Executive Compensation at the American Red Cross (2022)
When most people think of the American Red Cross (ARC), they often think of blood collection, testing, and distribution and/or disaster services – both domestic and international and in the most simplistic terms, this is what the ARC is about.
Formally known as the American National Red Cross (the organization is the designated affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies), ARC was established by Clara Barton in 1881 and given a charter by Congress in 1900 and again in 1905 to carry out humanitarian services. Since that time, the charter has been amended nine times, with the most recent in 2009 to address reforms to the organization.
In 2022, ARC raised $3.2 billion with most revenue ($1.9 billion) coming from the sale of biomedical services (i.e. blood and plasma collected through donations and sold) with the remaining revenue obtained primarily through contributions, gifts, and grants ($1.1 billion including $44 million from the government).
Although contributions, gifts, and grants only comprised 34% of total revenue (or $1.1 billion), it is important to remember the revenue stream of biomedical services is dependent upon donations (i.e. blood and plasma) so although one donation is tax-deductible (revenue) and the other isn’t (blood), donors and potential donors still need to understand where revenue comes from and how dollars are spent.
Expenses totaled $3 billion with the largest expense reported to be compensation (salaries, pension, benefits, and payroll taxes). 17,106 employees (800 less than in 2021) received $1.7 billion (about $350 million more than in 2021) or an average compensation of $100,000.
The 15 most highly compensated employees were reported to be:
- $832,241: Gail McGovern, President and CEO
- $732,793: Clifford Holtz, Chief Operating Officer
- $717,023: Chris Hrouda, President, Biomedical Services
- $679,502: Shaun Gilmore, Chief Transformation Officer
- $594,976: Brian Rhoa, CFO
- $515,707: Paul Sullivan, SVP, Donor Services
- $476,166: Phyllis Harris, General Counsel
- $462,762: Melissa Hurst, Chief HR Officer
- $445,723: Don Herring, Chief Development Officer
- $437,875: Jack McMaster, President, Training Services
- $430,148: Peter Giamalva, SVP, Biomedical Sales and Marketing
- $413,683: Harvey Johnson, President, Humanitarian Services
- $410,055: Rosemary McGillian, Chief Marketing /Communications Officer
- $319,600: Trevor Riggen, President, Humanitarian Services
- $307,093: Jennifer Hawkins, Corp Secretary and Chief of Staff
As illustrated above, the 15 most highly compensated employees received nearly $8 million in compensation. 10 of the 15 (67%) most highly compensated employees are male while 5 of the 15 (33%) are female (note: gender is not reported on the Form 990; gender determinations were made based on name and google searches). Interestingly, there are 14 voting members (board members) of the governing body, 13 of whom are independent, although 16 are listed on the Form 990 (due to timing differences): 12 (75%) are male while 4 (25%) are female.
The 5 most highly compensated employees received nearly $20 million in compensation from 2017-2022:
Gail McGovern: Total Compensation 2017-2022: $4.2 million
- 2022: $832,241
- 2021: $640,483
- 2020: $750,823
- 2019: $709.164
- 2018: $686,352
- 2017: $621,956
Clifford Holtz: Total Compensation 2017-2022: $4 million
- 2022: $732,793
- 2021: $781,120
- 2020: $736,924
- 2019: $700,415
- 2018: $558,926
- 2017: $485,335
Chris Hrouda: Total Compensation 2017-2022: $4 million
- 2022: $717,023
- 2021: $751,789
- 2020: $685,404
- 2019: $642,142
- 2018: $574,246
- 2017: $593,459
Shaun Gilmore: Total Compensation 2017-2022: $4 million
- 2022: $679,502
- 2021: $723,696
- 2020: $656,912
- 2019: $651,238
- 2018: $578,599
- 2017: $635,902
Brian Rhoa: Total Compensation 2017-2022: $3.3 million
- 2022: $594,976
- 2021: $629,954
- 2020: $574,028
- 2019: $509,225
- 2018: $500,967
- 2017: $512,424
369 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five (5) most highly compensated reported to be:
- $16 million: Dropoff Inc, of Austin, TX for courier services
- $15 million: One & All, of Pasadena, CA for printing and mailing
- $11 million: Generator Media Analytics, of NY, NY for marketing
- $10 million: Mindtree, of Warren, NJ for consulting
- $ 6 million: Servicemaster, of Memphis, TN for building services
To read the IRS Form 990 (for the year ending June 30, 2022), click here.
Comments are closed.
Paddock Post 
How about you learn to read before you make incorrect comments. You obviously didn’t read the post because the post reported the information the American Red Cross submitted to the IRS on the Form 990. There is not one criticism in the post. The facts are the facts. Read before you comment.
How about you get a little education on this subject before you criticize it? You have absolutely no idea how much work it takes to make sure the Red Cross is compliant with the FDA and other governing agencies. Please don’t EVER think these people are over paid and don’t do anything. I personally know of some CEOs working for a nonprofit that are making MILLIONS, plus a lot of perks. Please check your facts before you start spewing negative comments.
You’re joking, right?
Compare these salaries to other nonprofit organizations. The other organizations double these amounts and serve a more focused client. They should probably raise these salaries to compete for topnotch executives.
this terrible!! Nonprofit making that amount of money!! I was actually called to seenwe would increase our donation by $9, $11, $20 or more!!! American people need to wake up and stop the money donations until there salaries/compensations become realistic. I’ll sill donate blood but, we are giving to local charities where know the help is truly making a difference locally.
Thank you for that information. I knew it was bad but not that ridiculous. I bet the average American who donates to the Red Cross doesn’t know this.
This is why I always check the facts when I donate.
Sadly, these comments are true. ARC has lost its focus. Especially when all ideas changes must be approved from National.
This is Truely a problem that American DONORS need to consider!!! How we give our Hard-earned Money to organized NON-PROFIT money bleeding companies…There are no Rewards any more to make me feel better when i take 2 plus hours out of my life to give money or Blood/Platelets! I was told they didn’t have funds to purchase tee shirts or red cross stick pins to hand out. So how much money does it take to give Tee Shirts that should be made IN AMERICA to those who take 2 hours out of their personal time to Donate Platelets …… So, the Question to the people that DONATE. How much MONEY should upper management make at a non-profit organization…? Why does UPPER Management employees think they deserve the salaries they make for a nonprofit organization!!!!
Is it not true that the Red Cross gives funds to the United Nations and they give funds to UNRWA which in turn gives aid to the Palestine area that harbor Hamas? Hamas has tunnels under hospitals and schools and residential homes and stores weapons there with their knowledge. Drs. and hospital employees have been associated with Hamas and some employed by Hamas as some have been found deceased while assaulting Israelis. The aid that is sent to Gaza is hijacked by Hamas and sold to the refugees. Some refugees have been caught by Hamas and shoot them in their legs and some shot dead. Tell me this is a lie and you’re lying yourself.
We all think the Red Cross does a good job helping people in distress… When you make a donation to the Red Cross please keep in mind how much of each dollar you donate actually goes to the the people in need… And how much goes to the CEO’s etc…
You might consider donating directly to organizations that actually provide the most services to the people in need….
what do these people bring to the table w/these insanely over-priced salaries?? Feeding off the kindness of fellow Americans wanting to help those in their weakest moments …
DISGRACEFUL!!!
i will not contribute to their lavish life.
But sir? These, not only one or two, but the so many of these “ridiculously highly” paid workers, must indeed be V.V.E.I.P.’s?
Certainly these are Very.Very.Especially.Important.Peoples. compared to my
grief-stricken fellow human souls waiting for them to reach down to them?
(Can anyone in media splash this news, so other fellow humans can offer their own charity to organizations elsewhere?)
Sickening.
the salaries of these people are ridiculously high !!! its a freaking non profit organization that depends on the American people to donate money to keep them able to work. the fact that the top 15 employees, who are executives, meaning they don’t really do ANY work, get paid almost 8 MILLION DOLLARS a year !!!!