Executive Compensation at the Anti-Defamation League (2017)

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is a charitable tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 established in 1946 in the District of Columbia to defend “democratic ideals and eliminate anti-Semitism and bigotry in the United States and around the world, while providing knowledgeable leadership on a national level for the American Jewish community.”

Based in New York City, the ADL has staff in 27 offices nationwide.  It is important to point out the ADL really consists of two entities:  the ADL and the Anti-Defamation League Foundation (Foundation) – both of which operate out of the same office in New York City.  The Foundation helps support the mission of the ADL by providing funds and by managing the endowment and assets held by the Foundation. In addition, the organizations share many employees.

ADL

The ADL has 431 employees who were compensated $37.9 million in 2017 (an average compensation of $88,000), according to the Form 990 submitted to the IRS. 99 employees received more than $100,000 in total compensation with the 14 most highly compensated employees listed below:

• $999,298:  Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO/National Director ($499,649 from the Foundation)
• $521,077:  Deborah Gayle Lauter, SVP Policy and Programs
• $513,639:  Clifford Schechter, Senior Advisor to CEO ($75,392 from the Foundation)
• $404,394:  Frederic Bloch, SVP Groth ($161,759 from the Foundation)
• $294,868:  Michael A Kellman, SVP, Finance and Administration ($117,947 from the Foundation)
• $289,194:  Stacy M Burdett, VP Gov’t Relations
• $282,370:  Steven Carl Sheinberg, Gen Counsel and SVP Privacy ($141,186 from the Foundation)
• $277,944:  Evan Bernstein, NY Regional Director
• $272,730:  David S Waren, VP Education
• $262,082:  Lonnie Jay Nasatir, Chicago Regional Director
• $258,449:  Seth Brysk, San Francisco Regional Director
• $257,199:  Kenneth Jacobson, Deputy National Director
• $250,475:  Abraham H Foxman, National Director Emeritus ($84,600 from the Foundation)
• $240,088:  Thomas W Ruderman, SVP Talent and Knowledge

As illustrated above, 12 of the 14 most highly compensated employees (86%) are male, while 2 are female (14%).

The IRS Form 990 also reports the following information:

• The ADL pays for first class or charter travel.
• The ADL pays for travel for companions.
• The ADL states that “during the year, payments were made to certain individuals listed in the Form 990,Part VII, Section A pursuant to separation agreements. In order to protect the confidentiality as set forth i the agreements, the names are not disclosed.”
• In 2012, ADL and the Foundation finalized a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) benefit for Abraham H Foxman.  This retirement benefit is paid out over time. $148,517 wa paid during the year ending December 31, 2017 and the remaining benefit is included in the long-term pension obligations on ADL’s balance sheet. It is also important to note ADL has a $27 million liability for long term pension obligations on its balance sheet, which is one of the reasons ADL is in a negative net asset position (-$7 million).
• A one-time performance bonus was paid to 7 officers, total amounting to $260,692.
• $106,875 was paid to Bluecadet for web strategy.  Josh Goldblum is founder and principal shareholder and CEO of Bluecadet. Josh Goldblum is the son of National Commissions Jane and Joseph Goldblum.

FOUNDATION

The Foundation has 23 employees who were compensated $4 million, which equates to an average compensation of $174,000.  However, only 8 employees received more than $100,000 in total compensation (because a portion of their compensation was paid by ADL). The 10 most highly compensated employees were reported to be:

• $999,298:  Jonathan Greenblatt, Trustee ($499,649 from ADL)
• $404,394:  Frederic Bloch, Trustee ($242,635 from ADL)
• $294,868:  Michael A Kellman, Asst Treasurer/Executive Director ($176,921 from ADL)
• $286,300:  Linda S Zisk, Sr Director Phil Engagement ($143,150 from ADL)
• $282,370:  Steven C Sheinberg, Assistant Secretary ($141,184 from ADL)
• $250,475:  Abraham H Foxman, National Director Emeritus ADL ($165,875 from ADL)
• $209,287:  Margo A Howard, Regional Development Director (ADL) ($177,893 from ADL)
• $207,565:  Rafail Portnoy, SVP Technology (ADL) ($199,139 from ADL)
• $203,408:  Emily D Bromberg, Chief of Staff (ADL) ($172,896 from ADL)
• $180,979:  Amy A Blumkin, VP Brand and Marketing (ADL) ($153,833 from ADL)

As illustrated above, 6 out of the 10 (60%) most highly compensated employees are male while 4 out of the ten (40%) are female.

The IRS Form 990 also reports the following information:

• The Foundation pays for first class or charter travel.
• The Foundation pays for companion travel.
• Jonathan Greenblatt, a trustee and the most highly compensated employee at the Foundation, was provided with a relocation loan of $150,000 when he was named CEO of ADL and before he was named a trustee of the Foundation. The balance due was $73,142 although the 990 reports that by the time the 990 was filed, the balance was zero.
• One time performance bonuses were paid to Jonathan Greenblatt in the amount  of $135,192; Frederic Bloch in the amount of $37,500; Linda Zisk in the amount of $18,500; Steven Sheinberg in the amount of $40,000, and Rafail Portnoy in the amount of $12,500.

CONCLUSION

The ADL and the Foundation are two separate non-profit organizations that are related and based in New York City at the same address.  Although the Foundation helps support ADL by providing revenue, the Foundation is also focused on managing the $106 million in assets.  The ADL has a $27 million liability for long term pension obligations on its balance sheet, which is one of the reasons ADL is in a negative net asset position (-$7 million). This could be eliminated if ADL reduced its operating expenses in the future or obtained additional funds from the Foundation.

That 86% of the most highly compensated employees at ADL are male is worth noting. In addition, it is worth noting the total compensation for Jonathan Greenblatt increased from about $580,000 the previous year to about $1 million in 2017.  And, finally it is notable that both organizations pay for first class or charter travel, which is often inconsistent with how revenue should be spent at a non-profit.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2017) for ADL, click here.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2017) for the Foundation, click here.