What Does Urban Institute Do?

Total employees650
HeadquartersWashington
Founded1968

The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization established in 1968 that believes in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. They provide data, analysis, and insights to public and private decision-makers to help them address complex social and economic challenges. Their work spans a wide range of policy areas, including housing, poverty, health, education, justice, and economic development, with a focus on advancing upward mobility and equity. They are nonpartisan and aim to elevate the debate, strengthen policy, and inform practice.

Where Is Urban Institute's Headquarters?

Urban Institute officeUrban Institute officeUrban Institute officeUrban Institute office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

Serves as the central hub for research activities, policy analysis, data science, communications, administrative operations, and public engagement events.

Notable Features:

Located in L'Enfant Plaza, a prominent mixed-use development in Southwest D.C., offering modern office facilities and convenient access to government agencies and transportation.

Work Culture:

Characterized by intellectual rigor, collaboration, and a shared commitment to evidence-based policymaking. Employees are typically mission-driven, analytical, and dedicated to social impact.

HQ Significance:

Its location in the nation's capital allows for direct engagement with policymakers, federal agencies, and other influential institutions, enhancing its ability to inform national debates and policy decisions.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters' location and function reflect the Urban Institute's values of accessibility, collaboration, evidence-based research, and a commitment to influencing public policy at the highest levels.

Location:

While the Urban Institute's primary focus is on U.S. domestic policy, its research often has international relevance and implications. Its experts may collaborate with international organizations, participate in global forums, and study international models that could inform U.S. policy. However, it does not maintain permanent international offices; its global engagement is typically project-based or through partnerships and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Street Address:

500 L'Enfant Plaza SW

City:

Washington

State/Province:

D.C.

Country:

USA

Where Else Does Urban Institute Operate Around the World?

Various Project-Based Locations, USA

Address: Not applicable (field research sites)

To gather localized data, understand community-specific contexts, implement and evaluate local programs, and collaborate with regional stakeholders for research projects.

Buying Intent Signals for Urban Institute

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
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Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Urban Institute? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Urban Institute' leadership includes:

Sarah Rosen Wartell - President
Margery Austin Turner - Institute Fellow
Kimberlyn Leary - Senior Vice President
Solomon Greene - Principal Research Associate
John K. Roman - Senior Fellow, Economics, Justice, and Society
Priyanka Varma - Chief Talent and Culture Officer
Kafui Tay - Chief Financial Officer

Who's Investing in Urban Institute?

Urban Institute has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Ford Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Kresge Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Annie E. Casey Foundation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Various state and local governments
Individual philanthropists
Corporate foundations

What Leadership Changes Has Urban Institute Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

Based on available public information, there have been no major high-profile executive (President, SVP level) hires or exits publicly announced by the Urban Institute in the last 12 months. The leadership team appears relatively stable. Minor changes or transitions at VP/Director levels might occur without broad public announcement.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byUrban Institute?

Discover the tools Urban Institute uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Urban Institute Email Formats and Examples

The Urban Institute commonly uses the email format combining the first initial with the full last name of the employee, followed by '@urban.org'. Variations might exist but this is the most prevalent.

flastname@urban.org

Format

swartell@urban.org

Example

90%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Urban Institute?

Urban Institute • October 26, 2023

Urban Institute news title: Department of Commerce Selects Urban Institute to Lead Historic Investment in Data and AI

The US Department of Commerce selected the Urban Institute to stand up and serve as the institutional home of a new National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC) Data Sandbox and a research consortium focused on data access and sharing for AI development....more

Urban Institute • May 15, 2024

Urban Institute news title: How Do Nonprofit Hospitals’ Community Benefit Spending Requirements Affect Health Equity and Outcomes?

This brief reviews the evidence on whether community benefit requirements effectively incentivize nonprofit hospitals to address health disparities and improve community health, finding mixed results and suggesting areas for policy improvement....more

Urban Institute • April 3, 2024

Urban Institute news title: Statement from Urban Institute President Sarah Rosen Wartell on OMB’s Updated Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards

Sarah Rosen Wartell praises the Office of Management and Budget's revisions to SPD 15, highlighting their importance for more accurate data collection on race and ethnicity, crucial for understanding and addressing disparities....more

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