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Non-profit

The Atlas Society

Website:

www.atlassociety.org
Location:

Kingwood, TX
Tax ID:

13-3554791
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2019):

Revenue: $1,264,547
Expenses: $1,632,909
Assets: $203,504
Type:

Nonprofit
CEO:

Jennifer Grossman
CEO's Salary:

$165,000 1

References

  1. The Objectivist Center Ltd DBA The Atlas Society, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Part VII, Section A, Line 1a.

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The Atlas Society (also called The Objectivist Center, formerly the Institute for Objectivist Studies) is a nonprofit educational organization that supports and aims to further develop the principles, ideas, and philosophy of author Ayn Rand. 1

The Atlas Society supports founder David Kelley’s open Objectivist movement through its scholarly research, publications, digital channel, website, and social media. The Atlas Society hosts conferences, has its opinion pieces published in mainstream media outlets, and trains young intellectuals through its Atlas University. 2

History

In 1990, David Kelley founded the Institute for Objectivist Studies, which was later renamed The Atlas Society, after the Ayn Rand Institute ended its association with him. 3 Kelley promoted an open Objectivist movement that was to be intellectually tolerant and characterized by a benevolent and rational sense of life, achievement, individualism, and freedom. As some Objectivists have not agreed with this approach, The Atlas Society continues to provide resources that explain and support Kelley’s vision of a more benevolent approach to Objectivism. 4

Funding

The Atlas Society is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. While the Atlas Society does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation ($100,000 in 2016), 5 the Copses Family Foundation ($50,000 in 2017), 6 and the Brigham Family Foundation ($10,000 in 2016). 7

People

Jennifer Grossman is the CEO of the Atlas Society. Grossman formerly worked as the director of education at the Cato Institute and as a speechwriter for former President George H. W. Bush. 8

James (Jay) Lapeyre is the chair of the board of the Atlas Society and the former chair of the Business Council of New Orleans. 9

John Aglialoro is the CEO of Atlas Productions Ltd. and owns the movie rights to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. 10

Cliff Asness is a trustee of the American Enterprise Institute and the Manhattan Institute. 11

Baron Bond is a trustee of the Reason Foundation. 12

David Kelley is the founder and chief intellectual officer of the Atlas Society. 13

Other trustees include Franklin Brooks, Peter Copses, and Daniel Leever. 14

References

  1. “Who is The Atlas Society?” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/about.
  2.  “Who is The Atlas Society?” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/about.
  3. Kelley, David. “Introduction to The Contested Legacy of Ayn Rand.” The Atlas Society, June 24, 2010. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/post/introduction-to-the-contested-legacy-of-ayn-rand.
  4.  “Who is The Atlas Society?” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/about.
  5. Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2016, Part XV, Line 3a.
  6. Copses Family Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2017, Part XV, Line 3a.
  7. Brigham Family Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2016, Part XV, Line 3a.
  8. “Jennifer A. Grossman.” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/staff-trustees-and-authors/jennifer-a-grossman.
  9. “James M. Lapeyre, Jr., MBA, JD.” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/staff-trustees-and-authors/james-m-lapeyre-jr-mba-jd-chairman.
  10. “John Aglialoro.” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/staff-trustees-and-authors/john-aglialoro.
  11. “Clifford S. Asness, PhD.” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/staff-trustees-and-authors/clifford-s-asness-phd.
  12. “Baron Bond, JD.” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/staff-trustees-and-authors/baron-bond-jd.
  13. “David Kelley, Ph.D.” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/staff-trustees-and-authors/david-kelley-phd.
  14. “Trustees.” The Atlas Society, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.atlassociety.org/about/trustees.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: January 1, 2016

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2019 Dec Form 990 $1,264,547 $1,632,909 $203,504 $448,899 N $1,240,839 $0 $0 $320,058 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $1,339,168 $1,228,909 $347,747 $224,779 N $1,327,173 $0 $0 $255,981 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,402,476 $1,131,282 $446,063 $433,354 N $1,372,515 $0 $0 $386,697 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,148,692 $1,066,951 $322,341 $580,826 N $1,135,392 $3,336 $0 $0
    2015 Dec Form 990 $646,062 $1,027,992 $159,622 $499,848 N $628,586 $7,437 $0 $0 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $965,275 $1,202,945 $234,904 $194,986 N $930,537 $4,185 $2 $81,642
    2013 Dec Form 990 $1,289,261 $1,155,514 $386,005 $108,417 N $1,287,768 $360 $2 $76,750
    2012 Dec Form 990 $1,076,883 $1,172,264 $333,123 $189,282 N $1,075,587 $554 $4 $0
    2011 Dec Form 990 $1,181,693 $1,255,443 $303,722 $64,500 N $1,174,794 $5,899 $0 $76,808 PDF
    2010 Dec Form 990 $1,046,192 $1,047,414 $354,351 $68,062 N $1,034,597 $4,113 $519 $76,808 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    The Atlas Society


    Kingwood, TX