Highest Paid Charity CEOs
As the year draws to an end, mailboxes fill up with solicitations from charities, inspiring potential donors to investigate which organization is most worthy of their money. Charity Navigator, an online guide for such information-seekers, recently released their 2012 CEO Compensation Study, based on 2010 salaries at 3,786 mid- to large- sized U.S. charities that rely on public support.
Charity Navigator ranks the CEOs with the highest pay in each of nine categories, comparing median pay rates by region, highlighting other salaries of note over $100,000. Their list also runs down charities that have multiple highly-paid family members on their staffs.
It's important to note that the Navigators' list is not a judgment on the appropriateness of the salaries -- just that they are the highest paychecks in their respective categories. The report noted that six-figure-and-higher CEO compensation often shocks potential donors who might assume the CEOs work for free or for low pay. Charities are multi-million dollar organizations, and as such they require highly talented and experienced leaders. Salary is a part of attracting that talent, and a six-figure salary for a mid-to-large sized charity is the norm.
(Another list compiled by Charity Navigator takes a more critical look at charity CEO compensation: 10 Highly Paid CEOs at Low-Rated Charities.)
Each of the top salaries given in each charity category will be accompanied by the median pay for that category and the charity's total expenses. And now, a rundown of those top-paying charities.
Posted 3 December 2012
By Colleen Kane
Animal Protection
Highest Paid CEO: Steven E. Sanderson, Wildlife Conservation Society
Highest Compensation: $787,747
Charity's Total Expenses: $206,097,389
Median Pay for Category: $100,000
Arts, Culture, Humanities
Highest Paid CEO: Peter C. Marzio, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Highest Compensation: $1,633,495
Charity's Total Expenses: $94,182,127
Median Pay for Category: $162,263
Education Charities
Highest Paid CEO: Ralph W. Muller, University of Pennsylvania
Highest Compensation: $2,000,180
Charity's Total Expenses: $4,686,679,000
Median Pay for Category: $177,734
Environment
Highest Paid CEO: Mark R. Tercek, The Nature Conservancy
Highest Compensation: $493,332
Charity's Total Expenses: $852,695,208
Median Pay for Category: $115,746
Health Charities
Highest Paid CEO: William R. Brody, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Highest Compensation: $841,193
Charity's Total Expenses: $110,985,352
Median Pay for Category: $150,986
Human Services
Highest Paid CEO: James E. Williams Jr., Easter Seals, National Headquarters
Highest Compensation: $787,300
Charity's Total Expenses: $93,452,900
Median Pay for Category: $117,875
International
Highest Paid CEO: Richard Haass, Council on Foreign Relations
Highest Compensation: $879,591
Charity's Total Expenses: $52,754,100
Median Pay for Category: $128,187
Public Benefit
Highest Paid CEO: Jonathan W. Simons, Prostate Cancer Foundation
Highest Compensation: $1,204,968
Charity's Total Expenses: $32,435,142
Median Pay for Category: $151,197
Religion
Highest Paid CEO: Mike Novak, Educational Media Foundation
Highest Compensation: $500,450
Charity's Total Expenses: $70,466,309
Median Pay for Category: $88,021