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February 8, 2019

81

Executive Salaries at St. Jude’s (2017)

by Anne Paddock

When some people think of St. Jude’s, they associate the organization with the children’s research hospital but St Jude’s is actually two organizations:  the children’s hospital (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) which provides research and medical care, and the fundraising organization (ALSAC which stands for American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities). Although most non-profits do not separate fundraising from services, St. Jude’s does so both organizations need to be analyzed when looking at “St. Jude’s.

ALSAC

ALSAC raised $1.5 billion (for the year ending June 30, 2017), most of which came from contributions ($1.3 billion) and investment income/gain on the sale of assets, gaming activities and fundraising events ($200 million or $0.2 billion).

Total expenses for ALSAC were $1.076 billion, of which $664 million (44% or $44 out of every $100 in revenue) was given to the hospital (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) for operational and capital budget needs. ALSAC retained $428 million (29% or $29 out one every $100 in revenue) and spent $412 million (27% or $27 out of every $100) on functional expenses related to fundraising (the mission of ALSAC).

So, the bottom line is: If you donated $100, $44 was given to the hospital, $29 was spent on organizational expenses at ALSAC and $27 was put into savings (which had more than $4 billion at year-end).

Functional expenses include compensation for the 1,639 employees of ALSAC whose purpose is to raise funds for the hospital. The 1,639 employees were compensated $137 million which equates to an average compensation of $84,000 each. However, 255 employees of ALSAC received more than $100,000 in compensation. The nine (9) most highly compensated individuals were reported to be:

  • $1,087,044:  James Downing, Ex-Officio Director (comp from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)
  • $  868,643:  Richard C Shadyac, Jr.:  CEO and Ex-Officio Director
  • $  542,741:  Emily S Greer, Chief Administrative Officer
  • $  517,293:  Jeffrey T Pearson, Chief Financial Officer
  • $  514,395:  Emily Callahan, Chief Marketing Officer
  • $  497,124:  Robert Machen, Chief Information Officer
  • $  471,938:  Anurag Pandit, Chief Investment Officer
  • $  454,251:  Sara Hall, Chief Legal Officer
  • $  447,309:  George Shadroui, Chief Strategy Officer

As illustrated above, 9 employees received total compensation of $5.5 million. Of the 9 most highly compensated employees, 6 (67%) are male, while 3 (33%) are female.

The 990 also reports ALSAC paid for companion travel and health or social club dues or initiation fees (See Schedule J, Part III for more information).

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital reported total revenue of $901 million (for the year ending June 30, 2017) which came from four (4) sources:  ALSAC provided $664 million, patient care (primarily insurance companies) provided $124 million, $79 million came from government grants, and $34 million came from royalties, the cafeteria, a bond gain, and other sources.

Total expenses for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital were $857 million, of which includes $462 million paid in compensation to the 4,929 employees, which equates to an average compensation of $94,000. However, 766 employees received more than $100,000 in total compensation. The 15 most highly compensated employees were reported to be:

  • $1,249,628:  Thomas E Merchant, Chair
  • $1,087,044:  James Downing, President and CEO, Ex-Officio Director
  • $1,002,230:  Ching-Hon Pui, Chair
  • $  938,849:  David Ellison, Chair
  • $  926,684:  Leslie L Robison, Chair
  • $  894,215:  Charles M Roberts, EVP/Director Cancer Center
  • $  868,643:  Richard Shadyac, Ex-Officio Director (who received compensation from ALSAC)
  • $  794,456:  Elaine I Tuomanen, Chair
  • $  793,407:  Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, EVP/Chair
  • $  736,869:  Mary Anna Quinn, EVP/Chief Admin Officer
  • $  716,462:  William E Evans, Faculty and Former Press and CEO
  • $  643,897:  James I Morgan, EVP/Scientific Director
  • $  629,068:  Pat Keel, SVP/CFO
  • $  563,371:  Larry Kun, Former EVP, Clinical Director
  • $  483,563:  Michael C Canarios, Former SVP/CFO

As illustrated above, the 15 most highly compensated employees received $12.3 million.  Of the 15 most highly compensated employees, 12 (80%) are male while 3 (20%) are female.

The 990 also reports:

The organization paid for companion travel and tax indemnification and gross up payments (for more detail see Schedule J, Part III of the 990.  In addition:

$344,860 was offered to the former CFO under a separation agreement whose terms are confidential.

Payments were made to five employees under the non-qualified deferred compensation plan during the year:

  • Michael C Canarios:  $23,877
  • Ching-Hon Pui:  $289,585
  • Mary Anna Quinn:  $275,360
  • Leslie L Robison:  $286,030
  • Elaine I Tuomanen:  $265,433

Business transactions with interested persons include:

  • Mary Rellings (compensation of $508,689) is related by family to William E Evans (compensation of $716,462).
  • Susanna Downing (compensation of $63,360) is related by family to James R Downing (compensation of $1,087,044).
  • Diane Roberts (compensation of $200,935) is related by family to Charles M Roberts (compensation of $894,215).

To read the ALSAC IRS Form 990 (2016) for the year ending June 30, 2017, click here.

To read the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital IRS Form 990 (2016) for the year ending June 30, 2017, click here.

To read about updated (2018) executive compensation (Executive Compensation at St Jude’s (2018), click here.

To read about financial trends (Top Ten Financial Tips to Know About St. Jude’s) of St. Jude’s and ALSAC, click here.

To read an update, click on Executive Compensation at St Jude (2019)

To read an update, click on Executive Compensation at St Jude (2020)

81 Comments
  1. Al Hernandez
    Jul 23 2020

    I thought of starting my monthly donation of $19.00. However after reading the remarks I will not donate one cent. Tell the million dollar execs to anti up….

  2. Brenda F. Kennedy
    Jul 23 2020

    I find it extremely sad and I am shocked that the CEO and other execs are paid so much money. This needs to be addressed and rectified ASAP. I’ve always believed in St Judes and it’s mission but I am saddened by the way the money is spent. I hope the Thomas family gets more involved because we need the hospital to be all that it claims to be a research hospital. Clean up your act.The kids deserve better

  3. Paul Mazo
    Jun 16 2020

    I have donated in the past and, for some reason, just decided to look up who makes what and I can say, without question, that I have made my last donation to St. Judes. it’s (or should be) criminal how much money so many people are making and there is only .44 left of my dollar to actually go to doing the children some good. I’m quite disappointed to say the least. If anyone actually reads this, please take me off of your mailing lists for any future solicitations.

  4. May 30 2020

    Honestly, Marlo Thomas is not the problem. The problem lies on the shoulders of every single director of ALSAC and St. Jude’s along with the executive management AND the donors who don’t demand change.

  5. Donna Freeman
    May 29 2020

    HOW DARE YOU USE SICK CHILDREN TO SUPPORT YOURSELVES. MARLO THOMAS MAKES ME SICK! YA SHE’S THAT” GIRL. THAT’S HOW SHE EARNS A LIVING OFF OF SICK CHILDREN.

  6. Angela Ng
    Apr 19 2020

    Disappointed in the richness in salary that executives at St. Jude’s need in order to be content when the average person who donates could be struggling to survive in this economy.

  7. Apr 15 2020

    It’s not a matter of being responsible or not being responsible just as its not an issue of whether or not St. Jude/ALSAC does good things. Why do you and so many others think this is a black and white issue? How can you not see that one of the major issues is balance and whether St Jude should have $5 billion in the bank or maybe $4 billion so that 1,000 more sick children could be treated?

    St. Jude stated they need to keep 18 months in hospital costs in savings (about $1.5 billion) in the event donations dry up, which is highly unlikely even in these times. Revenue may decline but revenue won’t dry up. They have more than $5 billion in net assets. How odd is it that you don’t think some of this money should go to help more sick children instead of continuing to grow fund assets?

    How odd is it that you don’t take issue with money spent on companion travel (would you choose to pay for companion travel for an executive of St Jude/ALSAC who is making $1 million a year or would you choose to help a sick child?) or health or social club dues or initiation fees?

    How odd is it that you don’t take issue with executives receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in severance payments and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, as opposed to helping more sick children:

    $344,860 was offered to the former CFO under a separation agreement whose terms are confidential.

    Payments were made to five employees under the non-qualified deferred compensation plan during the year:

    Michael C Canarios: $23,877
    Ching-Hon Pui: $289,585
    Mary Anna Quinn: $275,360
    Leslie L Robison: $286,030
    Elaine I Tuomanen: $265,433

    And, finally how odd it is that you take offense to public information (that was reported by St Jude and ALSAC to the IRS) being made public?

  8. Liv
    Apr 15 2020

    It strikes me as odd that the blog is displeased with a non-profit’s savings, which is for times like these. So, what would happen to the kids if they were not responsible and didn’t have money in the bank, especially right now in this scary time when many charities won’t make it and many people are losing jobs? Is St. Jude only supposed to have enough money to make it each year and not be responsible for patients long-term? How are you suggesting St. Jude guarantee those kids get cancer treatment which takes years and where patients don’t ever pay a bill (no other place does that) if they don’t fundraise enough and know if they will have enough money to cover their costs this year or even next year? Same with salaries. You want the best people working there to raise money, treat kids and research cures which they freely share.

  9. Maha M Hassan
    Mar 12 2020

    I have been donating monthly, I will stop the monthly donation until their salaries go down.

  10. Sebastian V. Guarino
    Feb 27 2020

    I have been donating to St. Jude’s for many years. I just don’t understand why there are so many employees making these exorbitant salaries. I’m pretty sure you can get qualified people to do the same work for a percentage of the high priced salaried employees.

  11. Feb 5 2020

    Well said.

  12. Toni Munford
    Feb 5 2020

    I used to donate to St. Jude’s but stopped several years ago. I questioned the use of the money, and why no cures resulted after decades of research. I understand that children have been “cured” but I mean a true eradication of the numerous cancers that children and adults have the misfortune to get. Over 60 years ago, my mother told me that there was more money to be had in the treatments than in the cures. It was true then, and it’s true now.

    I also understand that medical professionals, and administrators need compensation, but to what extent? What part of the word, charity, don’t they understand? Whether you donate your time, money, or expertise, to me, the word “charity” means to give freely without recompense.
    I wonder how much these highly overpaid executives actually donate to St. Jude’s themselves. Oh, but wouldn’t that be a write off on their income tax anyway, win-win for them…

    I was going start donating to St. Jude’s again, but after reading your posts, I will give my money to a local charity that I know truly understands the meaning of charity.

  13. Becky smith
    Feb 3 2020

    It makes me shake my head to think about all the money myself and my family had donated to St. Jude and for what? Your salaries are beyond ridiculous. I even had people donate instead of sending flowers when my mother died. Shame on you all!! I won’t be donating an more.

  14. Alvin Voyles
    Jan 27 2020

    I have given for a few years but after reading this mess I will not be sending any more money to this organization. Marlo Thomas should not show her face in public.

  15. Jan 19 2020

    Yes, Lauren you are absolutely correct. St. Jude’s does bill insurance companies when applicable.

    I have to disagree with your assessment that the Salvation Army uses their donations more wisely. The Salvation Army states they are a religious organization so they don’t have to file a Form 990. In other words, the Salvation Army is not transparent to the public so we have no way of knowing if their donations are spent more wisely. What is known about the Salvation Army is that they have tremendous real estate holdings (including residential) but do not pay real estate taxes on these properties because they claim to be a church and are therefore exempt, which means the rest of us have to make up the difference in what they don’t pay (including staff of the Salvation Army who live in organization owned properties). To read more about the Salvation Army click on the links below:

    Why the Salvation Army Should File an IRS Form 990

    Where does $1 to the Salvation Army go?

    In closing, I advise all to read a Form 990 before deciding how wisely a non-profit uses revenue.

  16. Lauren Emerson
    Jan 19 2020

    Also interesting is that gross-up payments are also paid out – which, compensates for the income tax these executives will need to pay on their inflated salaries. So, donations go to paying their income tax – a tax that we all have to pay except for those executives who run the fundraising for St. Jude’s.
    This is whole scheme is just extortion from the public under the pretense of helping sick children and their familes – which they do – at a great and inflated cost form the donors.

  17. Lauren Emerson
    Jan 19 2020

    It’s never mentioned that St. Jude’s also bills insurance – a big part of their compensation – they aren’t footing the entire bill for every child. That’s why I don’t get all excited about supporting these nonprofits (written without a hyphen BTW) —-I think the Salvation Army uses their donations more wisely. I’m sure Marlo knows where the money goes —-and is still using her sultry voice to persuade more to donate.

  18. John Epperson
    Jan 18 2020

    This supposed to be a nonprofit organization but you are robbers . The only difference between you and crooks are you don’t use guns .

  19. Laurie Reich
    Jan 18 2020

    Ridiculous that these people from the CEO make the amount of money that they do. If they were paid 100,000 dollars each per year just think of all the money that could be put into the program. I would love to donate for the children but not for ridiculous pay checks for the people that run St. Jude’s. Shameful.

  20. Robert A Maddocks Jr
    Jan 12 2020

    Spot on, Beverly. Same here. We’ve cancelled our generous contributions.

  21. Beverly Gerald Eison
    Jan 11 2020

    I will not contribute to any charity whose single most compensated individual receives 6.7 MILLION dollars per year. ABSURD! I shall donate to the Masonic hospitals and my CHURCH. How do you sleep at night?

  22. Jan 10 2020

    So, you think the salaries are outrageous AND that it’s all about saving as many children as possible? If saving as many children as possible is a priority than you would be pushing for the hospital to spend more money on sick children (why put hundreds of millions in the endowment every year that is now over $5 billion, rather then expanding services and helping more sick kids?). And, yes there is a zero cost to families but insurance reimbursement for many (not all) provides reimbursement to the hospital. Raise the bar, John if you really want to help more sick kids.

  23. John Musco
    Jan 10 2020

    I am a staunch St Judes donator, and although I agree that the salaries are outrageous this will not stop me from continuing giving to them. It’s not about the high end salaries it’s about saving as many children as possible, I’m not defending anyone but I’m sure that their endeavors are quite stressful in the continuance of keeping a ZERO cost to any family needing their services. As far as everyone questioning Marlo’s salary, did it ever occur to you that there is none, she was a very successful actress and is married to a very successful man! In closing I only hope that those who are now disenchanted about donating, please just consider the children and their families. May god bless you and the children….

  24. Col Bob Maddocks
    Jan 3 2020

    Sadly, these sick children are being exploited to raise millions that don’t benefit the actual patients or research efforts. This is clearly a scam. Our generous contributions will not continue.

  25. bob Abrahams
    Jan 3 2020

    I have been contemplating to make a regular donation. Where there is money there is corruption. why would any man need millions as a compensation? I run my own business and I make sure I only pay myself after I have paid all my employees fairly and squarely.

    So I decided to do a bit of digging before donating

    I shall not donate

  26. Jan 2 2020

    The Form 990 does not detail reimbursements.

  27. Cathy Spagna
    Jan 1 2020

    Since I am a contributor to St Judes Hospital, I feel these salaries are outrageous! Also what is Marlo Thomas getting in reimbursements of expenses? I can’t find anything about that.

  28. Willie Joe Finnie, Jr.
    Dec 31 2019

    Keep up the GOOD WORK.

  29. Dec 28 2019

    That would be commendable.

  30. Ivan J Wahl
    Dec 28 2019

    I’m sure that in the same spirit of empathy and generosity those employees listed that ask for and expect the loving and giving heart of the public to support St. Jude’s and it’s children that they in turn donate at least ten percent of those generous salaries back to the hospital to show their commitment to its fine works. Please remind them that their donation is tax deductible to encourage their generous giving.

  31. Dec 28 2019

    Megan: No one is advocating to abandon the children; this is not an either/or situation. The point is that donors have to demand that more revenue be spent on the children and their families. Unless donors like yourself demand change and action, more sick children will not be helped. Stand up. Expect more. Demand more.

  32. Megan Bordenave
    Dec 27 2019

    People I am shocked too at this information,
    but these children still need our donations!
    Every dollar that goes to them is desperately needed! PLEASE DON’T STOP DONATING,
    PLEASE DON’T ABANDON THESE CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THIS!
    They need us.

  33. noemail1234
    Dec 27 2019

    Literally can’t believe that these people take such a high salary from kids with cancer. I understand they have bills to pay. But seriously, 100,000$ is more than reasonable. They are just being greedy. They need to redo the chain of pay, and give it to the children.

  34. A Grant
    Dec 25 2019

    I have given in the past but no longer. I understand everyone that works should get paid unless you are volunteering but the salaries for these people are ridiculous. I will no longer be giving to St. Judes. I understand children are being helped but none of the money that is given should pay for anyones salary. It should all go to the children. Services they need etc.

  35. Aaron Szanyi
    Dec 18 2019

    how much does Marlo Thomas earn ?

  36. SMACK
    Dec 16 2019

    Like so many of the other donors, I have enjoyed donating to St. Jude’s, based on what I understood the organisation for The Children. A Non-Profit organization… As most of the comments above have already layed out the utter disappointment with the vague, if not deception, I will not comment any further, other than to say, my monthly donation will now go to my church instead of to the deceptive St. Judes. What a SHAMEFUL and Deceitful ploy the corporate executives have pulled on the good hearted people that want to help THE CHILDREN.

  37. Dec 15 2019

    I don’t know but that’s an interesting thought.

  38. Terry
    Dec 15 2019

    Hey Anne, is it true that the best and crookest require the biggest pots to steal from?

  39. Terry
    Dec 15 2019

    John is so full of crap.

  40. Dec 13 2019

    That information is not on the 990’s.

  41. Dec 13 2019

    How much do the celebrities make to do the commercials??

  42. Dec 13 2019

    Unfortunately, that’s not true (and to make things worse, The Salvation Army claims they are a church and therefore do not have to file a Form 990 and be transparent to the public, and yet they want public funds). Read below:

    Where does $1 to the Salvation Army go?

    Why the Salvation Army Should File an IRS Form 990

    Where Does $100 to the Rotary Foundation Go?

    Where Does $100 to Rotary International Go?

    Executive Compensation at the Rotary Foundation (2017)

    Executive Compensation at Rotary International (2017)

    Understanding Rotary

  43. W Golding
    Dec 12 2019

    Most of the money contributed to the Episcopal World Fund, The Salvation Army and the Rotary international Foundation go to Programs, not fundraising and administration.

  44. Joe stariha
    Dec 9 2019

    I don’t donate when people get paid that much and the fringe benifits, I will donate to other group’s,
    That gets me sick to see what people are getting paid, and they ask for money from those with little

  45. Matt Drewes
    Dec 4 2019

    I’m utterly disappointed and appalled at what I’ve been reading about St Jude’s. I was also about to donate a 4-figure sum and will now donate to our church and the Shriner’s Hospital, which has much lower operating & salary costs, and does not have such a vague umbrella organization like ALSAC. No more of my money is going to St Jude’s. It is a shame that they are sitting on $5B when they could be expanding their coverage or finding something good to do with those donations.

  46. Elaine
    Dec 4 2019

    I got my regular address labels in the mail and sat to make out my check. I looked at the mailing address. With all the deception going on in today’s world, I thought I should check out to see if it really is St. Jude’s mailing address. I discovered the ALSAC connection and began to research as to why they keep almost $.20 on every dollar and out of $1Billion what that would be. After seeing it is $200Million, I wondered what the ALSAC did with it. Now I see. VERY disappointed and think Danny would be also. His aim was to help children fight cancer, not make corporate heads independently wealthy. It is a CHARITY for sick children, for goodness sake!!!!

  47. Al MANNETTA
    Dec 3 2019

    I have made monthly donations for more then 4 years and after seeing this list of expenses and payroll I will stop at once.

  48. Jay Beeney
    Dec 3 2019

    the only reason they havent found cures is because as soon as they do that would end all the bogus pay checks to individuals who do nothing @ all

  49. Randy
    Dec 3 2019

    This is so disappointing to me. Looks like greed is more important than the precious children whose pictures you post all over my emails. I will find another way to give that feels right for me. Maybe you can give large chunks of your salaries to offset all the money you won’t be getting from donors.

  50. Nancy Gavin
    Nov 24 2019

    I really thought most of the donated money went to the research hospital and not to pay such high salaries to the CEOs. I will need to find a different charity.

  51. Matt simons
    Nov 19 2019

    Like many I have been a donor for many years. Never gave very much monthly, only because I do not have much in terms of money. Never made more than $67,ooo in my life, and had to work a F..T. job and a P.T.. job to make that. So it aggravates me to see these people making so much money plus other benefits.. I am not a great trusting person and I believe a lot of non profits are part of the swamp and some are making a bundle. I am sure that I am not the only one to get a lot of mail almost everyday and almost all consists of requests for money from different places, such as other non profits like..all the Vets groups, politician, churches, etc..I believe that the Feds, who I believe control these outfits, should void all agreements with non profits and have them refile new applications and go over them with a fine toothed comb. Imagine what that would do to funds such as The Clintons, the Obamas, and all the rest of the samp
    I am sorry to say that I am not going to give St. Jude’s one more dime. Before I finish one person mentioned that it was hard to hire some one to run a hospital for less than a million bucks or be the CEO. That’s a crock. I have a good friend who ran a 410 bed hospital for $135,000 and held the job for years and the hospital did well until he left, I know he is the exception not the rule but there are very few people in this world worth the kind of money that was mentioned in the article,

  52. Sondra
    Nov 2 2019

    I use to be a regular contributor to St. Judes. I gave almost $1000 last year. We are retired people with an income of about 31,000 a year. It’s tough to live on that amount in this day and age with taxes, insurance, utilities, gas, and groceries plus a small amount for entertainment. I will not be giving any more to St. Jude. I realize quality people cost money, but, give me a break, this is ridiculous!!

  53. Oct 30 2019

    How Can you steal this money you sorry Crooks you put a poor child on your fundraising brochures and literature to dupe the public shame on you!!!! and I hope and pray your organization bellies up: you don’t deserve a dime taking in over $100,000 + for most of your top so-called executives.my contributions will stop and I will spread the news about your organization to everyone I know.

  54. Oct 23 2019

    John: You can’t compare for-profit corporations with a non-profit. Second, the compensation packages at ALSAC and St. Jude’s are NOT peanuts. Third, everyday executives do NOT receive a minimum of 7/8 million yearly. If you really want whats best for kids, tell ALSAC and St. Jude to stop paying for companion travel, social and health club dues and initiation fees, gross up payments, AND, to stop putting hundreds of millions into their general fund (which has more than $5 BILLION) and help more kids by expanding their services. Oh, and by the way, are you or have you ever been affiliated with St. Jude or ALSAC?

  55. John Logiudice
    Oct 23 2019

    I have no problem with these salaries ! As compared with most major corp. this is actually peanuts! The research and commitment by these executives and Doctors, Nurses and ancillary employees ! It is 2020 and the regular Everyday Executives receive a minimum of 7/8 million yearly! So to see these they seem more than conservative to me! I am so grateful for your hard work your commitment to children and their illness and the help you give the entire family! Thank you for your hard work !

  56. Oct 17 2019

    I’m very disappointed that ALSAC greedily keeps that huge amount of money to pay big fat 6 figure-and more salaries. What do they do all day to earn that kind of money? That is outrageous! I’m doing my will, but ALSAC won’t see a penny of it. You’re a bunch of greedy people who outa’ be ashamed. I wouldn’t trust ALSAC with 10 cents. Really! You don’t need that kind of money and you don’t deserve it. Be satisfied and content with a fair salary and give the rest to the patients. Thousands of people would happily do your job for 1/3 of what your earning; or I should say–“receiving”. In my opinion you’re pretty corrupt in a legal way. Shame on you.

    Richard Dumas

  57. Nick
    Oct 12 2019

    I think it’s disgusting how much money these executives are making off the backs of children with cancer

  58. Oct 10 2019

    The post is NOT just about the salaries at the hospital but ALSO at ALSAC, the fundraising arm which spends $29 to raise $100.

    And, finally it is also important to note it’s not just about the salaries:

    The 990 also reports ALSAC paid for companion travel and health or social club dues or initiation fees (See Schedule J, Part III for more information).And, at St. Jude’s, the organization paid for companion travel and tax indemnification and gross up payments (for more detail see Schedule J, Part III of the 990.  In addition:

    $344,860 was offered to the former CFO under a separation agreement whose terms are confidential.

    Payments were made to five employees under the non-qualified deferred compensation plan during the year:

    Michael C Canarios:  $23,877
    Ching-Hon Pui:  $289,585
    Mary Anna Quinn:  $275,360
    Leslie L Robison:  $286,030
    Elaine I Tuomanen:  $265,433

  59. Bob Simmers
    Oct 10 2019

    The salaries are a little below average for the positions and qualifications. I have been in the non-profit world for over 30 years, and if you think you can hire quality people on the cheap just because you’re a non-profit, you are clueless. A million dollar salary for a quality hospital CEO is very reasonable. If you speak with board members of a non-profit hospital the size of St Jude, ask them why they pay so much for executives. The answer is simple: because they have to.
    I have absolutely no connection to St Jude and have never been there.

  60. Doug A
    Oct 2 2019

    who couldn’t see this train wreck coming? Any time keen advertisers pledge that your tiny ($19/mo) donation is “for the children,” know that you’re likely being ripped off! Give to a local church, or a veteran association, not to shameful wealthy fundraising organization who are brilliant at shielding their wealth with small children begging you for money….WOW!

  61. Bob
    Sep 23 2019

    Are you kidding me ? Most flagrant fraud I have ever seen.

  62. bob
    Sep 23 2019

    Shameful greedy assholes

  63. Barbara Dobry
    Sep 20 2019

    These executives, including Marlo Thomas, should be ashamed of themselves! Of course, they deserve a salary, but what they do receive in compensation is totally outrageous. Their bank of billions of dollars could be well spent by contributing to Children’s hospitals all over the world. I would like to know how do these executives sleep at night????

  64. Randy Johnson
    Sep 8 2019

    It is totally outlandish how much these executives are making! Have these people no shame?
    I have made donations in the past, but no more. Most donors are blissfully unaware how much is going to compensate these individuals. Do any of them think that are truly worth that much? Gheez, I am positive you could find people who would do as good or better running the organization for a fraction of the cost they are paying these folks. Anytime an org (WalMart, Panda Express, etc.) or individual asks me to donate to St Jude’s, I ask them if they are aware of how much the CEO and others in leadership positions are making there and they are just flabbergasted. What a travesty! Obviously, they are not performing their duties out of love, but out of desire for their ridiculously high compensation. I think leaders in these positions should be compensated fairly, but this is beyond the pale. You would think that these people would want the bulk of the money going to help the children, not to line their own pockets.

  65. Kenneth E Hart
    Aug 30 2019

    Re: May 2019 original post : I have not contributed since this posting date , and have asked St Jude twice about Marlo Thomas’s salary , if applicable. To date I have never got an answer, just a phone number to call. My hope would be that she does not draw a salary, if she does, this would add to the frustration that myself and so many people are experiencing , with regard to salaries paid and the fact that Marlo’s estimated worth is 35 million .

  66. Duane Huddleston
    Aug 30 2019

    I recently came into a nice chunk of money. I “was” going to donate….but not now. Ya’ll are some dirty dogs. Sorry kids.

  67. Aug 19 2019

    Andy:
    1. Using executive compensation as a % of total contributions is not a very telling tool to understand executive compensation because the ratio will typically be very small and not meaningful. When analyzing specific expenses – especially executive compensation – the detail is important. If two executives were paid $1 million and $2 million and yet the organization raised $600 million a year, a viewer would know that the compensation of those two employees as a percentage of contributions is 0.5%. That ratio makes it look like their salaries are small and insignificant when in fact, they are very significant at a non-profit. When people see a million dollar(s) salary, they ask why (when they see a ratio, they don’t which may be why people like yourself and many non-profits like that ratio). Remember, the public has a right to know this information because the public is supporting these organizations.

    2. The retained income could be considered an investment in St. Jude’s future as a certain amount of the funds will be used for capital expansion. However, the retained income could also be considered a detriment to the many sick children who are not being helped. If an organization has $5 billion (which is more than it takes to run the hospital for years if contributions were zero), is it more important to expand services and help 250 sick children and their families or put another $250 million in savings? Again, you have to understand that historically ALSAC has only given St. Jude’s about $50 out of every $100 in revenues annually, spent $29 out of every $100 in revenue annually to raise revenue, and saved about $20 out of every $100 in revenue annually. This has resulted in huge increases in the net fund balance or what some people refer to as the endowment (the net fund balance was $2.4 billion 6 years ago and is now $5.3 billion). The question to ask is: When will more revenue be given to the hospital to expand services (and less revenue – hundreds of millions annually – to the endowment) to help more sick kids and their families?

    3. The best and the brightest are never the cheapest employees but we’re not just talking about doctors. We are addressing the executives and fundraisers in the organizations who are very well compensated (It is important to remember that ALSAC is the fundraising organization; not the medical provider or researcher). And, we are addressing contributions to retirement plans: hundreds of thousands of dollars paid annually to many highly compensated employees, along with paid companion travel and health and social club dues (as if these individuals cannot afford to pay their own health and social club dues which leads me to ask: is revenue better spent paying social or health club dues or helping a sick child?).

    4. You state “it” (who is it?) paid out $157 million from retained earnings? Where did you get that figure from? The topic of this post is executive compensation as reported on the Form 990 (2016) for the year ending June 30, 2017.

    Instead of accepting the status quo, how about raising your standards and expectations? They do good things but could do so much better. Raise the bar guy….it’s for the kids.

  68. Andy
    Aug 19 2019

    It’s pretty sad that charities have to pay their execs so much. However, it’s only 0.6% of total contributions. I can live with that if it means kids’ lives are saved. The retained income can be considered an investment in St. Jude’s future; it paid out $157+ million in one year! As far as St. Jude’s salaries go – we can assume the best and brightest medical staff aren’t the cheapest employees.

  69. Aug 6 2019

    Only the most highly compensated employees are listed.

  70. Lafawn Lasiter
    Aug 6 2019

    Why is Marlo’s yearly salary not shown? I’m stunned and very angry that salaries, private jets, club membership and other extravagant “things” are paid for by our donations! I gave to this organization for years and it’s nothing more than a scam to get money for their extravagant lifestyle.

  71. David rogers
    Jul 22 2019

    Guess I’ll stop donations . I need the money more than they do
    They are shameful

  72. JL
    Jul 7 2019

    I, like so many who have voiced disappointment, have always contributed to St. Jude’s. I thought of the children and thought I was helping them. I even sent donations when I was raising 7 children on my husband’s laborer salary. Now I am a recent widow and my income is even less. I cannot express the sadness I feel at learning of the extravagance of the salaries of the upper administrative personnel. I will no longer be donating.

  73. Jun 30 2019

    Many people don’t know about ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude’s. Most non-profits have three functions: raise money, fund their mission, and manage the mission (which are often referred to as fundraising, program services, and management and general expenses) – all of which are typically done collectively in a non-profit. St. Jude’s separated out the fundraising portion (ALSAC), which is why it is so important to look at the 990’s of both ALSAC and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

  74. JOHN D WRIGHT
    Jun 30 2019

    WHAT IS ALSAC-DOES ANY ONE ACTUAL KNOW ABOUT IT, THERE SHOULD BE A LAW THAT THE BOTTOM LINE SHOULD BE IN ALL AD’S– PEOPLE DONATE AND LESS THAN 50% GO TO ST. JUDE’S. THEY RAISED 1.5 BILLION AND ST JUDES ONLY RECEIVED 664 MILLION OUT OF IT. OVER THE LAST 40 PLUS YEARS I HAVE DONATED IN EXCESS OF$80,000(MAYBE NOT A LOT TO YOU BUT IT IS TO ME) TO ST. JUDES AND HAVE CONVINCED MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND EXPLOYEE TO DONATE. I BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR THESE PEOPLE. I SURE THAT DANNY HAS TURN OVER IN HIS GRAVE. NO MORE DONATES FROM ME

  75. Bill
    Jun 28 2019

    Looks like a nonprofit organization to me……..right!!!

  76. Ken Hart
    May 13 2019

    We have given faithfully to St Jude for many years now, and I have often shared with others that I feel St Jude is one of the best things we could support. After reviewing the executive and more significant salaries , I must let you know how very disappointed I am with this salary structure. It is very apparent to me that St Jude certainly does not need my support if they can in good conscious pay out these ridiculous salaries . I might also add that I was not able to find Marlo’s salary anywhere. With a posted net worth of 35 million , why would a salary even be considered? My heart goes out to each of the sick children that enter St Jude, but regretfully I cannot find it in my heart to support St Jude from this point on. What an eye opener .

  77. Apr 23 2019

    The 990 does not report this information.

  78. Kara La'shway
    Apr 23 2019

    I have to ask, how much does Marlo Thomas make per yr for her part in St. Jude’s Hospital Charity?

  79. Veronica Preuss
    Feb 20 2019

    I am astounded to see the compensation paid to your listed employees. I have been a donor for a long time but with this information my donation is unnecessary and won’t be happening again. I just retired , worked as an ER nurse for 30 years and left recently at 80 years of age . My yearly salary, working 12 hour shifts did not approximate $ 70,000but I always donated to ST jUDE THINKING I WAS HELPING pediatriac cancer patients . Now I see I contributed to a very expensive life style for your upper management employees. Also , there is nepotism.

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