Executive Compensation at Wounded Warrior (2024)

The Wounded Warrior Project is one of the most well-known tax-exempt non-profit charitable organizations focused on rebuilding the lives of wounded veterans. Established in 2003, the Wounded Warrior Project (Wounded Warrior) is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida with about 1,000 employees. A 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, their mission is to “honor and empower wounded warriors.”

There are 14 independent voting members (directors) of the governing body although 16 are listed on the most recent Form 990;   8 directors are male and 8 are female.

Key factors to know about Wounded Warrior include:

• In 2024, Wounded Warrior reported total revenue of $385 million (compared to $349 million in 2023, $402 million in 2022, $339 million in 2021, $287 million in 2020 and $282 million in 2019), most of which came from contributions, gifts, and grants.
• Expenses totaled $376 million in 2024, with 68% ($261 million) of revenue spent on compensation, office, fees, advertising and promotion, direct response (mail, tv, and online), travel/conferences and other expenses.
• $55 million (or 14% of revenue) was spent on grants while $64 million (17% of revenue) was spent on program and other provider services and events.
• Wounded Warrior spent $9 million less than the organization raised in 2024, the proceeds od which were added to the general fund.
• Wounded Warrior had net assets of $453 million at year-end September 30, 2024, compared to $390 million at the beginning of the year, with the change primarily due to net unrealized gains on investments.
• In 2024, three key executives including the CEO, CFO, and CIO left the organization.

1,041 employees were compensated $113 million in 2024, which equates to an average compensation of $109,000.  232 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 14 most highly compensated listed below:

• $511,107:  Michael S Linnington, CEO (thru 3/24)
• $390,759:  Jennifer M Silva, Chief Program Officer
• $389,074:  Eric S Miller, CFO (thru 6/24)
• $376,780:  Scott Coster, CIO (thru 8/24)
• $375,275:  Christopher Toner, Chief of Staff
• $370,454:  Chris Needles, Chief Development Officer
• $348,512:  John T Hamre, III, VP Direct Response
• $346,652:  Vilma Consuegra, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
• $335,018:  Jose Ramos, VP Gov’t and Community Relations
• $313,922:  Craig Carroll, CFO (begin 9/24)
• $311,921:  Angela Strohl, VP, Human Resources
• $309,298:  Brea Kratzert, VP, Development
• $292,999:  Tracy Farrell, VP Engagement and Physical Health
• $228,051:  Kathryn Biogiovanni, Secretary and General Counsel

The 14 most highly compensated employees received $5 million in compensation. Controlling for these employees and their respective compensation, means the other 1,027 employees were compensated $108 million, which equates to an average compensation of $105,000.

8 of the 14 (57%) most highly compensated employees are male while 6 (43%) are female.

The most highly compensated employee was Michael Linnington, the CEO who received $511,107 in 2024 and $3 million in compensation from 2018-2024:

Michael Linnington:  Total Compensation 2018-2024:  $3 million

• 2024:  $511,107
• 2023:  $501,673
• 2022:  $487,649
• 2021:  $385,705
• 2020:  $372,166
• 2019:  $313,012
• 2018:  $338,663

57 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five highest reported to be:

• $16 million:  Neuro Community Care, of Wake Forest, NC for independence program
• $ 4 million:  Creative Direct Response, Inc, of Bowie, MD for direct response (fundraising)
• $ 5 million:  Neuro-Rehab Management, of Woburn, MA for independence program
• $ 3 million:  Centerstone Military Services, of Nashville, TN for mental and brain health services
• $ 2 million:  TV Fundraising Solutions, of Lanham, MA for direct response (fundraising)

To read the IRS Form 990 (2023 for the year ending September 30, 2024), click here.