Executive Compensation at the Anti-Defamation League (2021)

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.

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

ADL

There are 20 members (Directors) of the governing body (Board of Directors), 13 (65%) are male while 7 (35%) are female.

In 2021, ADL reported total revenue of $101 million, of which $10 million came from the foundation. The remaining revenue primarily came from contributions, gifts, and grants.

Expenses for ADL totaled $80 million (not including $2 million in depreciation).

Net assets were $30 million (compared to $16 million at the beginning of the year) because the organization spent less than they raised, even after a $6 million adjustment to net assets (primarily due to a provision for uncollectible contributions receivable and a net periodic benefit cost).

FOUNDATION

There are 43 trustees listed on the Form 990 for the Foundation; 34 (79%) are male while 9 (21%) are female.

The Foundation reported total revenue of $15 million , of which $10 million was granted to ADL (note: the foundation has consistently granted $10-$12 million annually to the ADL). Most revenue came from contributions, gifts, and grants.

Expenses totaled $15 million with $5 million spent primarily on compensation for the employees and investment management fees.

The Foundation started the year with $136 million in net assets but ended the year with $146 million because they spent less than they raised and because of net unrealized gains on investments.

COMPENSATION 

Compensation is the largest expense for the ADL who shares their employees with the Foundation.

The ADL has 501 employees  who were compensated $50 million in 2021 (an average compensation of $100,000), according to the Form 990 submitted to the IRS. However, it is important to note the Foundation had nearly $3 million in compensation expenses (but reported having “0” employees) so total compensation appears to be $53 million for the 501 employees, which makes the average compensation $106,000.

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

• $1,251,732:  Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director
• $  505,777:  Frederic Bloch, SVP Growth
• $  393,237:  Sonal Shah, Internal Consultant
• $  315,887:  Anat Kendall, SVP, Finance and Administration (thru 12/21)
• $  311,463:  Kenneth Jacobson, Deputy National Director
• $  303,386:  Eileen Hershenov, SVP, Policy
• $  302,537:  Steven Sheinberg, SVP and General Counsel
• $  296,523:  Thomas Ruderman, SVP, Talent and Knowledge
• $  285,605:  Emily Bromberg, Chief of Staff (thru 10/21)
• $  280,675:  Robert Trestan, Regional Director
• $  279,513:  Doron Ezickson, VP, East Division
• $  225,098:  Gregory Libertiny, Interim SVP, Finance and Admin (as of 12/21)
• $  186,838:  George Selim, SVP, Programs
• $  178,427:  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. Mr Foxman received the following compensation:

• 2021:  $81,275 (“0” hours per week)
• 2020:  $81,275 (“0” hours per week)
• 2019:  $95,375 (“0” hours per week)
• 2018:  $254,475 (“6” hours per week or about $5,000 per week)
• 2017:  $250,475 (“6” hours per week or about $5,000 per week)
• 2016:  $209,411 (“6” hours per week or about $4,000 per week)

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

The most highly compensated employee was Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and National Director who received $1,251,732.  From 2017-2021, Mr. Greenblatt received $6 million in compensation:

• 2021:  $1,251,732
• 2020:  $ 948,380
• 2019:  $  888,860
• 2018:  $  815,228
• 2017:  $  999,300

12 of the 15 (75%) most highly compensated employees are male while 3 of the 15 (25%) 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 had $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?

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

• $1,071,940:  CDR Fundraising Group, of Lanham, MD for fundraising services
• $  457,166:  Situation Interactive, of NY, NY for media
• $  186,104:  Kaizen Technologies, of Edison, NJ for temp services
• $  182,713:  Tru North Advisors, of Fairfield, CT for financial advisory
• $  144,000:  VRP Consulting, of San Francisco, CA for IT support

To read the IRS Form 990 (2021), click here.