irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.22MRESIDENCE LIFE: THE COOPER UNION STUDENT RESIDENCE OFFERS APARTMENT-STYLE HOUSING TO 156 STUDENTS. THE FACILITY IS STAFFED BY PROFESSIONAL AND GRADUATE STUDENT STAFF AND EIGHT UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENT ASSISTANTS. THE RESIDENTIAL LIFE STAFF HOSTS SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS AIMED AT BUILDING A STRONG COMMUNITY, INCREASING APPRECIATION FOR DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND PERSPECTIVES, AND HELPING STUDENTS TRANSITION TO LIFE IN NEW YORK CITY AND AT THE COOPER UNION.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Disability Support Services
Offers accommodations and resources for students with disabilities in compliance with Section 504 and the ADA.
Office of Student Affairs
Provides guidance and support to students on issues related to discrimination, disability, immigration, and personal care.
Title IX and Human Rights Protections
Addresses complaints related to gender-based discrimination, sexual misconduct, and harassment through formal policies and procedures.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
-
Alumni and School Community Newsletters 1 activity
- Communicate institutional and academic updates through publicationsPublishes the Spring 2026 alumni magazine and regular newsletters focused on the School of Engineering, School of Art, Public Programs, and continuing education, featuring content on curriculum innovation, student exhibitions, and technology integration.
-
-
Program Monitoring & Evaluation 1 activity
- Conduct academic and institutional researchProduces annual reports on enrollment, demographics, and student outcomes, administers surveys of incoming and graduating students, and submits data to external agencies including NYSED, HEDS, and IPEDS. A research group has published over 250 papers and holds 36 U.S. patents in wireless communications, data security, and privacy.
-
-
Higher Education Degree Programs 1 activity
- Deliver degree programs in art, architecture, engineering, and humanitiesProvides comprehensive education across four academic disciplines—art, architecture, engineering, and the humanities and social sciences—with a commitment to accessibility regardless of gender, race, religion, or economic status. Implements inclusive pedagogy and curricula to support student engagement and collaboration.
-
-
Student Milestone Ceremonies & Events 1 activity
- Host major institutional ceremoniesOrganizes and hosts annual commencement ceremonies in the Great Hall, including the 166th Commencement in 2026, and collects graduate reflections on academic experiences and post-graduation plans.
-
-
Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Host public exhibitions and student art showcasesOrganizes and hosts solo and group exhibitions featuring student and external artists across multiple campus galleries, including the 41 Cooper Gallery, Lubalin Center Gallery, and lobby spaces in the Foundation Building. Annually presents graduating senior work and hosts the End of the Year Show across exhibition, studio, and classroom spaces.
-
-
Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Present major public events and performances in the Great HallHosts high-profile public events, speeches, and receptions in the historic Great Hall, which seats up to 865 with a fire capacity of 960. The venue is equipped with full stage lighting, sound systems, presentation screens, assisted listening devices, and WiFi, and includes a green room and lobby reception space for event use.
-
-
Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
- Preserve and share historical legacy through digital platformsMaintains the "Voices From the Great Hall" digital platform to provide access to historical recordings and events held at the institution, including speeches by prominent national leaders and civic figures.
-
-
Safe and Inclusive School Environment 1 activity
- Provide student support and equity resourcesOperates the Office of Student Affairs to provide guidance on issues related to discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, supporting an inclusive campus environment.
-
-
Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Support public access and visitor servicesProvides information on public transportation access and nearby parking options for visitors. Offers public WiFi in the Great Hall and maintains accessible facilities, including assisted listening devices. Previously operated a public reading room for immigrant children in the Lower East Side.
-
-
Uncategorized 2 activities
- Host historic and contemporary civic and political eventsProvides a venue for major civic and political gatherings, including pre-presidential speeches by Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, and others, as well as foundational meetings for the NAACP, women's suffrage, labor rights, and the American Red Cross. President Obama delivered a 2010 speech here calling for financial regulatory reform.
- Steward institutional leadership and strategic planningImplemented a five-year plan to restore full-tuition scholarships and transitioned to new presidential leadership effective July 1, 2025, reflecting ongoing institutional governance and strategic renewal.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$144.83M
Contributions & grants$20.91M14%
Program service revenue$47.88M33%
Investment income$72.58M50%
Other revenue$3.46M
expenses
Total expenses$128.28M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$49.02M
Grants paid out$32.84M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.22B
Cash$32.73M
Investments$1.03B
Liabilities$339.53M
Net assets$876.12M
Liquid reserves99.8 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -1.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 15
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA SPARKS | PRESIDENT | 33 | $833K |
| BARRY SHOOP | DEAN/PROF. OF ENGINEERING | 35 | $437K |
| MARK CAMPBELL | VP-ENROLLMENT | 35 | $393K |
| JOHN RUTH | VP-FIN/ADMIN, TREASURER | 33 | $381K |
| MIKE ESSL TILL 124 | DEAN/PROF. OF ART | 35 | $357K |
| NATALIE BROOKS | CHIEF TALENT OFFICER | 35 | $353K |
| NADER TEHRANI | DEAN/PROF. OF ARCHITECTURE | 35 | $315K |
| ROBERT REINCKENS | CHIEF TECH OFFICER | 35 | $298K |
| CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERLIN | DEAN OF STUDENTS | 35 | $291K |
| TERRI COPPERSMITH | VP-DEVELOPMENT | 35 | $286K |
| MILI SHAH | PROF. OF MATHEMATICS | 35 | $273K |
| ANTHONY VIDLER TILL 1023 | PROF. OF ARCHITECTURE | 35 | $263K |
| DEMETRIUS EUDELL | VP-ACADEMIC AFFAIRS | 35 | $244K |
| ADRIANA FARMIGA FROM 124 | DEAN/PROF. OF ART | 35 | $211K |
| CHARLOTTE WESSELL | SECRETARY | 33 | $196K |
board members · 10
- AFTAB HUSSAIN — VICE CHAIR - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- ANNA BROOK FROM 624 — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- ANNE CHAO — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- ANTHONY IANNO — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- AVERY SINGER FROM 624 — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- BRIAN STEINWURTZEL — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- BRICKSON DIAMOND — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- CAROL WOLF — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- ELIAS DILLS — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- ELIZABETH GRAZIOLO TILL 1223 — MEMBER - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Barry L. Shoop Partner — Named as new dean of the engineering school
- Champion Parking Partner — Lists Champion Parking as a nearby parking option for visitors, though explicitly states no affiliation.
- Christine Sarkissian Partner — Manager of rental programs who handles inquiries about renting the Great Hall.
- Chrysler Building Partner — Hosted the interdisciplinary exhibition 'Stalemate' by Cooper Union artists and engineers in its arcade.
- Edison ParkFast Partner — Lists Edison ParkFast as a nearby parking option for visitors, though explicitly states no affiliation.
- Georgia Tech Partner — President McLaughlin held multiple academic and administrative roles at Georgia Tech prior to joining The Cooper Union.
- Herb Lubalin Study Center of Design & Typography Partner — Collaborates with the Lubalin Gallery to house part of the Study Center's archive of design ephemera.
- Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium Partner — Receives annual external reports from the Office of Institutional Research.
- ICA Watershed Partner — Hosted the U.S. premiere of immersive works by a Cooper Union School of Art professor.
- IEEE Network — President McLaughlin is a fellow of the IEEE and former president of the IEEE Information Theory Society.
- Icon Parking Partner — Lists multiple Icon Parking locations as nearby parking options for visitors, though explicitly states no affiliation.
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System Government — Receives annual external reports from the Office of Institutional Research.
- Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture Partner — School within The Cooper Union undergoing leadership transition
- NAACP Partner — Hosted early organizational events for the NAACP at The Great Hall.
- NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force Government — Partners with NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force for reporting and responding to hate crimes on campus.
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Partner — Hosted the first public meeting of the NAACP in 1909.
- New York State Education Department Government — Receives annual external reports from the Office of Institutional Research.
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Government — Complies with federal civil rights enforcement and accepts inquiries regarding Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and other civil rights laws.
strategies · 6
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Education as a Foundation for Civic Virtue and Social Harmonymethodology: education_for_civic_virtueBy providing education that is accessible and rooted in democratic values, Cooper Union promotes civic virtue and social harmony, because educated individuals are better equipped to contribute ethically and productively to society.
- Free Speech Forum to Advance Civic Engagementmethodology: free_speech_forumBy maintaining a public forum for free speech and democratic discourse, Cooper Union advances civic engagement and historical progress, because open dialogue in a trusted institutional space enables democratic learning and societal reflection.
- Full-Tuition Scholarship Model for Equitable Accessmethodology: full-tuition scholarship modelBy eliminating financial barriers through full-tuition scholarships, Cooper Union strengthens access and equity in higher education, because removing cost as a constraint enables talented students from all economic backgrounds to participate fully in rigorous academic training.
- Inclusive Pedagogy to Enrich Intellectual Lifemethodology: inclusive_pedagogyBy intentionally incorporating diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities into education, Cooper Union enriches intellectual life and challenges entrenched worldviews, because exposure to difference strengthens critical thinking and innovation.
- Integrated Education for Social Actionmethodology: integrated_education_for_social_actionBy integrating technical training, intellectual enrichment, and creative development with a commitment to social justice, Cooper Union produces graduates who act on ethical and societal responsibilities, because this holistic approach fosters socially responsible innovators equipped to advance civic virtue and social harmony.
- Student Governance as Civic Engagement Practicemethodology: civic_engagement_through_student_governanceBy involving students in institutional governance through term-limited student government and use of the Great Hall for debate, Cooper Union teaches democratic leadership and civic participation, because experiential practice of governance builds real commitment to democratic values.