America's highest-paid charity and non-profit organisation bosses

Highest salaries in the third sector

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Many charities have a mission of giving to those in need. So in that context some of the salaries the CEOs of the biggest charities and non-profit organisations take home might surprise you. We take a look at the 22 highest-paid bosses in the so-called 'third sector' in the US, as compiled by CharityWatch.

22) Elizabeth Blackburn of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies: $938,686 (£737,056)

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Elizabeth Blackburn is a scientist, and also the President of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Her most recent annual salary was $938,686 (£737,056) according to US philanthropy watchdog CharityWatch. The Salk Institute undertakes research, particularly into the cause, prevention, and cure of diseases. It also disseminates information on health and wellbeing.

21) Carter Roberts of the World Wildlife Fund: $953,130 (£748,397)

Courtesy of World Wildlife Fund

As President and CEO of the World Wildlife Fund, Carter Roberts oversees the direction of an organisation which seeks to conserve endangered animals, the environment, and our natural world. He last received a salary of $953,130 (£748,397) in return for his efforts, according to CharityWatch.

20) Soledad Gompf of FINCA International: $1,008,323 (£791,735)

Courtesy of FINCA International

Soledad Gompf is both the Senior Vice President and Philanthropic Advisor of FINCA International, a finance and loans organisation that is sometimes called the ‘World Bank for the Poor’. Gompf’s last known salary, according to Charity Watch, takes us over the million-dollar mark, up to $1,008,323 (£791,735).

19) Ron Robinson of Young America's Foundation: $1,016,874 (£798,449)

Courtesy of Young America's Foundation

Ron Robinson is President of conservative American organisation Young America's Foundation, which champions "the principles of limited government, individual freedom, free enterprise, a strong national defense, and traditional values". His latest listed annual salary was $1,016,874 (£798,449), says CharityWatch.

18) Kevin Rudd of the Asia Society: $1,038,572 (£815,486)

Courtesy of the Asia Society

The Asia Society is a charity which seeks to connect people and institutions in Asia and the world in order to increase understanding and maximise international opportunities. The salary of its CEO, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, was most recently at $1,038,572 (£815,486), according to CharityWatch.

17) Brian Gallagher of United Way Worldwide: $1,087,498 (£853,903)

Courtesy of Brian Gallagher/Twitter

United Way Worldwide is an organisation with a mission to pool together charities to improve people’s education, income, and health. President and CEO Brian Gallagher’s own income was $1,087,498 (£853,903) in the last year it was reported, says CharityWatch.

16) Marc H. Morial of the National Urban League: $1,091,806 (£857,286)

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The National Urban League (National Office) works to improve the economic independence and civil rights of African-Americans. Its President and CEO is Marc H. Morial, who was last awarded $1,091,806 (£857,286) in annual salary, according to CharityWatch.

15) Meir Klifi-Amir of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces: $1,106,685 (£868,969)

Courtesy of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces

With an annual salary of $1,106,685 (£868,969), according to CharityWatch, Meir Meir Klifi-Amir is National Director and CEO of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. This charity provides support and services to soldiers who have worked to defend Israel and the Jewish community around the world.

14) Harry Johns of the Alzheimer's Association: $1,172,505 (£920,650)

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Our number 15 best-paid boss is Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association (National Office), for which he received an annual salary of $1,172,505 (£920,650), according to CharityWatch. Based in the US, this charity funds research and care into Alzheimer's disease, provides support and promotes good brain health.

13) Thomas E. Merchant of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: $1,249,628 (£981,207)

Courtesy of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Thomas E. Merchant is Chair of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which researches cures for fatal diseases such as cancer in children. His last reported annual salary was $1,249,628 (£981,207), says CharityWatch.

12) Jonathan W. Simons of the Prostate Cancer Foundation: $1,288,873 (£1,012,023)

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Jonathan W. Simons is an MD and also the President and CEO of the California-headquartered Prostate Cancer Foundation, which is working to eliminate the disease. His annual salary stands at $1,288,873 (£1,012,023), says CharityWatch.

11) Cristian Samper of the Wildlife Conservation Society: $1,320,978 (£1,037,231)

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The Wildlife Conservation Society, initially founded as the New York Zoological Society by a group of people including Theodore Roosevelt, is headed up by Cristian Samper, who is its CEO and President. His last reported annual salary, according to CharityWatch, was $1,320,978 (£1,037,231).

10) Michael Salem of National Jewish Health: $1,342,674 (£1,054,267)

Courtsey of Michael Salem/Twitter

Michael Salem is another MD on our list. He is also President and CEO of National Jewish Health, which is an eminent healthcare institution in Denver. Initially set up to help destitute people suffering from tuberculosis, it now provides care and researches a broad range of conditions. Salem received an annual salary of $1,342,674 (£1,054,267) for his services, according to CharityWatch.

9) Scott A. Blackmun of the United States Olympic Committee: $1,358,212 (£1,066,468)

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Scott A. Blackmun was CEO of the United States Olympic Committee when these salaries were collated. Although he’s no longer in the role, he received $1,358,212 (£1,066,468) in his final year, and it can be expected that, at the next count, his replacement will be in receipt of similar. Blackmun’s salary puts him at number 10 in our top earners list.

8) James W. DeMint of the Heritage Foundation: $1,398,676 (£1,098,240)

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James W. DeMint earned a mint as President of the Heritage Foundation, another US conservative organisation promoting values such as free entreprise and limited government intervention. His last annual salary was $1,398,676 (£1,098,240), says CharityWatch.

7) Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association: $1,433,977 (£1,125,958)

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Wayne LaPierre is CEO and Executive Vice President of the US organisation the National Rifle Association (NRA), which campaigns for gun ownership and against firearms legislation. His most recent annual salary was $1,433,977 (£1,125,958), according to CharityWatch.

6) Edward J. Benz, Jr. of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: $1,503,221 (£1,180,329)

Courtesy of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Edward J. Benz, Jr. is another MD and was in charge of the Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which works to provide care and support research. His final annual salary was $1,503,221 (£1,180,329), according to CharityWatch.

5) Nancy Brown of the American Heart Association: $1,733,963 (£1,361,507)

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At the heart of US charity the American Heart Association is CEO Nancy Brown. She was last paid an annual salary of $1,733,963 (£1,361,507) for her services, according to CharityWatch.

4) Joseph C. Cahoon of the American Cancer Society: $1,959,600 (£1,538,677)

Courtesy of American Cancer Society Florida

Next up is Joseph C. Cahoon, the former Executive Vice Principal of the American Cancer Society charity. His last annual salary with the organisation was $1,959,600 (£1,538,677), says CharityWatch.

3) Arthur Brooks of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research: $2,236,549 (£1,756,138)

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Tipping over the $2 million mark is Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, another conservative organisation which believes in free enterprise and entrepreneurship. He received an annual salary of $2,236,549 (£1,756,138), according to the organisation’s last open accounts, reports CharityWatch.

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2) Robert W. Stone of City of Hope & Affiliates: $2,246,069 (£1,763,613)

Courtesy of City of Hope

The second highest earner in our round-up is Robert W. Stone, President and CEO of City of Hope & Affiliates, with a salary of $2,246,069 (£1,763,613) according to CharityWatch. City of Hope is a California-based not-for-profit research centre and hospital, primarily tackling cancer.

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1) Craig B. Thompson of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: $5,303,958 (£4,164,667)

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And, finally, in the number one spot is Craig B. Thompson, who earns more than double the salary of Stone. As President and CEO of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York City, Thompson received an annual salary of $5,303,958 (£4,164,667), CharityWatch reports. As its name suggests, the centre is focused on the treatment and prevention of cancer.

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