor
- Arlington, VA 22201
- Metro area
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- County
- Arlington County, VA
- Website URL
- mercatus.org/Â
- Phone
- (703) 993-4930
- Facebook page
- mercatuscenterÂ
- Twitter profile
- @mercatusÂ
IRS details
- EIN
- 54-1436224
- Fiscal year end
- August
- Taxreturn type
- Form 990
- Year formed
- 1987
- Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
- Yes
Categorization
- NTEE code, primary
- V20: Social Science Research Institutes, Services
- NAICS code, primary
- 5417: Scientific Research and Development Services
- Parent/child status
- Independent
California AB-488 details
- AB 488 status
- May Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes
- Charity Registration status
- Current - In Process
- FTB status revoked
- Not revoked
- AG Registration Number
- 117996
- FTB Entity ID
- None yet
- AB 488 data last updated ("as-of") date
- 2026-08-19
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