Executive Compensation at the ASPCA (2023)

The ASPCA is a non-profit tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) based in New York City, New York. As such, the organization submits a Form 990 to the IRS annually and makes a copy available to the public. The most recent IRS Form 990 (2023) reports the ASPCA:

• Raised $379 million in 2023,  mostly through contributions, gifts, and grants
• Spent $355 million in 2023, allotting $24 million to the general fund
• Had $553 million in net assets as of year-end 2023
• Spent $151 million (29% of revenue) to compensate the 1,432 staff
• Spent more than half of revenue ($213 million) on staff, office-related expenses, and travel and conferences
• Spent $61 million on advertising and promotion (does not include professional fundraisers)
• Spent $16 million on veterinary medical services and operating supplies
• Spent $7 million on grants to other animal rights organizations

In terms of compensation, the average compensation was $105,000 ($151 million/1,432 staff). The 14 most highly compensated employees were:

• $1,203,267:  Matt Bershadker, President and CEO
• $  559,962:  Todd Hendricks, SVP, Development
• $  524,912:  Elizabeth Estroff, SVP, Communications
• $  514,538:  Bert Troughton, SVP, Shelter and Veterinary Services
• $  505,139:  Beverly Jones, SVP, Chief Legal Officer
• $  507,108:  Cheryl Bucci, SVP, Ops and People
• $  510,079:  Stacy Wolf, SVP, Policy, Response, and Engagement
• $ 482,289:  Gordon Lavelette, SVP, CFO (as of 3/15/2021)
• $  414,859:  J’Mai Gayle, Director, Surgery
• $  333,102:  Luke Franklin, VP, Membership
• $  359,131:  Camille Declementi, VP, ASPCA Animal Hospital
• $  330,383:  Jennifer Chin, VP, Legal Advocacy/Investing
• $ 327,597:  Amy Berkowitz, VP, Information Technology
• $ 316,838:  Erin Demico, VP, People

As illustrated above, the 14 most highly compensated employees received nearly $7 million in compensation.  9 of the 14 (64%) most highly compensated employees are female while 5 of the 14 (36%) are male.

The most highly compensated employee was Matt Bershadker, the President and CEO who received $1,203,267 in 2023.  From 2017-2023 , Mr. Bershadker received $7 million in compensation:

Matt Berdshadker:  Total Compensation 2017-2023:  $7 million

• 2023:  $1,203,267
• 2022:  $1,117,171
• 2021:  $  990,525
• 2020:  $  966,004
• 2019:  $  824,539
• 2018:  $  769,526
• 2017:  $  852,231

In 2020, the ASPCA adopted a 457 (F) Deferred Compensation Plan for the President/CEO.  The plan accrues an annual employer-provided amount of $50,000 that is vested after a 5-year employment term, at which point the plan renews in 5-year increments conditioned on continuous employment.

138 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation. The five most highly compensated were reported to be:

• $29 million:  Eagle-Com, Inc, of Toronto, Canada for “donor acquisition”
• $18 million:  Laughlin Constable, Inc, of Milwaukee, WI on “donor engagement”
• $18 million:  Ascenta Group, of NY, NY for “donor acquisition”
• $ 5 million:  SMS Direct, of Manassas, VA for “donor acquisition”
• $ 8  million:  Google, of San Francisco, CA for “donor acquisition”

As illustrated above, the ASPCA spent $78 million on fundraising with just the 5 most highly compensated independent organizations.

In summary, the ASPCA raised $379 million and spent $355 million in 2023 with the largest expense reported to be compensation.  1,432 employees received $151 million in compensation with the 14 most highly compensated employees receiving $7 million.  During this same period (2023), the ASPCA spent $16 million on veterinary care and operating supplies and $7 million on grants, primarily to other non-profits while spending at least $78 million on donor acquisition/engagement (fundraising).

To read the IRS Form 990 (2023), click here.