Executive Compensation at the National Geographic Society (2022)
The National Geographic Society (NGS) is a tax-exempt non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization based in Washington, DC that primarily relies on investment income (gains on the sale of investments, dividends, interest, etc), royalties, and contributions for revenue. With $1.5 billion in net assets (down $250 million since last year due to unrealized losses on investments), NGS has the ability to rely on these resources to keep their programs going when contributions, gifts, and grants (roughly $20-$50 million annually) are not enough, and when revenue greatly decreases due to unforeseen circumstances, like the pandemic in 2020. Read more 
Executive Compensation at the National Geographic Society (2021)
When we think of the National Geographic Society (NGS), we often think of the magazine, which according to my childhood friends, was the first magazine they could look through to see naked people. But, the National Geographic Society is so much more than just the magazine. In their own words, they “identify and invest in an international community of explorers: leading scientists, educators, storytellers, conservationists, technologists, and many other change makers who help us define some of the critical challenges of our time….”
The NGS is a tax-exempt non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization based in Washington, DC that primarily relies on investment income (gains on the sale of investments, dividends, interest, etc), royalties, and contributions for revenue. With $1.7 billion in net assets, NGS has the ability to rely on these resources to keep their programs going when contributions, gifts, and grants (roughly $20-$50 million annually) are not enough, and when revenue greatly decreases due to unforeseen circumstances, like the pandemic in 2020. Read more
Executive Compensation at the San Diego Zoo (2022)
The Zoological Society of San Diego is more popularly known, and does business as the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA). A tax-exempt, non-profit conservation organization, and perhaps more widely known for the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SDZWA does not release membership data but the Form 990 reports membership dues were $3.8 million in 2022.
There are 11 independent voting members (trustees) of the governing body (although 12 are listed on the Form 990 due to timing differences), 8 (75%) of whom are male while 3 (25%) are female (note: The 990 does not report gender; determinations were made based on name and google searches). Read more
How Revenue is Spent at the San Diego Zoo (2022)
The Zoological Society of San Diego is more popularly known, and does business as the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) but is often referred to as simply the San Diego Zoo. A tax-exempt, non-profit conservation organization, SDZWA has been advertising in the Wall Street Journal trying to raise funds (total revenue dipped from $422 million in 2019 to $247 million in 2020 but then increased to $356 million in 2021).
There are 11 independent voting members (trustees) of the governing body (although 12 are listed on the Form 990 due to timing differences), 8 (75%) of whom are male while 3 (25%) are female (note: The 990 does not report gender; determinations were made based on name and google searches). Read more
Executive Compensation at NPR (2022)
NPR (National Public Radio) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization that serves as a national syndicator to about 800 public radio stations through its member stations. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NPR strives to keep the public informed of events, ideas, and cultures through its programming.
In 2022, NPR raised $306 million (compared to $288 million in 2021), primarily from program services and contributions, gifts, and grants. Expenses totaled $307 million (not including $8 million in depreciation) with the largest expense being compensation. 1,388 employees were compensated $183 million, which equates to an average compensation of $132,000. However, only 671 employees (48% of total employees) received more than $100,000. Read more
Where Does $100 to NPR Go (2022)?
NPR (National Public Radio) – the radio station that people love to love – is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization that works with its member stations to foster a more informed public by providing a deeper understanding of events, ideas, and cultures.
Based in Washington, DC, NPR is also noteworthy for its on air fundraising although most people would be surprised to learn that public support in the form of contributions, gifts, and grants is not the number one source of revenue. Instead, program service revenue (station programming fees, digital media sponsorships, membership dues from member stations, distribution, and digital services) is the primary source of revenue for NPR followed by contributions, gifts, and grants.
So, if you gave $100 to NPR, how was it spent? $60 went to pay employees, $18 went to buy content and pay representation fees, while $22 was used for office expenses, fees for services by non-employees, advertising and promotion, interest and other expenses. For more detail, read on. Read more
Executive Compensation at United Way (2022)
United Way is one of the most recognizable charitable organizations in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, “United Way” generally refers to United Way Worldwide (formerly United Way of America) and/or one of the 1,100 local offices in 37 countries and territories that operate as separate 501 (c) (3)’s.
United Way Worldwide (UWW) is the leadership and support organization for the whole United Way network. Each organization collects funds and makes grants to local organizations, and also contributes a portion of the revenue collected to United Way Worldwide to support oversight operations. However, UWW also makes grants, primarily back to United Way member organizations. Read more
Where Does $100 to United Way Go (2022)?
United Way is one of the most recognizable charitable organizations in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, “United Way” generally refers to United Way Worldwide (formerly United Way of America) and/or one of the 1,100 local offices in 37 countries and territories that operate as separate 501 (c) (3)’s.
United Way Worldwide (UWW) is the leadership and support organization for the whole United Way network. Each organization collects funds and makes grants to local organizations, and also contributes a portion of the revenue collected to UWW to support oversight operations and grants. UWW, in turn, also makes grants back to member United Way member organizations.
So, if you made a $100 donation to UWW and want to know how your donation was used, the short answer is that about $58 was spent on organization expenses and about $27 was used for grants, while $15 was allocated to the general fund in 2022. Read more
Executive Compensation at the National Restaurant Association (2021)
The National Restaurant Association had a windfall of about $170 million in 2018 when they sold the “National Restaurant Association Show” to a unrelated private company Winsight, LLC – an information services company focused on the food and beverage industry. Consideration received included a promissory note (about $150 million of which $127 million was written off in 2020 and $90 million put back on the books in 2021) and an equity investment in Winsight, LLC. A sponsorship agreement provides annual royalty payments equal to 2% of the gross revenues of the show for 45 years, beginning in 2019. Read more
The Open Secret Colleges and Universities Don’t Want You To Know
In 1984, the average tuition, room and board was about $4,600, which equates to $14,000 in 2024, taking into consideration the inflation rate, which means todays price of tuition, room and board should be about 300% higher than in 1984. But, we all know that isn’t the case.
The average tuition, room and board at a college or university (and it varies depending on whether the school is private or public) in 2024 is about $42,000 – about 900% more than in 1984. Most private schools cost $80,000 – $100,000 annually which makes people – and especially parents – wonder why have the costs of educating our kids increased so dramatically? Read more
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