Candid Unveils Extensive Findings on Nonprofit Executive Compensation in the USA
Candid Unveils Extensive Findings on Nonprofit Executive Compensation in the USA
On August 7, 2025, Candid launched its latest study, the 2025 Nonprofit Compensation Report, establishing itself as the most detailed analysis of executive compensation within the social sector to date. This report marks the 25th iteration of its kind and is founded on data sourced exclusively from IRS Forms 990 and 990-EZ. Through the meticulous examination of 217,556 compensation records from 130,794 tax-exempt organizations for the fiscal year ending in 2023, Candid sheds light on crucial compensation trends that shape the nonprofit landscape.
Key Findings and Insights
The report reveals insightful patterns regarding executive compensation based on various factors, including organization size, mission areas, and location. Here are some of the report's most notable findings:
1. Variability by Mission Area
Compensation levels vary significantly across different mission areas. For example:
- - Religion-related organizations reported a median executive compensation of $68,958.
- - Food, agriculture, and nutrition nonprofits saw a median of $109,600.
- - In stark contrast, science and technology research organizations indicated a much higher median of $202,490.
2. Gender Pay Gap Persistent
Unfortunately, disparities in pay between genders remain a critical issue, particularly in larger organizations. Female CEOs in nonprofits with annual budgets exceeding $50 million earned just 75 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. Notably, while women led 58% of nonprofits with budgets under $250,000, their representation drops to 31% for those managing budgets over $50 million.
3. Geographic Disparities
Geographical location continues to have a substantial impact on executive pay. The District of Columbia reported the highest median executive compensation at $189,088, followed closely by states in the Northeast. At the opposite end, Puerto Rico recorded the lowest overall median at $73,600, while among U.S. states, Wyoming had a median of $85,517.
Reina Mukai, senior data services manager at Candid, emphasized the study's importance, stating, "This continues to be the most comprehensive study of executive compensation in the social sector, and the largest to date. The data helps organizations ask better questions and make more informed decisions about executive compensation based on real field information."
The full report further breaks down compensation data by job title, budget size, state, metropolitan area, gender, and mission area, providing an all-encompassing view of nonprofit compensation structures.
Conclusion
The release of Candid's 2025 Nonprofit Compensation Report not only highlights the various disparities present in executive compensation across the nonprofit sector but also serves as a call to action for organizations to pursue equitable practices. By fostering transparency and understanding of compensation trends, nonprofits can work toward greater fairness and accountability.
For additional details on the report, visit Candid's official website, where interested parties can also download sample reports. For media inquiries, contact [email protected].
About Candid
Founded in 2019 through the merger of GuideStar and Foundation Center, Candid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing detailed data and insights about the social sector. By investigating where significant amounts of funding originate and how they are allocated, Candid plays an essential role in enhancing understanding and support of the nonprofit landscape. Explore their wealth of information at candid.org or connect via LinkedIn and Instagram.
Topics General Business）
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