Executive Compensation at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) 2020

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 established in 1913 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 26 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 whom 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.

There are 17 members (directors) of the governing body, 16 of whom are independent. The most recent Form 990 (2020) lists 12 directors, 8 (67%) of whom are male; 4 (33%) of whom are female (note: the Form 990 does not report gender; determinations were made based on name and google searches).

Key information about ADL and the Foundation are summarized as follows:

In 2020, ADL reported total revenue of $91 million (compared to $92 million in 2019), of which $12 million came from the foundation. The remaining revenue primarily came from contributions, gifts, and grants. Expenses for ADL totaled $70 million. Net assets were $16 million (compared to $4 million at the beginning of the year) because the organization spent less than they raised,, even after a $9 million adjustment to net assets (explained as a book-tax difference)

The Foundation reported total revenue of $36 million (compared to $23 million in 2019 and $18 million in 2018), of which $12 million was given to ADL (note: the foundation has consistently granted $12 million annually to the ADL). Most revenue came from contributions, gifts, and grants. Expenses totaled $18 million with $6 million spent primarily on compensation for the employees and office-related expenses.

The foundation started the year with $113 million in net assets but ended the year with $136 million because they spent less than they raised and because of net unrealized gains on investments.  Of the 41 trustees listed on the Form 990, 33 (80%) are male while 8 (20%) are female.

For both organizations, the largest expense is compensation for their employees, many of whom are shared.

The ADL has 439 employees (compared to 496 in 2019)  who were compensated $47 million in 2020 (an average compensation of $108,000), according to the Form 990 submitted to the IRS. However, it is important to note the Foundation had nearly $4 million in compensation expenses (but reported having “0” employees) they also reported having the same 485 employees) so total compensation appears to be $51 million for the 439 employees, which makes the average compensation $116,000.

139 employees received more than $100,000 in total compensation with the 15 most highly compensated employees listed below:

• $948,380:  Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director
• $487,789:  Frederic Bloch, SVP Growth
• $438,696:  Amanda Susskind, Regional Director (thru 7/20)**
• $359,250:  Beth M Katznelson, Director, National Partnerships (thru 9/20)**
• $323,918:  Emily Bromberg, Chief of Staff
• $311,646:  Anat Kendall, SVP, Finance and Administration
• $308,641:  Steven Sheinberg, SVP and General Counsel
• $305,990:  Robert Trestan, Regional Director
• $303,465:  Thomas Ruderman, SVP, Talent and Knowledge
• $298,834:  Eileen Hershenov, SVP, Policy
• $295,572:  Seth Brysk, Regional Director
• $283,550:  Beth Nathanson, VP, Strategic Partnerships
• $248,514:  George Selim, SVP, Programs
• $194,550:  Clifford Schechter, Sr Advisor to the CEO
• $ 81,275:  Abraham Foxman, National Director Emeritus*

“*” Mr. Foxman was the national director of the ADL from 1987 to 2015 and is a former employee and worked 0 hours in 2020. In 2019 Mr. Foxman received $95,375 (for 0 hours per week); in 2018 Mr. Foxman received $254,475 for 6 hours of work per week (or about $5,000/week)  with ADL and the foundation; in 2017 Mr. Foxman received $250,475 for 6 hours of work per week (or about $5,000/week); and in 2016 Mr. Foxman received $209,411 for 6 hours of work per week (or about $4,000/week).  See the Form 990 (2020), Schedule J, Part III, Supplemental Information for more detail on this expense.

“**” indicates a portion of compensation was severance payments

10 of the 15 (67%) most highly compensated employees are male while 5 of the 10 (33%) are female (note: determinations were made based on name and google searches).

ADL paid for first class or charter travel and travel for companions with no details provided.

ADL paid for health or social club dues or initiation fees. Specifically, the ADL provided reimbursement to Mr. Greenblatt for gym membership fees.

ADL received a $7.4 million loan for the paycheck protection program to pay for “payroll, rent and utilities (even though ADL raised $91 million in 2020 and spent $70 million, leaving $21 million to be added to the general fund).  In May, 2021, ADL applied for forgiveness of the loan and was grated forgiveness in July, 2021.  Why did the ADL, who spent $21 million less than they raised AND has $16 million in net assets, receive a $7.4 million from the government via a loan they didn’t need and then have it forgiven?

10 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation in 2020. The five (5) most highly compensated were reported to be:

• $267,157:  Kaizen Technologies, of Edison, NJ for temp services
• $209,898:  O’Brian Garrett, of Washington, DC for fundraising services
• $197,000:  VRP Consulting, of San Francisco, CA for IT support
• $181,875:  Tru North Advisors, of Fairfield, CT for financial advisory
• $166,696:  Erin Malone, of San Francisco, CA for UX Design/Research

To read the IRS Form 990 (2020), click here.