Executive Compensation at the American Lung Association (2020)

The American Lung Association is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (3) that focuses on preventing lung disease and improving lung health by providing program services (education and advocacy to the public (research grants comprise about 10% of expenses).

There are 17 independent members (directors) of the governing body (board of directors), although the Form 990 lists 19 directors, which appears to be due to timing differences.  12 of the 19 (63%) directors are male while 7 of the 19 (37%) are female (note:  gender identity is not reported on the Form 990; conclusions were made based on name and google searches).

In 2017, the American Lung Association (ALA) underwent big changes when the eight charter and national boards voted to unite the organization into a single nationwide organization based in Chicago, Illinois.

In 2020, the ALA raised about $104 million (compared to $113 million in 2019 and $108 million in 2018) most of which came from contributions, gifts and grants (including $27 million in grants from the government).  The organization spent $106 million (primarily on compensation, fees for services, direct mail, and office-related expenses), and had about $143 million in net fund assets (think savings account) at year-end.

The ALA reported having 774 employees in 2020 (compared to 626 employees in 2018) who were compensated $45 million, which equates to an average compensation  of$58,000 (compared to $74,500 in 2018).  62 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation (compared to 30 in 2018) with the 9 most highly compensated employees listed below:

• $553,456:  Harold Wimmer, President and CEO
• $289,153:  Laura Scott, CFO
• $284,861:  Lewis Bartfield, Chief Division Officer, WE
• $282,620:  Jeff Seyler, Chief Division Officer, EA
• $281,345:  William Pfeifer, EVP, Governance
• $271,490:  Martha Bogdan, EVP, Employee Relations
• $269,953:  Julia Fitzgerald, Chief Marketing Officer
• $262,918:  Deborah Brown, Chief Mission Officer
• $258,323:  Sue Swan, Chief Development Officer

It is important to note the Form 990 lists the total compensation for the 9 employees above also as deferred income in a prior filing.

5 of the 9 (56%) most highly compensated employees are female while 4 of the 9 (44%) are male.

Harold Wimmer received $19,500 from a 457 (f) plan.

Lewis Bartfield received $1,922 from a 457 (f) plan.

112 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation. The 5 most highly compensated were reported to be:

• $4.4 million:  Production Solutions, of Vienna, VA for marketing
• $2.6 million:  R R Donnelly, of De Pere, WI for supply chain management
• $2.4 million:  AD Council, of NY, NY for public service advertising
• $1.5 million:  Brickmill Marketing Services, of Milford, NH for marketing
• $1.3 million:  PHMC, of Philadelphia, PA for public health consulting

To read the IRS Form 990 (2019 for the year ending June 30, 2020), click here.