Executive Compensation at the Carter Center

The Carter Center was established in 1981 as a 501 (c) (3) based in Atlanta, Georgia. With $767 million in net fund assets, the Carter Center is a well-endowed organization that focuses on public health and human rights.

In 2017, the Carter Center had 263 employees who were compensated $35 million, which equates to an average compensation of $134,000. However, the IRS Form 990 reports that just 36 individuals received more than $100,000 in compensation. The 11 most highly compensated individuals are listed as follows:

• $372,554:  Mary Ann Peters, President and CEO
• $276,434:  Jordan Dimik Ryan, VP Peace Programs
• $257,207:  Frank O Richards, Jr, Director, Health Programs
• $238,907:  Phillip J Wise, Secretary, VP Operations
• $236,242:  P Craig Withers, Director, Health Programs
• $227,241: Christopher Brown, Treasurer, VP Finance
• $210,177:  Seema N Shams, Chief Development Officer
• $196,145:  Thomas H Borneman, Director, Mental Health Fund
• $194,177:  Stephen Blount, Director, Health Programs
• $163,942:  Donald R Hopkins, Special Adv – Health Programs
• $163,756:  Dean Sienko, VP Health Programs

As illustrated above, 9 of the most highly compensated individuals (82%) were male while 2 (18%) were female.

The 990 reports that first class or charter travel and travel for companions was provided to employees. An explanation states it was part of a “Carter weekend” where President Carter and other key personnel and their companions were flown to the destination on a donated charter flight.

Rebecca Carter, the spouse of a child of a board member was compensated $103,982 as an employee of the foundation.

The five highest paid independent contractors were:

• $2,000,045:  Kyne Communications of Dublin, Ireland for public relations.
• $  664,638:  King & Spalding of Atlanta, Georgia for legal services.
• $  601,380:  Ansar, Inc. of Thompson Station, Tennessee for mailshop services.
• $  550,558:  Proof of the Pudding of Atlanta, Georgia for events/catering.
• $  381,400:  KPMG LLP of Atlanta, Georgia for audit/tax services.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2016) for the year ending August 31, 2017, click here.