The Highest Paid Nonprofit CEOs
The highest-paid nonprofit leaders — CEOs, Executive Directors, etc. — all earn at least $900k per year, and into the tens of millions for large hospitals
The highest-paid nonprofit leaders — CEOs, Executive Directors, etc. — all earn at least $900k per year, and into the tens of millions for the largest of hospitals and health systems. While the highest-paid nonprofit CEOs are in healthcare and financial services, things get more interesting when we look at normal charities. The highest-paid charity CEOs tend to be a mix of arts organizations, museums, and research institutes, although a wide variety of organizations pay their leadership quite well.
Executive compensation is a tricky issue. Just because a CEO or Executive Director is paid well doesn't mean they aren't more than worth it. But it's still worth trying to understand if a nonprofit exec's pay is similar to their colleagues or not. To do so, we compared total compensation as a percent of organization revenue, and total compensation as a percent of all salaries and benefits paid out by the organization. We found that most executives compensation was between 1.0% and 1.4% of total revenue and between 3.0% and 3.3% of all salaries and benefits paid (these are 25th and 75 percentiles). We found executives paid up to 8.8% of total revenue and 58.3% of all salaries and benefits paid.
Top 10 highest-paid nonprofit CEOs
- Howard P Kern, Sentara HealthcareTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer and Ex - Efficio Director / President and Chief Executive Officer / Chief Executive Officer / Chief Operating Officer and PresidentCompensation$33,221,923% Org revenue3.2%% Org comp27.5%Revenue$1,030,614,538Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Ernie Sadau, Christus HealthTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$17,916,470% Org revenue1.7%% Org comp4.1%Revenue$1,043,073,265Data date2022-06LocationWebsite
- R Heldebrant, Star One Credit UnionTitleChief Executive OfficerCompensation$12,465,866% Org revenue4.9%% Org comp14.7%Revenue$255,066,926Data date2017-12LocationWebsite
- Peter S Fine, Banner HealthTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$12,383,710% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.3%Revenue$8,751,255,377Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Teresa Campbell, San Diego County Credit UnionTitleChief Executive OfficerCompensation$11,797,956% Org revenue3.9%% Org comp13.6%Revenue$305,241,036Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Steven J. Corwin, NewYork Presbyterian HospitalTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$10,937,130% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.3%
- Jack N Gerard, American Petroleum InstituteTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$10,669,493% Org revenue4.7%% Org comp14.2%Revenue$228,789,035Data date2018-12LocationWebsite
- Anthony R Tersigni, Ascension Health AllianceTitleFormer OfficerCompensation$10,631,627% Org revenue0.3%% Org comp1.0%Revenue$3,703,980,191Data date2020-06LocationWebsite
- David C Pate, Saint Luke's Health SystemTitleFormer Chief Executive Officer and President / Former President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$10,442,876% Org revenue1.5%% Org comp2.1%Revenue$703,952,682Data date2020-09LocationWebsite
- James D Dahling, Children's Health SystemTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer and Director / President and Chief Executive Officer / President and DirectorCompensation$1,202,582% Org revenue4.1%% Org comp9.5%Revenue$29,231,867Data date2022-06LocationWebsite
Top 50 highest-paid charity CEOs
- Ellen Futter, American Museum of Natural HistoryTitlePresidentCompensation$11,925,437% Org revenue5.2%% Org comp11.3%Revenue$228,285,796Data date2022-06LocationWebsite
- Anthony R Tersigni, Ascension Health AllianceTitleFormer OfficerCompensation$10,631,627% Org revenue0.3%% Org comp1.0%Revenue$3,703,980,191Data date2020-06LocationWebsite
- James Skogsbergh, Advocate Aurora HealthTitlePast President , Chief Executive Officer / Chief Executive Officer , President , Director / Chief Executive Officer , DirectorCompensation$7,738,486% Org revenue10.5%% Org comp13.9%Revenue$73,418,612Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Thomas Britton Harris, The University of TexasTexas A&M Investment Management CompanyTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$7,055,774% Org revenue11.6%% Org comp18.0%Revenue$60,850,634Data date2022-08LocationWebsite
- Laura S. Kaiser, SSM HealthTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$5,704,315% Org revenue0.5%% Org comp1.5%Revenue$1,122,383,312Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Lewis von Thaer, Battelle Memorial InstituteTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$4,092,751% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$11,024,946,046Data date2022-09LocationWebsite
- Edward J Grefenstette, The Dietrich FoundationTitlePresident , Chief Executive Officer and Chief Information OfficerCompensation$3,764,849% Org revenue2.3%% Org comp61.5%NTEERevenue$166,962,550Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Brian Gallagher, United Way WorldwideTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$3,622,146% Org revenue3.2%% Org comp11.0%Revenue$113,428,823Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Nancy Brown, American Heart AssociationTitleBoard MemberCompensation$3,172,723% Org revenue0.4%% Org comp0.9%Revenue$855,744,080Data date2022-06LocationWebsite
- Robert Schultze, Missionsquare RetirementTitlePast Former President , Chief Executive Officer , Director / President and Chief Executive Officer and Director Until 11 and 4 and 19Compensation$3,125,351% Org revenue1.0%% Org comp2.2%
- C Darby, In-Q-TelTitlePresident , Chief Executive Officer and TrusteeCompensation$3,122,861% Org revenue1.9%% Org comp5.6%Revenue$166,203,888Data date2022-03LocationWebsite
- Dale Maxwell, Presbyterian Healthcare ServicesTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer, Presbyterian Healthcare ServicesCompensation$3,030,584% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.3%Revenue$2,273,688,765Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Thomas P Campbell, Metropolitan Museum of ArtTitleExecutive DirectorCompensation$3,017,012% Org revenue0.5%% Org comp1.6%
- Jason Providakes, MitreTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,817,178% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.2%Revenue$2,236,685,995Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Mary G Leary, MatherTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,676,956% Org revenue3.2%% Org comp8.8%Revenue$84,861,451Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- William Jeffrey, SRI InternationalTitlePast President and Chief Executive Officer / Director / Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,672,028% Org revenue0.7%% Org comp1.2%Revenue$376,927,559Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Peter L Miller, The InstitutesTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,659,396% Org revenue3.2%% Org comp7.5%Revenue$82,291,206Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln CenterTitleManaging and Artistic DirectorCompensation$2,626,357% Org revenue6.4%% Org comp13.8%
- Richard Seidler, Trinity Medical CenterTitleFormer BD Member and President and Chief Executive Officer / Former BD Member and President and Chief Executive Officer / Board Member and President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,586,953% Org revenue0.6%% Org comp1.5%Revenue$425,889,815Data date2019-12LocationWebsite
- William McKeon, Texas Medical CenterTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer / Executive Vice President , Cso , and Chief Operating Officer / Executive Vice President and CsoCompensation$2,490,861% Org revenue2.3%% Org comp13.4%Revenue$108,399,620Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Alan D Guerci, Catholic HealthTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer Thru 6 and 30 and 21 / President , Chief Executive Officer / President and Chief Executive Officer Since JulyCompensation$2,474,462% Org revenue8.1%% Org comp14.2%Revenue$30,450,419Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- David Myers-See Sch J Notes, American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral SciencesTitleBoard Member , President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,469,523% Org revenue0.7%% Org comp1.2%Revenue$373,123,697Data date2019-12LocationWebsite
- Michael W Howard, Electric Power Research InstituteTitlePast Chief Executive Officer Thru 12 and 20 / President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,410,187% Org revenue0.5%% Org comp1.0%Revenue$445,795,227Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Gordon van Welie, ISO New EnglandTitleBoard MemberCompensation$2,327,694% Org revenue1.1%% Org comp1.8%Revenue$210,813,398Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Alan F List, Moffitt Cancer CenterTitlePast FRM President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,290,679% Org revenue1.1%% Org comp1.3%
- David Zolet, Noblereach FoundationTitleChief Executive Officer and PresidentCompensation$2,165,759% Org revenue0.5%% Org comp0.8%Revenue$422,975,916Data date2019-09LocationWebsite
- Issac William Ferniany, Uab Medicine EnterpriseTitleFormer Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,109,882% Org revenue2.0%% Org comp10.1%
- Pierce Charles D, Glory of Zion International MinistriesTitlePresident DirectorCompensation$2,084,437% Org revenue9.1%% Org comp28.7%
- Raymond H. Cypess, American Type Culture CollectionTitleChairman , Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,084,272% Org revenue1.3%% Org comp3.6%Revenue$157,859,423Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Christopher D. Hillyer, New York Blood CenterTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,029,453% Org revenue0.4%% Org comp1.0%Revenue$550,372,782Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Lisa Sherman, Ad Council EdgeTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,895,711% Org revenue2.9%% Org comp7.6%Revenue$66,445,245Data date2022-06LocationWebsite
- E. Wayne Holden, Research Triangle InstituteTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer , Rti InternationalCompensation$1,843,757% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.3%Revenue$1,238,064,784Data date2021-09LocationWebsite
- Edison T Liu, Jackson LaboratoryTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,791,641% Org revenue0.3%% Org comp0.7%Revenue$572,874,395Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Glimcher Laurie, Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteTitlePast Trustee , President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,766,948% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.2%
- Scott P la Rue, ArchCareTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,763,991% Org revenue1.8%% Org comp10.9%
- Mark R Chassin Facp, The Joint CommissionTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,701,007% Org revenue0.9%% Org comp1.4%Revenue$194,266,114Data date2019-12LocationWebsite
- Dan Nisley, Heart of Texas Goodwill IndustriesTitlePast President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,666,286% Org revenue6.6%% Org comp19.4%Revenue$25,419,313Data date2019-12LocationWebsite
- Deborah Borda, New York PhilharmonicTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,636,970% Org revenue1.4%% Org comp3.3%Revenue$120,825,402Data date2022-08LocationWebsite
- Michael Sanders, Monroe ClinicTitleFormer Officer / Director , President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,591,052% Org revenue0.7%% Org comp1.4%Revenue$215,841,279Data date2019-12LocationWebsite
- Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall / The Carnegie Hall CorporationTitleExecutive and Artistic DirectorCompensation$1,576,718% Org revenue1.7%% Org comp3.2%Revenue$90,457,248Data date2022-06LocationWebsite
- Marki Flannery, VNS HealthTitlePast Director - President and Chief Executive Officer / President and Chief Executive Officer / Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations / Executive Vice President and Chief of Provider Operations / Executive Vice President and Chief of Provider ServicesCompensation$1,494,451% Org revenue3.2%% Org comp1.4%
- Brian J. Boon, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation FacilitiesTitlePresident and CEOCompensation$1,481,539% Org revenue4.2%% Org comp8.4%Revenue$35,038,977Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Eric Lander, The Broad InstituteTitleFMR Director , President and Chief Executive Officer / President and Founding Director / President and Director / Director , President and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,450,340% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.5%Revenue$1,051,116,110Data date2021-06LocationWebsite
- Mark R Proctor, Boston Pediatric Neurosurgical FoundationTitlePresidentCompensation$1,413,367% Org revenue10.6%% Org comp12.5%Revenue$13,320,819Data date2022-09LocationWebsite
- David Coleman, College BoardTitleBoard MemberCompensation$1,286,839% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.4%Revenue$983,201,971Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Lincoln Smith, Altarum InstituteTitleSenior Vice President / President and Chief Executive Officer , SecretaryCompensation$1,221,082% Org revenue3.6%% Org comp4.9%Revenue$34,183,665Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- John Petrovich, The Alfred E Mann Foundation for Scientific ResearchTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer / Senior Vice President Business Development and General Council and Chief Executive Officer / Chief Executive Officer / General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Business Development / Senior Vice President , Business Development and General CounselCompensation$381,545% Org revenue1.2%% Org comp2.8%Revenue$31,054,042Data date2022-03LocationWebsite
