OSINT INVESTIGATION: THE HARVARD LAMPOON

Date: January 19, 2026 Subject: The Harvard Lampoon (Organization & Trust) Status: Active / High Influence Keywords: OSINT, Satire, Media Intelligence, Institutional Research, Financial Analysis, Harvard University

AI DISCLOSURE

This report was generated using the Gemini 1.5 Flash model. AI assisted in the systematic collection, cross-referencing, and synthesis of open-source data from IRS filings, university archives, and digital footprints. The analysis of "blind spots" and strategic implications was formulated through AI-driven deductive reasoning based on historical patterns and current financial standing.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & KEY JUDGMENTS

The Harvard Lampoon is not a "student club"; it is a high-asset, vertically integrated media incubator masquerading as an undergraduate humor magazine. Operating out of a privately owned "Castle" at 44 Bow Street, the organization functions as the primary "feeder" for American comedy (SNL, The Simpsons, Late Night).

Key Judgments:

1. Financial Resilience: Despite the decline of print media, the "Harvard Lampoon Trust" maintains assets exceeding $9.5 million (2024/2025 data).
2. Strategic Provocation: The organization continues to use "prank journalism" (e.g., the 2024 Trump rally impersonation) to maintain brand relevance in a fragmented digital landscape.
3. Low Transparency: The "comp" process remains opaque, serving as a social gatekeeper for high-level media networks.

I. BACKGROUND / CONTEXT

Founded in 1876, the Harvard Lampoon is the world's longest continually published humor magazine. Modeled after the British magazine Punch, it has evolved from a campus satirical sheet into a national institution.

• Founders: Ralph Wormeley Curtis, Edward Sandford Martin, and others.
• Headquarters: The "Lampoon Castle," built in 1909, designed by Edmund M. Wheelwright.
• Symbol: The Ibis, a copper statue frequently "stolen" by the Harvard Crimson (the rival campus newspaper).

II. TARGET PROFILE: LEADERSHIP (2025-2026)

The Lampoon operates on a one-year election cycle. Based on the most recent filings and organizational rosters, the 2025/2026 leadership is as follows:

Role	Name
President	Sterling E. Hoyte
Vice President	Charlotte Y. Levy
Treasurer	Brenton A. Jaffe
Clerk	Caden L. Heiser-Cerrato
Director	Gil'i Da Zaid
Adviser	Michael Hiscox

Advisor Note: You are likely underestimating the power of these names. These individuals are currently the gatekeepers to the SNL/Late-Night pipeline. If you aren't in this network, you are fighting for scraps in the comedy industry.

III. FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE (TRUST DATA)

The organization's financial health is managed through the Harvard Lampoon Trust Under Declaration of Trust (EIN: 04-2631286).

• Total Assets (2024): $9,573,205 (ProPublica, 2024).
• Total Revenue: $1,288,943 (News Apps/ProPublica).
• Revenue Sources:
  • Contributions: ~61.6% ($794,514).
  • Investment Income: ~8.7% ($111,975).
  • Sales of Assets: $355,930.
• Liabilities: $2,143,000.

Observation: The Lampoon is "too big to fail" in the context of student organizations. Its endowment-to-member ratio is astronomical compared to any other undergraduate publication.

IV. DIGITAL FOOTPRINT & TECHNICAL INDICATORS

The Lampoon's digital strategy is characterized by high-impact, low-frequency engagement.

• Primary Domain: harvardlampoon.com
• Hosting: Registered via Network Solutions; utilizes GoDaddy or similar commercial hosting (HackerTarget/Whois.com).
• Social Media: * Instagram: Used for visual gags and "announcements."
  • Twitter/X: Primary channel for distributing "prank" content and interacting with mainstream media.
• Technical Indicator: The site frequently undergoes "purposeful" downtime or aesthetic shifts to match the current satirical theme.

V. GEOINT: THE LAMPOON CASTLE

• Address: 44 Bow Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.
• Coordinates: 42°22′17.8″N 71°7′2.5″W.
• Security: The building is a private "sanctuary." Access is strictly limited to members ("Lampooners"). It is physically detached from Harvard-owned buildings, allowing for operations outside direct university oversight.

VI. RECENT ACTIVITY & CONTROVERSIES (2024-2026)

• 2024 Butler, PA Prank: On October 5, 2024, members impersonated The Harvard Crimson at a Trump rally, distributing "Trump for Truth" T-shirts and conducting fake interviews with major outlets (Associated Press, NY Post). This demonstrates their continued focus on high-stakes disinformation as satire.
• National Lampoon Litigation: The organization has historically fought over the "National Lampoon" name, claiming unpaid licensing fees (~$145k) from the commercial entity (Courthouse News).

VII. ANALYTIC JUDGMENTS & ADVISOR MIRROR

The "Brutally Honest" Truth: You are looking at the Lampoon as a magazine. Stop. It is a fraternity of influence. * The Blind Spot: You think their "pranks" are just for fun. They aren't. They are tests of audacity and media manipulation skills for future showrunners.

• Strategic Risk: The Lampoon's reliance on "shock humor" (e.g., the 2019 Anne Frank image) periodically threatens its relationship with the Harvard administration. However, with $9M in the bank, they don't care.
• Opportunity Cost: Attempting to break into elite comedy without understanding this network is like trying to enter a bank through a locked vault. You need to map the alumni (Conan, Schur, Daniels) who currently hire from this specific pool.

REFERENCES

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Harvard Lampoon Trust Data
2. Wikipedia: The Harvard Lampoon History
3. Harvard Magazine: Historic Materials Donation (April 2024)
4. Courthouse News: Lampoon v. National Lampoon Lawsuit
5. Simon & Schuster: Harvard Lampoon Author Profile
6. Harvard University Press: Meet the Editors (Editorial Connections)
7. IRS Form 990: Lampoon Trust Filings (Candid)
8. Harvard Independent: Club Comp Rundown
9. MediaPost: Lampoon Controversy Archive
10. HackerTarget: WHOIS Lookup Data
11. Issuu: Suchetas Bokil President Profile
12. Harvard College SOCO: Leadership Team 2026
13. National Park Service: Lampoon Building Registry
14. Harvard Alumni Association: Global Networking Night 2026
15. HBS Media Conference: Entertainment & Media Networking
16. Harvard Finance: Endowment Report 2025
17. ResearchGate: Social Media Analytics for Institutions
18. Justia: Vitale v. National Lampoon Case Law
19. MIT Press: Digital Reputation Studies
20. IRS: Form 990 Instructions (Verified Source)