
Executive Compensation at Memorial Hermann Health (2020)
Memorial Hermann Health System (MHHS) is a Houston-based tax-exempt, non-profit healthcare provider with more than 29,000 employees and 6,000 physicians that serve in 17 hospitals (14 that the organization owns and 3 in which they have joint ventures) and nearly 300 care delivery sites in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area.
MHHS consists of many organizations (non-profits, corporations, trusts, and partnerships) but for the purpose of this post, the executive compensation reported on MHHS – a 501 (c) (3) – is addressed. Read more

Executive Compensation at the National Geographic Society (2020)
When we think of the National Geographic Society (NGS), we often think of the magazine, which according to my childhood friends, was the first magazine they could look through to see naked people. But, the National Geographic Society is so much more than just the magazine. In their own words, they “identify and invest in an international community of explorers: leading scientists, educators, storytellers, conservationists, technologists, and many other change makers who help us define some of the critical challenges of our time….”
The NGS is a tax-exempt non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization based in Washington, DC that primarily relies on investment income (gains on the sale of investments, dividends, interest, etc), royalties, and contributions for revenue. With $1.6 billion in net assets, NGS has the ability to rely on these resources to keep their programs going when contributions, gifts, and grants (roughly $20-$30 million annually) are not enough, and when revenue greatly decreases due to unforeseen circumstances, like the pandemic in 2020. Read more

Executive Compensation at St Jude (2021)
When people think of St. Jude’s, they often associate the organization with the children’s research hospital but St Jude’s is actually two organizations:
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (St Jude): the 77-bed children’s hospital that provides research and medical care; and
- American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC): the fundraising arm; an organization that exists to raise funds for St. Jude’s
Although most non-profits do not separate fundraising from services, St. Jude’s does, so both organizations need to be analyzed because St. Jude’s relies on ALSAC for the majority of it’s revenue and has a beneficial interest in the organization. Read more

Where Does $100 to St Jude Go (2021)?
St. Jude’s is one of the most popular non-profit organizations in the country because the charity’s mission appeals to donors: they treat and help children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. But, before making donations, donors should understand where revenue is spent and that St. Jude’s is actually two organizations:
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (St. Jude) – the 77-bed hospital and research center
- American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC) – the fundraiser
ALSAC “exists for the sole purpose of raising funds and building awareness to support the current and future needs of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc” while St. Jude engages in research and provides care and services to sick children and their families.
St. Jude has a beneficial interest in the assets of ALSAC but the organizations are separate non-profit 501 (c)(3) entities with specific functions: ALSAC raises funds while St. Jude does the research and provides the treatment.
So, where does a $100 donation go? The quick answer is that $42 went to the hospital (although they only spent $34 of that $42 putting the remaining $8 in savings), $26 to organization fundraising expenses, and $32 into savings. For more detail, read on.

Executive Compensation at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (4) who advocates on behalf of its members (estimated to be 280,000) to “protect your freedom to fly.” Based in Frederick, Maryland, AOPA has 12 voting members (trustees), 11 of whom are independent, in its governing body, 11 of whom are male and 1 is a female.
AOPA reported the following key information on the Form 990 (2020): Read more

Executive Compensation at the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a trade association for the world’s airlines, representing nearly 300 airlines or about 85% of total air traffic. A tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (6), IATA is based in Washington, DC with 9 independent voting members (directors) of the governing body (Board of Governors, all of whom are male.
IATA is also known as Airlines For America and A4A. Read more

Executive Compensation at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (2019)
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (6) – a “business organization” – whose purpose is to increase demand and profits for cattle and beef producers. To do this, members (many of whom are cattle owners) pay dues (based on the number of heads of cattle) starting at $150 to over $2,000 annually (although each cattle owning member has only 1 vote no matter how many head of cattle he/she owns). In addition, the NCBA also has non-voting members who pay $50-$200 annually to belong to the association. Read more

Executive Compensation at the Cruise Lines International Association
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a Washington, DC-based tax-exempt, non-profit 50 (c) 6 (a trade association) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association with a worldwide reach to promote the interests of the cruise industry.
There are 27 independent voting members (board members) of the governing body (board), 24 (89%) of whom are male; 3 (11%) are female.
CLIA, as measured by revenue, is a small trade association. Over the past 5 years, the organization has raised $25-$30 million annually, most of which comes from membership dues. Expenses have typically matched revenue or been slightly below revenue (allowing the organization to accumulate a small amount – $6 million – of net assets. Read more