Nonprofit Compensation Packages of $1 Million or More
The list below includes the top three compensation packages of $1 million or more at each nonprofit. The Compensation column includes total of base compensation, bonus and incentive compensation, retirement and deferred compensation, nontaxable benefits, and other reportable compensation as reported to the IRS (Form W-2, 1099-MISC, and/or 1099-NEC), excluding any amounts already reported by the organization in a prior year IRS Form 990. Retirement payouts, deferred compensation, severance, and bonuses that (a) comprise 75% or more of total annual compensation, or (b) total to $1 million or more are footnoted.
NOTE: Due to differences in the way compensation might be allocated, high salaries do not necessarily indicate inefficiencies just as low salaries are not always beneficial. A more detailed explanation is provided below the chart.
Name & Title | Charity | Compensation | Fiscal Year | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Craig B. Thompson, M.D. Past President/CEO |
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | $8,104,960 | 12/31/2022 | |
Note: Includes $6,080,000 bonus & incentive compensation. | ||||
Jason Klein Senior VP/Chief Investment Officer |
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | $6,868,047 | 12/31/2022 | |
Note: Includes $2,530,000 bonus & incentive compensation and $2,980,253 deferred compensation. | ||||
Nancy Brown CEO |
American Heart Association | $4,145,055 | 06/30/2023 | |
Note: Includes $2,994,278 bonus & incentive compensation. | ||||
Robert W. Stone President/CEO |
City of Hope & Affiliates | $3,684,871 | 09/30/2022 | |
Note: Includes $1,445,927 bonus & incentive compensation. | ||||
Mark Bilsky, M.D. Attenting - Neurosurgery |
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | $3,403,996 | 12/31/2022 | |
Note: Includes $1,500,000 bonus & incentive compensation. | ||||
Ellen Raney, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon/Professor |
Shriners Hospitals for Children | $3,366,552 | 12/31/2022 | |
Note: Includes $2,664,737 defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plan payment. | ||||
Laurie H. Glimcher, M.D. President/CEO |
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | $2,802,980 | 09/30/2022 | |
Jack Mahler, M.D. Chief Investment Officer |
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | $2,248,532 | 12/31/2022 | |
Note: Includes $1,760,233 bonus & incentive compensation. | ||||
Harlan Levine, M.D. President, Health Innovation & Policy |
City of Hope & Affiliates | $2,232,377 | 09/30/2022 | |
Michael S. Salem, M.D. President/CEO |
National Jewish Health | $2,020,146 | 06/30/2022 | |
Steven T. Rosen, M.D. Chief Scientific Officer |
City of Hope & Affiliates | $1,955,873 | 09/30/2022 | |
Myra Biblowit President/CEO |
Breast Cancer Research Foundation | $1,837,111 | 06/30/2022 | |
David Ellison Chair, Pathology/Director, Neuropathology |
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | $1,829,593 | 06/30/2022 | |
Note: Includes $1,035,264 non-qualified deferred compensation plan payment. | ||||
Emily Naus, M.D. Past Anesthesiologist |
Shriners Hospitals for Children | $1,547,530 | 12/31/2022 | |
Note: Includes $1,005,253 defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plan payment. | ||||
James R. Downing President/CEO |
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | $1,546,372 | 06/30/2022 | |
Harry Johns Past President/CEO |
Alzheimer's Association | $1,468,134 | 06/30/2022 | |
Deborah W. Brooks Co-Founder/CEO |
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research | $1,423,665 | 12/31/2022 | |
Edward J. Benz, Jr., M.D. President/CEO Emeritus |
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | $1,396,571 | 09/30/2022 | |
Kelli Jo Shidler, M.D. Physician |
Boys Town | $1,350,715 | 12/31/2022 | |
Maureen Maciel, M.D. Past Chief of Staff |
Shriners Hospitals for Children | $1,334,258 | 12/31/2022 | |
Todd Sherer Chief Mission Officer |
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research | $1,310,814 | 12/31/2022 | |
David M. Yarnold Past President/CEO |
National Audubon Society | $1,276,173 | 06/30/2022 | |
Charles Ryan, M.D. President/CEO |
Prostate Cancer Foundation | $1,248,911 | 12/31/2022 | |
Cristian Samper President/CEO |
Wildlife Conservation Society | $1,237,933 | 06/30/2022 | |
Thomas E. Merchant Chair, Radiation Oncology |
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | $1,232,030 | 06/30/2022 | |
Marc H. Morial President/CEO |
National Urban League (National Office) | $1,208,640 | 12/31/2022 | |
Jonathan A. Greenblatt CEO/National Director |
Anti-Defamation League & Foundation | $1,207,978 | 12/31/2022 | |
Michael P. Boyle, M.D. President/CEO |
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | $1,190,095 | 12/31/2022 | |
Leslie Upton COO |
American Heart Association | $1,187,544 | 06/30/2023 | |
Sarah C. Hirshland CEO |
United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee | $1,175,947 | 12/31/2022 | |
John Allen Past President |
Brookings Institution | $1,172,263 | 06/30/2022 | |
James L. Clark President/CEO |
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (National Office) | $1,171,813 | 12/31/2022 | |
Wayne R. LaPierre Past Executive VP & NRA Foundation Ex-Officio |
National Rifle Association (NRA) | $1,171,699 | 12/31/2022 | |
Note: Wayne LaPierre announced his resignation as chief executive of the NRA, effective January 31, 2024. | ||||
Carter Roberts President/CEO |
World Wildlife Fund | $1,160,844 | 06/30/2022 | |
Michael L. Lomax President/CEO |
UNCF/United Negro College Fund | $1,149,543 | 03/31/2022 | |
David Miliband President/CEO |
International Rescue Committee | $1,142,414 | 09/30/2022 | |
Mariell Jessup Chief Science & Medical Officer |
American Heart Association | $1,131,559 | 06/30/2023 | |
Earl Lee Managing Director, Investments |
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | $1,130,430 | 12/31/2022 | |
Karen E. Knudsen CEO |
American Cancer Society | $1,118,608 | 12/31/2022 | |
Matt Bershadker President/CEO |
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) | $1,117,171 | 12/31/2022 | |
Saro Jahani President/CEO |
HelpMeSee | $1,023,399 | 12/31/2022 |
1 Name: Craig B. Thompson, M.D. Title: Past President/CEO Charity: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Compensation: $8,104,960 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
Note: Includes $6,080,000 bonus & incentive compensation. |
2 Name: Jason Klein Title: Senior VP/Chief Investment Officer Charity: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Compensation: $6,868,047 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
Note: Includes $2,530,000 bonus & incentive compensation and $2,980,253 deferred compensation. |
3 Name: Nancy Brown Title: CEO Charity: American Heart Association Compensation: $4,145,055 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2023 |
Note: Includes $2,994,278 bonus & incentive compensation. |
4 Name: Robert W. Stone Title: President/CEO Charity: City of Hope & Affiliates Compensation: $3,684,871 Fiscal Year: 09/30/2022 |
Note: Includes $1,445,927 bonus & incentive compensation. |
5 Name: Mark Bilsky, M.D. Title: Attenting - Neurosurgery Charity: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Compensation: $3,403,996 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
Note: Includes $1,500,000 bonus & incentive compensation. |
6 Name: Ellen Raney, M.D. Title: Orthopedic Surgeon/Professor Charity: Shriners Hospitals for Children Compensation: $3,366,552 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
Note: Includes $2,664,737 defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plan payment. |
7 Name: Laurie H. Glimcher, M.D. Title: President/CEO Charity: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Compensation: $2,802,980 Fiscal Year: 09/30/2022 |
8 Name: Jack Mahler, M.D. Title: Chief Investment Officer Charity: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Compensation: $2,248,532 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
Note: Includes $1,760,233 bonus & incentive compensation. |
9 Name: Harlan Levine, M.D. Title: President, Health Innovation & Policy Charity: City of Hope & Affiliates Compensation: $2,232,377 Fiscal Year: 09/30/2022 |
10 Name: Michael S. Salem, M.D. Title: President/CEO Charity: National Jewish Health Compensation: $2,020,146 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
11 Name: Steven T. Rosen, M.D. Title: Chief Scientific Officer Charity: City of Hope & Affiliates Compensation: $1,955,873 Fiscal Year: 09/30/2022 |
12 Name: Myra Biblowit Title: President/CEO Charity: Breast Cancer Research Foundation Compensation: $1,837,111 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
13 Name: David Ellison Title: Chair, Pathology/Director, Neuropathology Charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Compensation: $1,829,593 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
Note: Includes $1,035,264 non-qualified deferred compensation plan payment. |
14 Name: Emily Naus, M.D. Title: Past Anesthesiologist Charity: Shriners Hospitals for Children Compensation: $1,547,530 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
Note: Includes $1,005,253 defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plan payment. |
15 Name: James R. Downing Title: President/CEO Charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Compensation: $1,546,372 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
16 Name: Harry Johns Title: Past President/CEO Charity: Alzheimer's Association Compensation: $1,468,134 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
17 Name: Deborah W. Brooks Title: Co-Founder/CEO Charity: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Compensation: $1,423,665 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
18 Name: Edward J. Benz, Jr., M.D. Title: President/CEO Emeritus Charity: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Compensation: $1,396,571 Fiscal Year: 09/30/2022 |
19 Name: Kelli Jo Shidler, M.D. Title: Physician Charity: Boys Town Compensation: $1,350,715 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
20 Name: Maureen Maciel, M.D. Title: Past Chief of Staff Charity: Shriners Hospitals for Children Compensation: $1,334,258 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
21 Name: Todd Sherer Title: Chief Mission Officer Charity: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Compensation: $1,310,814 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
22 Name: David M. Yarnold Title: Past President/CEO Charity: National Audubon Society Compensation: $1,276,173 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
23 Name: Charles Ryan, M.D. Title: President/CEO Charity: Prostate Cancer Foundation Compensation: $1,248,911 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
24 Name: Cristian Samper Title: President/CEO Charity: Wildlife Conservation Society Compensation: $1,237,933 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
25 Name: Thomas E. Merchant Title: Chair, Radiation Oncology Charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Compensation: $1,232,030 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
26 Name: Marc H. Morial Title: President/CEO Charity: National Urban League (National Office) Compensation: $1,208,640 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
27 Name: Jonathan A. Greenblatt Title: CEO/National Director Charity: Anti-Defamation League & Foundation Compensation: $1,207,978 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
28 Name: Michael P. Boyle, M.D. Title: President/CEO Charity: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Compensation: $1,190,095 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
29 Name: Leslie Upton Title: COO Charity: American Heart Association Compensation: $1,187,544 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2023 |
30 Name: Sarah C. Hirshland Title: CEO Charity: United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Compensation: $1,175,947 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
31 Name: John Allen Title: Past President Charity: Brookings Institution Compensation: $1,172,263 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
32 Name: James L. Clark Title: President/CEO Charity: Boys & Girls Clubs of America (National Office) Compensation: $1,171,813 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
33 Name: Wayne R. LaPierre Title: Past Executive VP & NRA Foundation Ex-Officio Charity: National Rifle Association (NRA) Compensation: $1,171,699 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
Note: Wayne LaPierre announced his resignation as chief executive of the NRA, effective January 31, 2024. |
34 Name: Carter Roberts Title: President/CEO Charity: World Wildlife Fund Compensation: $1,160,844 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2022 |
35 Name: Michael L. Lomax Title: President/CEO Charity: UNCF/United Negro College Fund Compensation: $1,149,543 Fiscal Year: 03/31/2022 |
36 Name: David Miliband Title: President/CEO Charity: International Rescue Committee Compensation: $1,142,414 Fiscal Year: 09/30/2022 |
37 Name: Mariell Jessup Title: Chief Science & Medical Officer Charity: American Heart Association Compensation: $1,131,559 Fiscal Year: 06/30/2023 |
38 Name: Earl Lee Title: Managing Director, Investments Charity: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Compensation: $1,130,430 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
39 Name: Karen E. Knudsen Title: CEO Charity: American Cancer Society Compensation: $1,118,608 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
40 Name: Matt Bershadker Title: President/CEO Charity: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Compensation: $1,117,171 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
41 Name: Saro Jahani Title: President/CEO Charity: HelpMeSee Compensation: $1,023,399 Fiscal Year: 12/31/2022 |
CharityWatch's "A+" to "F" letter grade ratings and financial efficiency ratios take into account how a nonprofit's employee salaries and other compensation are allocated among program, management & general, and fundraising functions.
Nonprofits generally allocate compensation based on how each member of staff spends their time. For example, the salary of a doctor who spends 100% of their time on a charity's program activities, such as providing direct medical care, would generally be allocated 100% to program. A fundraising or development executive's salary would be allocated 100% to fundraising. An executive director or president of a charity might spent 40% of their time on program activities, 25% of their time managing their nonprofit, and 35% on fundraising, and this person's compensation would be allocated among program, management & general, and fundraising expenses commensurately.
Due to differences in the way compensation is allocated by charities in their IRS Form(s) 990 and audited financial statements, high salaries do not necessarily indicate inefficiencies just as low salaries are not always beneficial. Rather than perceiving a particular nonprofit executive's compensation as too high or too low based on its nominal value, appropriate salaries are better determined by considering factors such as special skills needed for the position, relevant education and experience, and the complexity of a charity's operations. CharityWatch encourages donors to view each nonprofit's letter grade rating to better understand how efficiently it is operating overall prior to making a giving decision.