What is the salary of a wounded warrior CEO?

Editorial team Published on

The CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Michael S. Linnington, received a salary of $511,107 for the fiscal year ending through March 2024.

📊 Recent Compensation History

  • 2023: $501,673
  • 2022: $487,649
  • 2021: $385,705

đź’ˇ Context & Overview

  • Budget scale: Manages an organization with over $300M+ in annual revenue and expenses.
  • Public debate: Donor opinions remain mixed_opinions regarding executive pay versus funds going directly to veterans.
  • Leadership transition: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington retired in March 2024, with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walt Piatt stepping into the leadership role.

How much of Wounded Warrior donations go to administration?

The Wounded Warrior Project allocates about 70% of its donations directly to veteran programs and services, leaving roughly 30% for overhead, management, and fundraising.

Breakdown of Spending

  • Program Services: Approximately 70% to 72% goes toward direct programs, mental health support, career counseling, and veteran care.
  • Administration & Management: General management and administrative expenses account for about 6% to slightly under 6% of expenses (or roughly $22 million out of total budgets).
  • Fundraising: Fundraising costs and overhead make up the remaining balance (around 24% according to some independent analyses or combined overhead of ~29%).

Public and Watchdog Perspectives

  • Official Stated Figures: The Wounded Warrior Project states that around 70% of funds support direct services, while the rest supports running and delivering those operations.
  • Independent Watchdogs: Opinions on these metrics vary, as noted in discussions on platforms like Quora where users express mixed views. Some charity evaluation groups note that overhead near 30% exceeds stricter efficiency benchmarks of 75% or higher for programs, though the charity holds high ratings from groups like Charity Navigator following historical reforms.

How much does the CEO of St. Jude's make a year?

The President and CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Dr. James R. Downing, receives an annual total compensation package that typically ranges between $1.8 million and $2.4 million.

According to St. Jude's official tax filings (IRS Form 990), his total compensation broken down by recent fiscal years includes:

  • FY 2024: $2,368,582 base compensation (with total reported compensation from all sources reaching approximately $2,434,190).
  • FY 2023: $1,591,162 base compensation, plus $259,945 in other benefits, totaling $1,851,107.

Note on ALSAC: St. Jude has a separate, highly associated fundraising arm called ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities). The CEO of ALSAC, Richard C. Shadyac Jr., receives a separate annual compensation package of approximately $1.3 million to $1.46 million.

Which charity has the highest paid CEO?

Large non-profit healthcare systems and sports organizations typically pay their CEOs the highest amounts, often exceeding $10 million to $14 million annually.

Highest-Paid Non-Profit CEOs

  • PGA Tour Inc.: Led by Jay Monahan, with total compensation reported near $14.96 million.
  • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan: Led by Gregory Adams, with compensation around $13.84 million.
  • CHRISTUS Health: Led by Ernie Sadau, with compensation near $14.65 million.
  • Providence St. Joseph Health: Led by Rod F. Hochman, earning roughly $11.21 million.

Traditional Charities vs. Health Systems

  • Major public charities (like the World Wildlife Fund or the American Red Cross) generally pay top executives between $400,000 and $1.5 million per year.
  • Organizations at the absolute peak of non-profit pay scales are almost exclusively large hospital networks, health plans, or athletic associations structured as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) non-profits.
  • You can review detailed breakdowns of traditional charity compensation packages through the CharityWatch Non-Profit Compensation Report.

How much of Wounded Warrior Project's donations go to vets?

The Wounded Warrior Project allocates roughly 70% to 72% of its total expenses directly to veteran programs and services, though the organization itself cites higher figures depending on how certain public awareness and educational activities are classified.

Financial Breakdown

  • Program Expenses: About 70% to 72% goes directly toward no-cost programs for veterans, including mental health support, career counseling, and physical wellness.
  • Overhead and Fundraising: The remaining 28% to 30% covers administrative costs, management, and ongoing fundraising efforts.
  • Historical Context: Following high-profile scrutiny in 2016—when watchdogs estimated actual direct aid was closer to 54%–60% due to high spending on conferences and promotional items—the charity underwent leadership changes and operational restructuring. Opinions on Reddit's r/todayilearned and Facebook discussions note that the efficiency ratio has since improved into the low 70% range.
  • Charity Ratings: The Wounded Warrior Project currently holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid. However, some stricter independent monitors like Charities for Vets place overhead caps that rate it lower due to administrative and joint-cost accounting limits.

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How much of the $19 a month goes to wounded warriors?

Approximately 70%—or about $13.30 of a $19 monthly donation—goes directly to program services and support for veterans, while the rest covers operational and fundraising costs.

Financial Breakdown

  • Direct Program Funding: Around 70% or more of your donation funds mental health, career counseling, physical wellness, and rehabilitative programs.
  • Remaining Expenses: The balance covers administrative, delivery, and fundraising efforts (such as the advertising campaigns that promote the $19 monthly tier).
  • Charity Ratings: The Wounded Warrior Project maintains top accountability ratings from organizations like Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau, reflecting standard non-profit spending practices.

How much of St. Jude's donations go to administrative costs?

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital reports that 5 cents of every donated dollar goes toward administrative costs.

Breakdown of Donated Funds

According to official figures provided by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the allocation of every dollar received breaks down as follows:

  • 82 cents supports patient treatment, research, and future operational needs.
  • 13 cents supports fundraising efforts, public awareness, and events.
  • 5 cents covers general administration and overhead costs.

Independent watchdogs like Charity Navigator give St. Jude and its fundraising organization (ALSAC) high marks for financial efficiency, though independent analyses sometimes note that combined totals for broader operational reserves and fundraising can vary depending on how fiscal years and separate entity revenues are tracked.

Does Marlo Thomas get paid from St. Jude's?

Marlo Thomas does not receive a salary or financial compensation from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Role and Contributions

  • National Outreach Director: Marlo Thomas serves in this unpaid volunteer role as part of her family's legacy.
  • Founder's Daughter: Her late father, entertainer Danny Thomas, founded the hospital in 1962.
  • Fundraising: She helped create and lead major campaigns like the annual Thanks and Giving holiday drive, raising billions of dollars for the organization.
  • Expenses: While she does not take a salary, any direct expenses related to her official travel and outreach role may be covered by the hospital.

How much does Shriners CEO make?

The highest-ranking executive at Shriners Hospitals for Children (commonly known as Shriners Children's) is the Executive Vice President, John McCabe, who functions as the operational chief executive. According to tax filings and charity watchdog data, his total annual compensation is $3,976,234.

His total compensation has historically fluctuated around the $1.5 million to $4 million range depending on standard base pay and one-time multi-million dollar supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) payouts.

Key Executive Compensation at Shriners

While McCabe operates as the top professional executive officer, the title of "President" or "Chairman" within the Shriners fraternity network often represents elected, non-salaried positions or receives only nominal compensation:

  • John McCabe (Executive VP / Operational Head): $3,976,234
  • Laurie Spieler (VP, Legal): $1,111,497
  • Frances Farley (Chief Medical Officer): $1,013,173
  • Leslie D. Stewart, M.D. (President): $9,000
  • Richard G. Burke (Chairman of the Board): $0

(Note: Because Shriners operates an extensive network of specialty pediatric hospitals, several local hospital medical Chiefs of Staff and specialized orthopedic surgeons also command high-tier medical salaries ranging from $900,000 to over $1.1 million annually.)

How much does a CEO of the Salvation Army make?

The highest-ranking executive of The Salvation Army in the United States—the National Commander (who fulfills the role of a CEO)—receives a compensation package in the mid-six figures (generally between $200,000 and $260,000).

Because The Salvation Army is structured as a church rather than a traditional corporation, executive compensation operates under a unique framework:

1. The "Officer" vs. Secular Employee Distinction

  • National and Territorial Commanders: The top executives are ordained ministers (officers) within the church. They do not receive a traditional corporate salary. Instead, they receive a financial allowance/remuneration to cover living expenses, along with provided housing (officer's quarters) and basic benefits. Their total base compensation is significantly lower than CEOs of comparable multi-billion-dollar charities (such as the Red Cross or United Way), where executive salaries routinely exceed $500,000 to $1 million.
  • Secular Executives & Local Directors: Some localized listings or internet aggregates cite salaries around $58,000 to $82,000 for "CEOs". These figures usually refer to secular, non-ordained administrators hired to run regional community centers, specific thrift store operations, or local programs rather than the leader of the entire global or national organization.

2. A Low Overhead Compared to Revenue

Given that The Salvation Army manages billions of dollars in annual revenue, thousands of employees, and millions of volunteers, its executive payroll remains remarkably small relative to its total budget. The vast majority of incoming funds go directly to community assistance programs, shelters, and rehabilitation services.