Executive Compensation at Feed the Children (2023)

Feed the Children (FTC) is a tax-exempt non-profit 501 (c) (3) based in Oklahoma City, OK.  Established in 1979, FTC is primarily engaged in obtaining and distributing food, medicine, and clothing to those in need through grants, primarily to non-profits in the USA.

FTC is governed by 12 independent voting members (directors) of the governing body (Board of Directors);  8 (67%) of whom are male and 4 (33%) whom are female.

In 2023, FTC reported total revenue of $502 million (about $114 million more than in 2022).  Most revenue (89%)  – $445 million – were non-cash contributions. The $57 million in cash revenue came from contributions ($48 million), grants from the gov’t ($4 million) and other income ($5 million).

In 2023, FTC collected $57 million in cash contributions, gifts, and grants and gains/investment income and spent $42 million on organization expenses and $10 million on cash grants,  leaving $5 million allocated to net assets (note:  an additional $5 million in non-cash contributions was also allocated to the general fund thereby increasing net assets).

Of the $42 million in organization expenses, $18 million was used to compensate the 227 employees (an average of $79,000).

39 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 13 most highly compensated employees reported to be:

• $444,390:  Travis Arnold, Director, CEO
• $355,953:  Bregeita Jefferson, Chief International Operations Officer
• $345,862:  Greg Garen, FCTC President
• $244,822:  Gary Sloan, COO
• $242,123:  Christy Tharp, CFO
• $234,488:  Becky Graninger, Chief Development and Marketing Officer (until 6/3/22)
• $226,882:  Mike Panas, CIO
• $217,141:  Colleen Ridenhour, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer
• $217,050:  Bob Thomas, CAO
• $168,512:  Brian Hutchens, VP, Direct Response Fundraising
• $166,744:  David Walters, VP, Development
• $162,336:  Rick Ross, VP, Corporate Partnerships
• $152,051:  Jackie Tyron-Livingston, SVP, International Operations and Compliance

8 of the 13 (62%) most highly compensated employees are male while 5 of the 13 (38%) are female.

The most highly compensated employee was Travis Arnold, the Director and CEO who received $444,390 followed by Bregeita Jefferson who received $355,953 in 2023.  These two employees received $3 million in compensation from 2018-2023:

Travis Arnold:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $2 million

• 2023:  $444,390
• 2022:  $427,661
• 2021:  $381,792
• 2020:  $376,823
• 2019:  $397,019
• 2018:  $367,314

Bregeita Jefferson:  Total Compensation 2020-2023:  $1 million

• 2023:  $355,953
• 2022:  $277,377
• 2021:  $235,600
• 2020:  $221,887

9 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 5 most highly compensated listed below:

• 327,877:  BDO USA, of Dallas, TX for professional services
• $252,213;  Accenture, of Chicago, IL for Chicago, IL
• $244,598  Mark Weimer, PC, of Oklahoma City, OK, for legal services
• $242,755;  Total Benefit Solutions, of Lubbock, TX for payroll services
• $568,031:  Adstra, LLC, of Pittsburgh, PA, for list acquisition services

It is important to note FTC paid $270,000 to Jordan Associates, a brand and marketing firm that a board member owns more than 35%, for services, but Jordan Associates is not listed above for an unknown reason.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2022 for the year ending June 30, 2023), click here.