Executive Compensation at the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society (ACS) was established in 1922 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, although there are 11 geographic divisions. As one of the most recognized non-profits in the country, generating more than $800 million a year and with $1.1 billion (!) in net fund assets, the ACS focuses on making research grants (about $170 million annually or 20% of revenue), providing patient support, prevention programs and education along with disseminating information.
To accomplish the above, ACS reported having 6,679 employees in 2016 at a total compensation cost of $455 million (which equates to an average of $68,000 each). 368 individuals received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 12 most highly compensated individuals listed below: Read more 
Executive Compensation at Harvard
Harvard University (Harvard) is one of the most well-respected institutions of higher learning in the United States and consequently, a popular choice among prospective students. With a 5% acceptance rate (40,000 students apply annually and only about 2,000 are accepted), Harvard is also one of the most competitive undergraduate schools in the country even though the cost to attend is about $65,000 annually ($45,000 for tuition and $20,000 for room, board, and fees).
Harvard is a 501 (c) (3) whose legal name is President and Fellows of Harvard College. There is also Harvard Management Company, Inc. (HMC) – a 501 (c) (3) – whose mission is to provide investment management services to Harvard (managing the $41.9 billion in net fund assets). Both of these organizations are key to understanding the financial aspects of what most people think of as “Harvard.” Read more
Executive Compensation at the V Foundation and Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc.
The V Foundation and Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc. are two separate non-profit 501 (c) (3)’s that can be best described as follows:
V Foundation: Formed in 1993 by Jim Valvano to raise money to fund cancer research; and
Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc.: Formed in 2015 to raise funds for the V Foundation, this organization is the fundraising support arm for the V Foundation.
Although both organizations are separate non-profits,they are related because one exists (Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc.) to support the other (V Foundation). Both organizations operate out of the same office (14600 Weston Parkway) in Cary, NC. Although Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc. reports having no employees, they have compensation related costs because they utilize staff of the V Foundation and reimburse the organization for those costs along with office related and other expenses. Read more
Where Does $100 to the V Foundation Go?
The V Foundation was founded by Jim Valvano, the legendary basketball coach who died in 1993 when he was 47 years old. Based in Cary, North Carolina, the V Foundation was established to raise funds for cancer research so the organization engages in primarily two functions: fundraising and awarding grants. However, it is also important to note that an affiliate organization – Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc. – a non-profit 501 (c) (3) – that operates out of the same office – exists to raise funds for the V Foundation.
It is unclear why Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc. was established (in 2015) to raise funds when one of the two purposes of the V Foundation is to raise funds. Sometimes non-profits form an affiliate organization to focus solely on fundraising so that the primary organization’s fundraising costs appear lower than what they actually are. To fully understand the V Foundation, it is necessary to look at the IRS Form 990’s of BOTH organizations. If both organizations were considered collectively (since Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc. exists to support the V Foundation), then a more accurate picture of revenue and expenses are revealed. Read more
Executive Compensation at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is primarily engaged in raising funds and making grants to further medical research to prevent and cure breast cancer. With 51 employees, BCRF is based in New York City. In 2017, the organization raised $73 million and awarded $59 million in grants, which is about 80% of revenue. BCRF has about $22 million in net fund assets, most of which is unrestricted.
Total compensation-related costs were $6.7 million for the 51 employees, which equates to about $131,000 each. However, 14 individuals received more than $100,000 in total compensation with the most highly compensated individuals listed below: Read more
Where Does $100 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Go?
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) was founded in 1993 as an independent, not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) dedicated to preventing and curing breast cancer by supporting scientific research. Consequently, the organization engages in primarily two functions: raising funds and awarding grants. Based in New York, BCRF has about 51 employees dedicated to these functions and managing the organization. So, the key question becomes: just how much of the revenue raised was awarded in grants? About 80%, according to the most recent financial information.
The Form 990 (2016 representing the year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017) for BCRF reports the following key information with regards to revenue and expenses, grants, assets and liabilities, and fundraising. Read more
Executive Compensation at Donors Choose
Donors Choose is a New York City-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit that connects the public to projects that need funding in public schools.
Founded in 2000 by a history teacher, Charles Best, Donors Choose asks public school staff to post projects that need funding so that the public can choose what they want to help pay for by making a donation. In 2016, the organization raised $121 million, spent $101 million with the remainder added to the net fund assets which had nearly $61 million at year-end.
Donors Choose reported having 199 employees in 2016 but about 40% of these employees were part-time or seasonal workers. At year-end (June 30, 2017) there were 118 full-time employees, 22 of whom received more than $100,000 in compensation with the most highly compensated individuals listed below: Read more
Where Does $100 to Donors Choose Go?
Donors Choose is a New York City-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit that connects the public to projects that need funding in public schools.
Founded in 2000 by a history teacher, Charles Best, Donors Choose asks public school staff to post projects that need funding so that the public can choose what they want to help pay for via their donations (along with a suggested 18-20% donation to the organization (that covers program, management, and fundraising costs although the organization states the reason is to help Donors Choose reach more classrooms) and a $30 fulfillment labor and materials cost and a “third-party processing fee” that goes to Donors Choose to help cover program costs. The process sounds very simple but the From 990 submitted by Donors Choose to the IRS shows the collection and disbursement of revenue is a bit more complicated. Read more
Executive Compensation at Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is a New York City based non-profit organization that raises about $50 million a year. With a focus on advocacy and support for individuals and families affected by autism, Autism Speaks spends about $45 out of every $100 on compensation related expenses.
In 2016, Autism Speaks spent $21.5 million on compensation-related expenses and $10 million on fees for services outside the organization. The $21.5 million was used to compensate 263 individuals which equates to $82,000 each although 49 individuals received more than $100,000 in compensation. The most 13 highly compensated individuals were: Read more
Where Does $100 to Autism Speaks Go?
Autism Speaks – a New York City based non-profit 501 (c) (3) – has come under fire over the past few years for a variety of reasons not least of which is how the organization spends revenue. With 263 employees (in 2016), 49 of whom earn more than $100,000 annually, Autism Speaks is not an organization focused on “curing” autism by awarding research grants (although the organization spent about $7.4 million or 15% of revenue on grants, of which $4.4 million in grants were awarded for science and research grants while $3 million was spent on family services and fellowships). Instead, Autism Speaks is a labor intensive organization working to enhance the lives of those afflicted with autism and their families through advocacy and support. Read more
Paddock Post 