Executive Compensation at ALS (2018)

The ALS Association (ALSA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) based in Washington, DC whose mission is “to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through research, advocacy, and care services.” Prior to 2014, ALSA raised about $20 million annually, allocated about $7 million to grants, and had about $20 million in net fund assets (which is also referred to as the endowment).

When the Ice Challenge went viral in 2014, ALSA received $115 million, a windfall for the organization that was primarily used to strengthen the endowment but to also increase grants awarded since research grants are key to understanding ALS in hopes of preventing, treating and curing the disease.

Since 2014 and subsequent to the Ice Challenge, ALSA has raised about $25-$30 million annually and allocated about $20 million annually to grants and about $10-$15 million to other expenses.  The net result has been the erosion of the endowment from $120 million in 2014 to $90 million in 2018.  There has not been significant investment income or gains on the sale of assets to offset the “overspending.”

ALSA reports having 106 employees in 2018 who were compensated $9 million, which equates to an average compensation of $85,000.  The 11 most highly compensated employees were reported to be:

• $312,711:  Calaneet Balas, President and CEO
• $242,891:  Greg Mitchell, EVP Finance and Administration
• $224,512:  Lance Slaughter, EVP Chapter Relations and Governance
• $205,203:  Brian Frederick, EVP Communications
• $200,034:  Kimberly Harding-MaGinnis, SVP Care Services
• $187,629:  Tina Zeff, EVP Development
• $178,060:  Kathleen Sheehan, Public Policy and Advocacy
• $164,766:  Teressa Harris, VP Finance
• $149,169:  Lyles Eddins, VP Development
• $148,986:  Monica Santa Cruz, VP Human Relations and Talent Manager
• $148,207:  Mary Bruney, VP Chapter Relations (until 8/18)

3 of the 8 most highly compensated employees are male while 5 are female. The most highly compensated employee is a female.

It is important to note incentive bonuses accrued in 2018 were paid in May, 2019 so the sums are not reflected on the list above. Instead, these bonuses will show on the 2019 Form 990.

ALSA did not pay for first class or charter travel, companion travel, housing, personal services, health or social club dues or provide tax indemnification or gross up payments.

4 organizations were compensated more than $100,000:

• $366,000:  NNE Marketing of Lexington, MA for direct marketing services
• $290,000:  Lucy Bruijn of Chugiak, AK for scientific officer research Oversight
• $118,750:  Drum-U Marketing of New York, NY for marketing consulting services
• $113,600:  Threespot Media of Washington, DC for marketing consulting services

To read the IRS Form 990 (2018) for the year ending January 31, 2019, click here.