The Aspen Institute Inc.

“The federal form 990 of the institute is prepared by an external accounting firm in which information is obtained from institute's staff. Once the initial draft is prepared it is reviewed by sr. Finance/accounting and communications staff. If necessary, changes are made and another draft is issued. The second draft form 990 is reviewed by an appointed member of the audit committee along with the cfo and director of accounting. If necessary, changes are made and another draft is issued. The final draft form 990 is provided to all members of the audit committee. Once approved, copies are then distributed to all board members before the return is filed with the internal revenue service.”

“The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect the institute's interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer of the institute, director, or trustee. The members of the board of trustees are required to sign a disclosure when they become trustees and annually while they serve. They are required to disclose any actual or possible conflict of interest; an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.”

“The institute utilizes an external consultant to review all salaries of the institute including top management officials. The consultant performs market comparisons within our peer organizations and makes recommendations on salary levels for positions. The salary levels are based on percentages of the peer organizations. The institute strives to stay at the 50% level of our comparative organizations. The ceo and other officers salaries are reviewed by this consultant and then presented to the compensation sub-committee of the executive committee. The salaries are vetted in this sub-committee and a recommendation is made to the full board for approval in the executive session.”

“The governing documents, conflict of interest policy, federal form 990, and the audited financial statements are available upon request.”

“Consultants: program service expenses 5,360,129. Management and general expenses 119,621. Fundraising expenses 115,202. Total expenses 5,594,952. Conference center management - dolce & marriott: program service expenses 12,717,898. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 12,717,898.”