How the Smithsonian Spends Revenue (2023)
The Smithsonian is one of the most well-known museums in the world but you may not know that the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex with 21 museums (9 of which are on the National Mall in Washington, DC, an additional 10 in the DC metropolitan area and 2 in New York City, plus the National Zoo, also in DC and the Smithsonian Gardens, also in DC), and 14 education and research centers. Collectively, these sites are the Smithsonian Institute, a 501 (c) (3), based in Washington, DC.
The most recent IRS Form 990 (2022) for the year ending September 30, 2023 reports the following key information: Read more 
Executive Compensation at the American Bankers Association (ABA) 2023
The American Bankers Association (ABA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (6) organization – “a business league that pushes advocacy, provides education, products, and solutions to its membership and the financial services industry.” In other words, the ABA is a tax-exempt association for banks, savings and loans, and trust companies. Based in Washington, DC the ABA engages in lobbying, works to establish banking standards, and educates the public and its members.
While some people think of non-profits as almost an afterthought, the ABA is anything but insignificant. The ABA raises about $150 million annually, typically spends less than it brings in, and has accumulated more than $600 million in net assets. Read more
Executive Compensation at Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (2023)
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) 3 who “collects charitable donations on behalf of the soldiers of the IDF” in Israel. Based in New York City, FIDF has 20 offices in the United States and Panama with a remarkable ability to not only raise funds but to accumulate nearly $300 million in net assets. Recently criticized for embarking on a major fundraising effort following the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel sparking a war in the Gaza Strip, FIDF claims the $174 million in net assets has been earmarked for other causes but the growth in net assets from $174 million in 2022 to $288 million in 2023 means a substantial amount of funds were saved rather than spent. Read more
Where Does $100 to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Go (2023)?
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) 3 who “collects charitable donations on behalf of the soldiers of the IDF” in Israel. Based in New York City, FIDF has 20 offices in the United States and Panama with a remarkable ability to not only raise funds but to accumulate nearly $300 million in net assets. Recently criticized for embarking on a major fundraising effort following the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel sparking a war in the Gaza Strip, FIDF claims the $174 million in net assets has been earmarked for other causes but the growth in net assets from $174 million in 2022 to $288 million in 2023 means a substantial amount of funds were saved rather than spent. Read more
Executive Compensation at the NRA (2023)
The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (4) organization or what many people refer to as an membership advocacy organization that fights tirelessly for our second amendment rights and pays their executives very well while also paying for first class or charter travel.
The most recent IRS Form 990 (2023) reports the organization employed 496 individuals (compared to 507 in 2022, 521 in 2021, 640 in 2020 and 770 in 2019) who were compensated nearly $41 million, which equates to an average compensation of nearly $83,000. 97 employees (compared to 119 in 2022, 92 in 2021, 107 employees in 2020 and 149 employees in 2019) received more than $100,000 in compensation while the 16 most highly compensated key executives received $7.4 million in 2023: Read more
How the NRA Spends Revenue (2023)
When most people think of the NRA they think of the National Rifle Association of America and the second amendment (“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”) but there are seven (7) separate non-profits that comprise the NRA:
- NRA (National Rifle Association of America): 501 (c)(4)
- NRA Foundation, Inc.: 501 (c)(3)
- NRA Freedom Action Foundation: 501 (c)(3)
- NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund: 501 (c)(3)
- NRA Special Contribution Fund: 501 (c) (3)
- NRA Political Victory Fund: PAC Section 527
- NRA Victory Fund: PAC Section 527
15 Executives Receive $70 million in Compensation at AARP
15 executives of AARP – a tax-exempt, non-profit organization who offers a broad mission: “to empower people to choose how they live as they age” but more specifically focuses on the issues and benefits of those 50 years and older – received $70 million in compensation from 2015-2023. It is important to note highly compensated employees in any of the years 2015-2022 but not in 2023 were not included in the list below: Read more
Executive Compensation at AARP (2023)
AARP – the American Association of Retired Persons – is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization who offers a broad mission: “to empower people to choose how they live as they age” but more specifically focuses on the issues and benefits of those 50 years and older. With an estimated 38 million members who pay $15-$20 annually, AARP is one of the largest non-profit member-based organizations in the country. Read more
How Revenue is Spent at AARP (2023)
AARP – the American Association of Retired Persons – is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization who offers a broad mission: “to empower people to choose how they live as they age” but more specifically focuses on the issues and benefits of those 50 years and older.
With an estimated 38 million members who pay $15-$20 annually, AARP is one of the largest non-profit member-based organizations in the country. However, membership dues are not the main source of AARP’s revenue and expenses are not dominated by member services. Instead, AARP relies primarily on royalties for revenue with expenses dominated by compensation and advertising/promotion.
10 Employees of Geisinger Received $90 Million in Compensation
10 of the most highly compensated employees of Geisinger Health in 2024 (a large integrated healthcare system with an estimated 24,000 employees working in 10 hospitals and numerous medical care facilities that primarily serve the central and northeastern Pennsylvania region. Acquired by Risant Health, Geisinger is now a part of Kaiser Permanente, who counts Risant Health as a subsidiary), received more than $90 million in compensation from 2018-2023: Read more
