Center for American Opportunity
Cite this
Plain text Center for American Opportunity. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2012–2017. https://strategystudio.org/org/453057411. Retrieved 2026-10-19.
APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). Center for American Opportunity [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2012–2017]. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/453057411
MLA “Center for American Opportunity.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2012–2017, https://strategystudio.org/org/453057411. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-10-19; covers tax years 2012–2017. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.
2017 · Form 990EZ · revenue - · expenses $13K · assets $34K
- EIN
- 45-3057411
- Address
- 2200 Wilson Blvd Room 102-113, Arlington, VA 22201
- NTEE code
- -
- Subsection
- -
- Ruling year
- -
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
see schedule O
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
5 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Gertz (former) | Senior Editor | 2012-2014 | $130,479 | $311,929 | 1 |
| Aaron Harison (former) | President | 2012-2014 | $133,079 | $305,333 | 1 |
| Matthew Continetti (former) | Editor-in-Chief | 2012-2014 | $122,880 | $282,109 | 1 |
| Timothy Killeen (former) | Research Director | 2012 | $104,366 | $104,366 | 1 |
| John Hart (former) | Editor-in-Chief | 2015 | $102,000 | $102,000 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
9 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Snyder | Director, President | 2014-2017 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| John Murray | Director | 2014-2017 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mary Katharine Ham | Director | 2014-2017 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Conor Sweeney | Director, Treasurer | 2014-2017 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Lindsay Hayes (former) | Director | 2014-2015 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Michael Goldfarb (former) | Director | 2012-2014 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| William Kristol (former) | Director | 2012-2014 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Jaime Sneider (former) | Director | 2012-2014 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mary Katharine Brewer Ham (former) | Director | 2012 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2017 · 4 people listed · none paid
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Snyder | Director, President | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| John Murray | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Mary Katharine Ham | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Conor Sweeney | Director, Treasurer | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2016 · 4 people listed · none paid
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Snyder | Director, President | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| John Murray | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Mary Katharine Ham | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Conor Sweeney | Director, Treasurer | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2015 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $102K · 0 employees · 5 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Hart | Editor-in-Chief | 40 | $102,000 | $0 | $0 | $102,000 | 1 |
| Peter Snyder | Chairman, President | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| John Murray | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mary Katharine Ham | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Lindsay Hayes | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Conor Sweeney | Director, Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2014 · 11 people listed · 3 paid, $386K · 27 employees · 7 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Harison | President | 40 | $129,157 | $0 | $3,922 | $133,079 | 1 |
| William Gertz | Senior Editor | 40 | $121,855 | $0 | $8,624 | $130,479 | 1 |
| Matthew Continetti | Editor-in-Chief | 40 | $120,518 | $0 | $2,362 | $122,880 | 1 |
| Peter Snyder | Chairman | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| John Murray | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mary Katharine Ham | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Lindsay Hayes | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Michael Goldfarb | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| William Kristol | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Jaime Sneider | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Conor Sweeney | Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2012 · 8 people listed · 4 paid, $617K · 29 employees · 8 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Gertz | Senior Editor | 40 | $172,620 | $0 | $8,830 | $181,450 | 1 |
| Aaron Harison | President | 40 | $168,945 | $0 | $3,309 | $172,254 | 1 |
| Matthew Continetti | Editor-in-Chief | 40 | $155,920 | $0 | $3,309 | $159,229 | 1 |
| Timothy Killeen | Research Director | 40 | $100,020 | $0 | $4,346 | $104,366 | 1 |
| Michael Goldfarb | Chairman | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| William Kristol | Director | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mary Katharine Brewer Ham | Director | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Jaime Sneider | Director Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
2015 · 5 contractors · $1.2M
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fathom 100 | Dallas, TX | media consulting services | $436,539 |
| Javelin Group LLC | Alexandria, VA | information technology services | $274,500 |
| Jones Day | Washington, DC | legal services | $210,036 |
| Burning Glass Consulting LLC | Alexandria, VA | public opinion research | $182,500 |
| Douglas E Schoen NYC LLC | New York, NY | public opinion research | $112,500 |
2014 · 5 contractors · $4.3M
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Richards Group Inc | Dallas, TX | media consulting services | $1,938,400 |
| Fathom 100 | Dallas, TX | media consulting services | $1,790,957 |
| Javelin Group LLC | Alexandria, VA | Information technology services | $232,500 |
| Craft Digital Media | Washington DC, DC | media consulting services | $176,489 |
| America Rising LLC | Arlington, VA | research consulting | $120,000 |
2012 · 2 contractors · $383K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft Media Digital | Washington DC, DC | media consulting services | $232,900 |
| M Street Insight LLC | Washington DC, DC | research consulting | $150,000 |
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| - | $13,083 | $33,741 | $33,741 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| - | $16,206 | $46,824 | $46,824 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2015 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $1,359,000 | $2,014,641 | $76,948 | $63,030 | $1,359,000 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2014 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $7,342,757 | $7,032,521 | $718,671 | $718,671 | $7,342,757 | $0 | $129,157 | 27 | 7 |
| 2012 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $3,269,063 | $3,322,091 | $403,965 | $358,247 | $3,269,063 | $0 | $328,122 | 29 | 8 |
Funders of this organization
Not reported: no grants to this organization appear in the filings we have (tax years 2010 to 2025).
Similar organizations
Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (48)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN MILITARY MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES | VA | B90 | $154,445 | $153,791 | TREASURER | $0 | Similar name, same state |
| CENTER FOR AMERICAN IDEAS | VA | W05 | $5,382,385 | $6,373,340 | CHAIRMAN | $7,606 | Similar name, same state |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY | DC | Not reported | $0 | $24,400 | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | $363,862 | Similar name |
| AMERICANS FOR INDIAN OPPORTUNITY | NM | Not reported | $515,600 | $533,934 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $76,223 | Similar name |
| CENTER FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY | DC | Not reported | $583,493 | $567,840 | PRESIDENT/GENERAL COUNSEL | $170,000 | Similar name |
| CENTER FOR RACE AND OPPORTUNITY | NC | B05 | $213,852 | $214,003 | PRESIDENT | $45,610 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOR HOUSING INC | TX | L20 | $562,050 | $5,176,480 | SECRETARY | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | UT | T31 | $1,109,424 | $182,549 | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | CA | Not reported | $378,999 | $425,325 | PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE | $447,394 | Similar name |
| CENTER FOR OPPORTUNITY URBANISM | TX | Not reported | $311,000 | $322,906 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $97,500 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | GA | Not reported | $0 | $1,500 | TRUSTEE | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | GA | Not reported | $82,599 | $1,435,000 | PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE | $598,720 | Similar name |
| EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AMERICANS | MI | P20 | $2,346 | $1,329 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Similar name |
| CENTER FOR GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY | UT | Q32 | $227,736 | $3,136,045 | KEY EMPLOYEE | $154,503 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | GA | Not reported | $4,798,368 | $7,873,061 | PRESIDENT AND TREASURER | $598,720 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | GA | Not reported | $63,407 | $53,368 | PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | GA | Not reported | $20,004 | $23,588 | PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | GA | Not reported | $10,000 | $112,022 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Similar name |
| ST JOHNS CENTER FOR OPPORTUNITY | OR | X20 | $403,173 | $326,766 | Chair | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | CA | Not reported | $9,007,887 | $10,777,669 | PRESIDENT | $447,394 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | GA | Not reported | $752 | $16,291 | PRESIDENT, TREASURER, TRUS | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | CA | Not reported | $0 | $0 | VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | GA | L20 | $0 | $354,750 | TREASURER, TRUSTEE | $598,720 | Similar name |
| CENTER FOR AMERICA | GA | Not reported | $10,015 | $533,743 | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | $0 | Similar name |
| AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY PROJECT | AR | R01 | $33,400 | $34,189 | Director | $0 | Similar name |
Who funds organizations like this
Grantors that funded the 48 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2017 · Form 990EZ · $13,083 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees to independent contractors | $11,527 | 88.1% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $1,556 | 11.9% | |
| Total | $13,083 | 100% |
2016 · Form 990EZ · $16,206 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees to independent contractors | $14,641 | 90.3% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $1,528 | 9.4% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $37 | 0.2% | |
| Total | $16,206 | 100% |
2015 · Form 990 · $2,014,641 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $11,979
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other (as described) | Communications media | $689,826 | $689,826 | - | - | 34.2% |
| Other (as described) | Surveys | $381,500 | $381,500 | - | - | 18.9% |
| Other (as described) | Editorial | $334,664 | $334,664 | - | - | 16.6% |
| Fees: legal | $218,453 | $196,608 | $21,845 | - | 10.8% | |
| Information technology | $186,408 | $186,408 | - | - | 9.3% | |
| Other (as described) | Reference research | $70,360 | $70,360 | - | - | 3.5% |
| Occupancy | $35,745 | $34,315 | $1,430 | - | 1.8% | |
| Travel | $32,650 | $32,650 | - | - | 1.6% | |
| Fees: accounting | $25,410 | - | $25,410 | - | 1.3% | |
| Office expenses | $19,357 | $18,754 | $603 | - | 1.0% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $11,979 | $11,979 | - | - | 0.6% | |
| Insurance | $4,212 | - | $4,212 | - | 0.2% | |
| Fees: other services | $4,077 | - | $201 | $3,876 | 0.2% | |
| Total | $2,014,641 | 100% |
2014 · Form 990 · $7,032,521 spent · pay $1,303,943 · grants $850 · events $36,828
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other (as described) | Communications, media, ads | $4,016,198 | $4,016,198 | - | - | 57.1% |
| Other salaries and wages | $996,823 | $937,814 | $59,009 | - | 14.2% | |
| Information technology | $304,052 | $299,435 | $4,617 | - | 4.3% | |
| Other (as described) | Research | $289,140 | $289,140 | - | - | 4.1% |
| Other (as described) | Editorial | $264,083 | $264,083 | - | - | 3.8% |
| Occupancy | $222,836 | $189,411 | $33,425 | - | 3.2% | |
| All other expenses | $196,421 | $196,421 | - | - | 2.8% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $129,157 | $90,410 | $38,747 | - | 1.8% | |
| Payroll taxes | $93,046 | $84,968 | $8,078 | - | 1.3% | |
| Other (as described) | Reference subscriptions | $90,276 | $90,276 | - | - | 1.3% |
| Other employee benefits | $84,917 | $77,545 | $7,372 | - | 1.2% | |
| Fees: accounting | $71,538 | - | $71,538 | - | 1.0% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $62,563 | $62,563 | - | - | 0.9% | |
| Travel | $57,044 | $57,044 | - | - | 0.8% | |
| Office expenses | $53,957 | $45,863 | $8,094 | - | 0.8% | |
| Fees: legal | $49,873 | $44,958 | $4,915 | - | 0.7% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $36,828 | $36,828 | - | - | 0.5% | |
| Insurance | $12,919 | - | $12,919 | - | 0.2% | |
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $850 | $850 | - | - | 0.0% | |
| Total | $7,032,521 | 100% |
2012 · Form 990 · $3,322,091 spent · pay $1,601,291 · grants $0 · events $44,869
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $1,085,532 | $900,658 | $184,874 | - | 32.7% | |
| Other (as described) | Communications, media, ads | $452,297 | $452,297 | - | - | 13.6% |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $328,122 | $249,907 | $78,215 | - | 9.9% | |
| Information technology | $320,265 | $237,966 | $82,299 | - | 9.6% | |
| Other (as described) | Research | $190,046 | $190,046 | - | - | 5.7% |
| Occupancy | $188,811 | $160,489 | $28,322 | - | 5.7% | |
| Other (as described) | Reference subscriptions | $118,133 | $118,133 | - | - | 3.6% |
| Payroll taxes | $104,893 | $85,816 | $19,077 | - | 3.2% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $98,315 | $98,315 | - | - | 3.0% | |
| Fees: accounting | $84,588 | - | $84,588 | - | 2.5% | |
| Other employee benefits | $82,744 | $75,148 | $7,596 | - | 2.5% | |
| Office expenses | $57,938 | $25,593 | $32,345 | - | 1.7% | |
| Other (as described) | Editorial | $46,784 | $46,734 | $50 | - | 1.4% |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $44,869 | $11,723 | $33,146 | - | 1.4% | |
| Fees: other services | $41,738 | $38,500 | $3,238 | - | 1.3% | |
| Travel | $40,039 | $39,310 | $729 | - | 1.2% | |
| Insurance | $36,977 | - | $36,977 | - | 1.1% | |
| Total | $3,322,091 | 100% |