The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit think tank and policy studies organization founded in 1949 (originally as the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies). It is nonpartisan and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its original campus in Aspen, Colorado. The organization's mission is to drive change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the greatest challenges of our time, focusing on fostering enlightened leadership by convening leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society. It hosts seminars, conferences, and fellowships addressing policy, business, economics, global health, education, societal values, and other societal challenges, emphasizing humanistic studies and cross-sector collaboration. Key initiatives and programs include the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Aspen Strategy Group, the Aspen Security Forum, and various fellowships for emerging leaders, as well as a nonpartisan policy program that brings together senior current and former government officials, academics, and business leaders to discuss national security and foreign policy. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it relies on funding from foundations, corporations, and individuals and operates internationally, primarily in the United States. It has been recognized for shaping public discourse and has faced some criticism for elite gatherings and donor influence, while maintaining a commitment to nonpartisanship and public benefit.